Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-13
FOR BETTER SERVICE
Aims of the National Consular
Reform Convention.
IN SESSION AT NEW WILLARD
Large Number of Representative Del
egates Present.
THE OPENING PROCEEDINGS
Suggestions Regarding Selections for
the Consular Office-List Of
Those Present.
THE OPENING PROCEEDINGS

The national consular reform convention
was called to order at tne New Willard IIo-
tel today at noon and will continue in ses
sion through the das and tomorrow.
A national committee consular reform.
having Its birth In tie boards of trade and
chambers Of commerce Of New York. Bos-
ton. Philadelphia, Buffalo, San Francisco,
Chicago ard Baltimore. issued the call for
the convention to every board of trade in
the United States and all kindred organiza-
tlons. asking concurrence IN the effort Tor
consular reform.
Delegates in proportion to the number of
members in each organization have been
sent, and each body has delegated men,
Der for permanent general executive COM
mittee. which committee is to have direct
charge of work looking to Al! reform meas
ures
The principal duty Of the permanent com
mittee will be the effort through their per-
sonal influence and the influence of the
represented organization to further con-
suiar reform through Congress.
Chairman de Lima Explains.
The convention was called to order
promptly at noon by the chairman of the
dFTHnsc IntHlS committee, T.. - a uc I1lHi't,
who explained that the cal! for a national
consular reform convention was issued by
the New York board of trade, the Boston
chamber of commerce the Boston Mer
Grants Association. the Philadelphia board
% trade. the Trades League of Philadel-
phla. the chamber OF commerce of Buffalo.
the New York produce exchange. the cham
Der of commerce Of San Francisco the
Baltimore chamber OF commerce, the Manu-
facturers' Association OF New York he
board OF trade OF the city OF Chicago and
the National AssoCia lion of Manufacturers
of the United States OF America.
Mr.. Dc Lima spoke OF the reforms which
81 IS sought to bring about in the consular
service. The appointments, he said. should
moi he with reference TO any political quail
rcations, but that the selection of consul5
should be made with regard to their special
fitness 10 perform the duties devolv1ng
upon the consulates. Consuis. he said,
should know international law and have
some knowledge Of the language spoken at
their respective posts and should be IA
miiar with the trade conditions and COM
Iuerce of the United States that they may
ba able TO promote the best interest OF the
nited States abroad.
Temporary Organization.
Charles a. Schieren Of New York was
appointed temporary chairman and Frank
S. Gardiner of New York secretary.
After taking the chair Mr.. Schieren said:
The question OF consular reform Is one
OF vital Importance to the commercial in
terests OF our country, While In the main
our consular service has been much i'm
proved still many reforms are needed to
make the service more usefuA to our for
eign trade.
Manufacturers are anxious to open trade
relations IN the markets of tie world and
Introduce their goods abroad; they need
specific information from reliable repre-
seutattves Of our government.
There should be more comprehensive
understanding of the requirements of the
consular service, which will place IL on a
more satisfactory basis and induce greater
efficiency than We have at present
From personal observation and acquaint-
huce with many consuls abroad / believe
tHat Ia Intelligence and faithful perform
Hncc OF duty our COuSuis compare well
with those of other nations. However we
should strive to improve this standard and
endeavor TO obtain adequate compensa ton
for our consuls, which compensation seems
10 be at present meager
This convention, representing the lead
Ing commercial interests of this country is
called for the purpose of carefully consid-
ering the subject and urging Congress to
adopt measures which Will prove beneficial
10 the consular service
While the committee on credentials look
Ell into the papers Of the delegates Repre-
sentative Wiley of New Jersey gave infor-
mally his personal experiences as To the
differences between the consular service of
the United States and foreign countries
The faults OF the service are due he sid
10 the lack Of training for the service
The Delegates Present.
The organizations represented and dele
gates who have reported follow:
American Chamber of Commerce of Paris.
Frsnee-Bernard Shoninger and Arthur
huhn- American Protective Tarin League,
New York, n. Y.-Charles A. Moore and
a
Trade-F'rank d. La lame National Cit
liens Alliance-John G. Bovd NatfonaI
RANT Oil and Varnish Association-T,ouIs
L. Drake- National Association OF Manu-
G 5SctuEers OF United States OF America
George H. Barbour. Detroit Mich @ II
smith. Aurora, Ill; Charles Steinwav and
!. W. S!vyer, Milwaukee Wis Hide and
Leather Association Of New York-A.
Aagustqs Healy. Oscar scherer. Col. Eu-
gene u. Conklin, n BIUmenthal and 7.
fIo"enle!d OF New York. Morocco Man
uleStureIs national Association Alfred
Blrk and Gsorge II McNeely. Philadelphia.
IA National Association OF Credit Men
J. Harry Tregoe. Baltimore. Md. Yellow
flne Manufacturers Associatiou-J ri
linton. Lumberton, Miss. and {. / Mil
lard and George X Smith ST Inuis No
Commercial Law League of America Irra6
cTick L. Siddons, Washington. ID. G: Lind
say Russell. New York city; Samilel w
1oUoper, Philadelphia. Pa: Jo. Lane stern.
FIchmond, Va; Robert S Gill Baltimore
Nd. ana Elt H. Chandler Atlantic CITY.
y. J. American Warehousenen's Assocfs
ton = Represented by its president vice
president and chairman of its executive
committee. SILK Association of America-Col
thas. +. Homer, New York n Y National
wholesale Druggists Association-F a
Ischineley. jr., Washington D. C-IrnIted
states Export Assoctation-F B Thurher
New York, y. Y. Commercial Club Biz.
mingham. Ala.-James Weatherly CHAIR
man. Sterling A Wood. Culpepper Fxum
Truman II Aldrich and Ross 81
Smith. Chamber Of Commerce Hunts
vile. Ala-William Richardson Little
Rock board OF trade. Little Rock Ark
James Z. Clark, United States senator. and
Charles c. Reid, member of Congress
ChamaST OF commerce San Francisco Cal
William NJ. Bunker Ship Owners Asso-
ciauOn of the Pacific Coast San Francisco
taL-William NJ. Bunker. Santa Cruz
board OF trade. Santa Cruz. Cal Los An
geles chamber OF commerce Los Angeles
CaL-James McLachlau. and r. Woodland
Gates Business Mems Associatio,, Vyash