The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1905-09-15
The STATE DEPARTMENT.
TO be Rcorganizcd by Score
tary Root.
EFFICIENT MEN NEEDED.
Hay was Good Diplomat But
Poor Housekeepef.

WEEKLY LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
The President has followed up the
excellent appointment Of Elihu Root
/ as Secretary OF State by selecting
Roocrt Bacon OF New York for First
Assistant Secretary, vice Francis B.
LouInls, resigned. Mr.. Bacon, al
though q comparatively young man,
has had wide business experience,
having been for a considerable time a
partner Of J. p. Morgan. and will
bring to the State Department an
executive ability OF which 1t stands
greatly in need. In fact, the appoint
nent Of Mr.. Bacon Is believed to
indicate that Secretary Root purposes
to effect a material reorganization of
the department.. q wedding out Of the
dca,i wood aud the institution Of up
to-date business methods both Of
which are essential to the welfare
and efficiency OF this. the highest OF
the federal departments. Mr.. Hay
was a good diplomat but very poor
housekeeper, aud the way he tolerat-
cd inefficient bureau chiefs and clerks
would be scandulous Il 1t were widely
known.
The fact that the State Depart
meat stands in need Of general over.
hauling Is not a reflection on the late
Secretary Hay who was diplomat Of
the tlrst order and SO recognized
throughout the world. 1t was to the
larger policies that Mr. Hay devoted
his attention and properly so, but, be
aever enjoyed the advantage OF hay-
iGS as able assistants as should have
been assigned to him, Mr.. Loomis
who has just resigned, never seemed
possessed OF that executive ability
which the Department SO seriously
required. Assistant Secretary Addee
while master OF the nlcetles OF dip
lomatlc phraseology and possessed Of
an exceptional knowledge Of diplo-
matte precedents, never pretended to
exercise any supervision over the
interior workings Of the Department
aud the third assistant Secretary,
Herbert II. D. Peirce, had never
proved Of the slightest use to Secre-
tarY Hay or to the Department In
any way whatsoever. Under these
circumstances It was but natural
that the business side OF the Depart
ment should suffer and it will fall to
Mr. Bacon to revise.its methods and
Its personnel and to place on sound
business basis, q work which he is
certain tu have not only the cordial
support but the invaluable assistance
VI Secretary Root
One OF the most pressing needs Of
the State Department. consists OF a
thorough reorganization OF the COLI
sulsr service, the abolition Of politi'
cal influence as a criterion for ap
po!ntment and promotion and tht
substitution OF a merit system. This
cannot be accomplished, OF course, b,
the Secretary Of State or by any o.
bis assistants without the sanction o
Congress, but the skill which Secre
tary Root displayed IN securing from
Congress the legislation necessary Il
the perfection Of his plans for reor
panlzlug the War Department, organ
Ring the General Stat, establishing
a athorough system Of military edu
cation for the younger officers ant
The PERFECTION OF a sane system o
organ!zatiou for the militia augur
we'll for his success in securing tn
cooperation OF the national legisla
lure 10 those reforms which he vii
doubtless seek to effect IN the diplo
matte aud consular. services. Tn
iorelGp trade Of the United States
increasing daily and should continu
10 DO SO at a rapid rate during tn
next few decades and the time ha
passed when the business interests G
'lls country abroad can safely be lei
70 The tender mercies Of the ware
'eeler or the political boss who ha
armed the right to "recognitiun" b
VS. party, II they ever could.
The removal by the President