Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-13

ries and allowances which they receive
particularly as they are compelled to hire
a house to live in. Almost every nation in
the world except the United States, pro-
vides official residences for it's diplomatic
and consular representatives, and 1t would
be economy for us to do so. The expenses
of living have more than doubled since the
salaries of our representatives were fixed;
rents have advanced in every city in the
world. The cost OF living has increased
everywhere-rent, food, clothing, servants.
fuel and light, and every other household
eXpenSe-is from 30 to 100 per cent greater
than 1t was twenty years ago
We own one legation only, and that Is In
China It was built with a congressional
appropriation since the Boxer troubles. We
own very valuable and convenient piece
OF ground in Toxic, which was presented
to us by the Japanese government. But
Congress refused to appropriate money to
Duild legation on 1t, and the man who
happened to be minister there at the time
of presentation erected one at his own
expense, from which he has been receiving
an annual income of $4,000 In the way OF
rental ever since. The building has paid
for itself many times over.
In Turkey, China, Siam and other orr
entail countries it is always difficult to
find building for legation, because most
or the houses are planned after the native
style and are not adapted for the use of
Americans. | believe there is only one
building in all Constantinople that can be
rented for legation purposes. Mr.. Lesh-
urged our government to purchase 1t, be-
cause, If the Italian widow who now owns
the property should sell It to some one
else 1t would be impossible to get another
place ana our minister would have to rent
rooms in hotel. Every other nation owns
Its legation in the capitals of the world,
ana In almost every case its consulat es
also. 1t Is not only matter of dignity
and convenience, but a measure of econ
omy. Congress. however. has Invariably
refused to make appropriations for this
purpose
In nearly every consulate 1t Is necessary
to employ a foreigner-a native OF the
country-to serve as clerk, because the
salary is so small that no American can
AFFORD to accept the position. Half OF the
clerks at United States consulates through
out the world receive less than 5000 a year
as full compensation for their services
Many of them receive only $500. That is
the salary of the clerks in the consulates
at several important capitals, and such
positions are almost all held by intelli-
gent, faithful, efficient men-natives of the
countrywide are trying to exist and edu-
cate their families ON that income.
Permanent Corps Urged.
Secretary Root recommends a permanent
consular corps, with fixed salaries and
promotion for merit. In other words, he
wants the higher positions to be filled by
the promotion of those who have shown
themselves competent and useful in lower
positions. He also recommends the pas
sage of a law forbidding consuls to coll
lect fees. That should have been done
years ago. No official OF the government,
at home or abroad, should be allowed TO
charge fee or any pay for any service
in connection with his Office, and his SAL
airy should be increased so that he would
not find it necessary. The permission 10
charge fees has continually provoked scam
dals. Scarcely a month passes without
some consul being accused of extortion, and
not long ago, when certain consul was
charged with blackmalling. he confessed
that he was compelled to resort to that
method In order to raise enough money
TO pay his living expenses. The government
paid him no salary but permitted him 70
charge fees for services rendered. AS HIS
legitimate revenues were not sufficient 10
pay his actual expenses he was compelled
10 resort to Hlegitimate measures to In
crease his income.
Formerly the fee system was very much
more liberal than 1t Is at present The per-
quisites of the consular corps have been
curtailed several times, until they are now
down to d minimum There has been no
corresponding advance In salaries, however
which is a grave injustice. All fees should
be abolished and salaries should be ad-
vanced to $3.50 per annum or more, ac-
cording to the Importance Of the position.