The Washington times., 1906-03-16
Secretary Roots New Client.

ment of State. When Mr.. Root was
Secretary of War he set for himself
the task of reorganizing the army.
The need OF reform had been agitat-
ed since the civil war, but until Mr..
Roots incumbency nothing was
done. He went to Congress with a
comprehensive scheme. Defeated in
his first struggle at the Capitol, he
returned, nothing daunted. at the
next session. and his cause triumph
ed. When asked how he succeeded.
where many Of his predecessors had
failed, he replied:
Il took the army for my client;
that is all
Secretary Root has now taken the
consular service for his client The
service, he says, is in something
the same condition that a law office
in my native village In central New
York would be in if a big city prac-
tice was dumped down on ii. with
out any organization to deal with
It. The increase of wealth in the
country has been such that the
foreign travel has enormously In
creased. The investments of Amer
lean money in foreign countries are
increasing with very great rapidity.
Genuine Investments, substantial
business enterprises, are being en-
tered upon by Americans all over
the world, and American trade is be-
ing pressed through every open door,
and every crack and crevice that il
can push into all over the world.
The result is that both our diplo-
matte and our consular officers have
very great demands for service of
real value, and there is growing UP
all over the country very great de-
mand for consuls who will really aid
materially in pushing American trade
interests, in furnishing to American
producers that information about
the possible field OF trade extension
which they lack. because they are
here and the field is in a foreign
country. and who viii be of material
assistance TO them and TO their
agents in pushing their trade.
Considered as business estab-
lishment, the consular service has
been left behind. and with this enor-
nous increase OF business It seems
10 me about time that the same
principles that have been applied
10 the great business corporations.
against which we have such animos-
ity, should be applied TO our own
business"
The Secretary Of State did not go
10 Congress for consular reform
without definite and comprehen-
sive plan. Senator Lodge was the
author" of the bill. but its provi-
sions embodied the conclusions care
fully worked out, after careful study,
by Mr. Root The Secretary's first
aim was 10 get thoroughly compe-
tent men. Provision was made,
therefore, that appointments to the
consular service should only be
made to the lower grades; that they
should be made after examination,
which should include lat least one
modern language other than Eng
lish, and the commercial resources
and business of the United States,
especially with reference to the pos
abilities OF increasing and extend
ing the trade of the United States
with foreign countries" and that
the ages of twenty-one and forty. In
the British service the limitations as
10 age are twenty-one and twenty
seven wears.
The first thing the Senate did was
, 20 strike out all of the provisions
relating 10 appointments and eligibil-
ity. The practice that now obtains
places the appointing power practi-
cally In the hands of members OF
Congress who are unwilling TO sub
ject their sppolntees TO an "educa-
tional test" much less TO one relat-
ing to age The House has also struck
out the provisions of the bill which
authorized the President, in an
emergency, TO reclassify a consular
office, and to transfer a consul from
one post 10 another; the theory of the
House being that it was part of the
perfected plan whereby the upper
grades were to be filled entirely by
promotion on merit.
What remains after this process OF
-masculation? II is purely a measure
TO better the administration of the
service. The evil-breeding fee system
is abolished. Five inspectors OF con-
sulates, TO be designated and commits
stoned as consuls general at large,
are. provided. They are TO be paid an
annual salary Of $1,000. together with
the!r travelling and subsistence ex-
penses: and they are to be appointed
from the service. These officials will
inspect consular Offices. and when
ever the President has reason TO be-
Have that 10 ftrcf Of