The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-02-20
HONOLULU IS
HEARD FROM
Chamber of Commerce
Supports Consular
Reform Bill.

! Inc Honolulu Chamber of Commerce
hereby indorses and approves tbs
Lodge bill or other bills whose object
is the reorganization of the consular
| service of the United States. and favors
early action thereon. believing that the
passage OF said bills Will materially as
sist IN the development of the foreign
| trade of this country"
In the Chicago Evening Post of Feb
ruary 1 appears a symposium of en-
dorsements, by commercial and indus
| trial organizations, of the aggressive
| campaign for consular reform being
| carried on by the National Business
League. The paragraph quoted above
is the contribution of our Chamber OF
Commerce. 1t is amidst the company of
the Massachusetts State Board of
Trade, the Detroit Board of Commerce,
the Manufacturers and Prcdueers' As
ISOLATION of California, the PhiladeI-
phia Board of Trade, the Northwest
Fruit Growers Association, the Balti-
more Chamber of Commerce and Inc
Chicago Board of Trade.
The Baltimoreans passed resolution
impressing upon Congress the neces-
sity of action this session by the pas
sage of the Lodge, Adams or a similar
bill, providing for suitable compensa-
ton, proper classification with chance
for promotion, permanency of tenure
and provision for inspection; also rec
ommends that all fees collected be paid
to the treasury, and in lieu thereof
government employees to receive a sala-
ry commensurate with their ability and
position"
The Massachusetts body reaffirms the
position it took by resolution on March |
8, 1902, and, in urging upon the rep
resentatives of that State in Congress |
the early consideration of pending |
measures seeking the end, presents the |
following views
The personnel of our representatives |
abroad is not so much a subject of |
criticism as is the frequent lack of ft-
ness and unfamiiiarity of business
methods, which is a necessary incident |
of our present unbusinesslike system of |
selection.
"A grasp of business methods and the
ability to judge intricate business
problems; the ability to gather valuable
and return exact and compre-
hensive business information; to under
stand the rules and regulations of the
marine service; to advance CONNER
ciaI relations and to retain those regu-
ations when secured; that he have
with the history and lam
suage of the country to which he is
and be wen grounded in the
political. Industrial and commercial his
DRY of his own country are necessary
'equisites of an ideal consul.
ITO obtain the best material. the
salaries should be fixed, and not de-
pendent upon fees; selections should be
made through fitness and merit, rather
han political influence; promotion
should be made from class to class as
IN incentive to better work and as a
'eward for faithful service; the tenure
hould continue during efficient service,
md not be dependent upon the change
II an adirinistration at home.
This can be brought about only
through a complete reorganization of
he service; the establishment of COM
oetitive examination; and the retention
II the service of tried officials whose
aihful work should render their SER
ices more and more valuable with each
uCceeding year"