The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-09

house hunting expedition, and the local
landlords, knowing this. are quick TO take
advantage Of the situation. AZ n place
an American Ambassador was recently
asked 10 pay double what his predecessor
had paid, and a. he was not willing TO do
this, he Ia still living at a hotel.
There are not many suitable buildings
from which TO. select. and our representa-
tive Is at tho mercy Of those who control
The limited supply. Diplomatic require
ments are such that the embassy must be
centrally located and sufficiently com
modiOus TO enable the Ambassador or
Minister TO return the courtesies which he
receives.
Small apartments are numerous. and
there are a few palaces which can be- rented,
but the former are not large enough and
the latter much larger thar necessary.
Our Government ought tn own a build-
ing conveniently located and suitable for
the Offices and home Of the Ambassador.
II must either do this or choose between two
systems. both Of which are bad. namely,
compel the representative to spend more
than his salary for house rent or continually
increase the salary Of diplomatio repre-
sentativcs TO keep pace with tho growing
rent in the capitals OF tho world.
Evils OF TBE PRESENT SYSTEM.
To throw the burden upon the Govern
ment's representative IN u~ndemOcratic. To
risk constantly increasing rent liz false econ
omy. II In not in harmony With Our theory
Of government to have an important branch
Of the public service open to rich men only.
and that is tia case under no present
system.
No poor man ran afford to accept an
appointment as an American Minister or
Ambassador 10 any OF the principal coun-
tries ot Europe. and as the years 60 10y the
expense Of a diplomatic residence will
become greater A the value ~ urban
property increases.
While the telegraph and the Gable have
somewhat decreased the responsibility AZ
the foreign representative by bringing him
into closer contact with the home Govern
ment. still much depends upon the ability.
the sagacity and tho discretion of those
whom We SEM abroad. Our Government
ought To he in II position to select from the
whole citizen body those most competent
for tho work To he intrusted to them. and
it goes without saying that efficiency in the
public service Is not measured by the amount.
VI UNlANy NAA MI 'h' INV
inherited or accumulated.
There ia another argument in favor 81
the building 81 permanent embassy luild-
ings which ought "a have weight with our
people. If diplomatic representatives are
chosen only from those who are able To
spend more than their official incomes
il naturally follows that some will be richer
thar others and that the establishments
maintained will differ in expensiveness.
In fact, experience has shown that a new
representative is sometimes embarrassed
by the lavish expenditures Of a preceding
one.
The standing Or our nation abroad de
msnds that our Ambassadors and Minister'S
shall 1--we in n style In keeping with our ideas,
and extravaganza is as offensive as parsi-
moDy. by owning it's own embassy build.
ings our Government can regulate the
standard Of living and entertainment of
those who represent il at foreign courts.
There is no doubt that our nation must
ultimately rome TO this plan, and the sooner
II adopts It, the better.