Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-09
DEMAND5FR REFORM
EFFORT To@aHRvE CoNsULAR
SERVICE KEoohGANIzED.
Meeting of Representatives of National
Chambers 81 Commerce and
Boards ofsTrade.

A meeting of more than usual Importance
was held in the Rooms of the washington
Board of Trade. in the Star building, this
afternoon at O'Clock, when the members
of the national committee of the chambers
of commerce and boards of trade of the
country assembled to discuss the re-or-
ganization of the consular service. The
national committee was formed some time
ago for the purpose of pressing upon Con-
gress the urgent necessity for the purpose
stated The head OF the committee is Mr..
Harry A. Garfield OF Cleveland, Ohio Mr..
Garfield is son OF the late President Gar
field. and his brother IS civil service COM
missioner.
Mr. Garfield presided at the meeting OF
the committee today. The members met be-
hind closed doors, as. their discussion was OF
matters of technical character almost en-
tirely. but Mr.. Garfield made a statement
of the objects Of the organization to Star
reporter. He said it was the purpose of the
business men of the country to secure some
sort of a reform in the present consular
system. Mr.. Garfield said he did not wish
to complain against those who are at pres
ent in office. some of whom have been OF
untold value to the business men of the
country, but the system of their appoint
ments did not insure the choice of those
well qualified to fill the position, nor does it
create an ambition among young men to
enter the service and remain in it. It is to
remedy these evils and place the service on
a more permanent basis that the committee
is working, and to urge this matter on Con-
gress is what brought it here.
Composition Of the Commission.
The national committee is formed from
thirteen chambers OF commerce, boards OF
trade In thirteen cities in the country.
Owing to circumstances over which they
have no control, the delegates from three
of the cities-St. Louis. New Orleans and
Philadelphia--were unable to attend the
meeting held this afternoon but ten others
Of the principal cities Of the country were
represented. including Washington. During
the proceedings the Lodge and Adams bills,
int reduced in the Senate and House, respec-
lively, were fully and freely discussed.
There are some features in both Of these
bills to which exception is taken by the
members Of the committee, but 1t will not
insist on the elimination Of such matter II
such elimination stands in the way of the
enactment of law. 1t is the intention and
purpose of the committee to effect the re-
organization they seek as quickly as pos
sible and to see that Congress shall view
the matter as the business man views it.
General John W. Foster of this city, ex-
Secretary of State, was present at the
meeting delegate from the local Board
of Trade. He gave his views on the ques-
ton at issue, which are similar to those
of the other members Of the committee.
General Foster promised his hearty CO.
operation in the movement that Is under
way. Others present made similar state
ments. and the bills were freely dissected.
Those present were Messrs. w. r. Cor
wine and George Frederick Victor Of the
chamber of commerce of New York, Mr..
Collin c. Vincent Of the chamber Of COM
merce Of Baltimore, Md; Mr.. ]. K. Lesson
of the chamber Of commerce Of Boston,
Mass; General John w. Foster and Messrs.
s. w Woodward, John Joy Edison and B.
H Warner of the Washington Board Of
Trade; Messrs. H.5A. Garfield. W. E. Cush-
ing and F. A. Scott Of the chamber Of
commerce of Cleveland, Ohio; Colonel John
w. Ella and Messrs! n. H. RevelI and l..
W. Noyes Of the National Business Mems
League of Chicago, FL Mr.. F. Howard
Mason OF the merchants exchange Of Buff
falo, n. Y; Messrs. Fl. K. Porter, James
H. Wilcox and George H. Anderson of the
chamber of commerce OF Pittsburg, Pa;
Mr.. j. T. McHugh Of the chamber Of COM
merce of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mr.. VIII
liam NJ. Bunker of the chamber Of COM
merce Of San Francisco, Cal. The officers
Of the national committee are: Harry A
Garfield of Cleveland. Ohio, president: Gus
tav A. SchWab of New York, first vice
president: Colonel John W. Ella Of Chicago
ILL.,. second vice president, and F. A. Scott
of Cleveland, Ohio, secretary and treasurer