The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-24
American Consular Service

While abroad recently I ran across
several United States consuls. and I was
much impressed by what one or two
told me-" said Washingtonian in an
uptown hotel this morning. while com
menting upon his trip to a Washington
Star man.
I'm this country consulship is con-
sidered among the cream OF political
plums, and to large extent this popu-
lar impression is well founded, as 1t re-
quires at all times the strongest kind
of administration influence to pull one
down. In certain degrees, however, this
Importance does not attach abroad, where
1t Is recognized that our consular service
lacks In well known essentials advan-
tages which are possessed in the service
of other countries. In brief, with a few
exceptions. the pay is insufficient, and
II the quarters and appurtenances u.s.
ually maintained by our consuls were In
dicative of the real wealth, breadth,
population, power and greatness Of the
United States, the United States as a
country might be considered to a for
eigner about as large territorially and
otherwise as the state of New York.
Except in the instances which 1 will
give you to serve as examples, our con-
sulships are much overrated, save as a
change of place of residence, as the sal
aries are not nigh and the cost of liv-
ing is such that saving is out of the ques-
ton, as the position carries with it a
certain dignity as the nations CONNER
cial representative. which must be. and
usually is, maintained.
"As I have never seen the consulate
separated into classes, I have prepared a
few facts and figures from official sources
which will be found to be Of general In
terest, since there would appear to be a
misapprehension as regards fees, official
and notarial. salaries. etc.
In general terms, there are forty con-
sulates general. 2O4 consolidated and ten
commercial agencies carrying salaries
The incumbents of these latter offices
are not permitted to engage in business,
and thirty-eight consulates and sixteen
commercial agencies paying fees where
the incumbents may engage in business
or 31s United States consulates and COM
mercial agencies in all.
THE highest salaried United States con-
sulate, I believe, is at Bangkok, SIAM
carrying a salary of $500, but the Consul
is also Minister Resident
1.-THE official fees are turned into the
treasury, but the consul may retain the
notarial fees, which at some consulates
are very heavy. nearly equaling the sal
airy, sometimes exceeding 1t, and at others
of slight Importance where no salaries
are paid the consul retains all fees, and
the lowest salary is $1,000 The remaining
offices retain fees. Thus, while the salary
sui general at Paris, France is $4,000, his
notarial fees are but s4O4. Jumping to
the other extreme, t4ie salary of the con-
sui general at Paris, rance, is $4,000, his
notable fees ss92s, making his total in
come about $4,000 year while his Off
cial fees were $5S,OOO the latter going into
the treasury. Under the old system of
retaining all fees this office, and that
of the consul general . t London, were
rich prizes to their incumbents.
There are ten United States consult
ships paying a salary of $4,000 a year. In
Great Britain the London consulship car
ries this salary with $3.50 notarlal fees
and $59,740 official fees. London with
Paris, yield the largest sums in official
fees to the government, and the largest
incomes in salaries and notarial fees to
the incumbents. The consulship at Lfv-
erpool. however, pays salary of S500O
with notarial fees of s564O Manchester.