The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-15
CONSULAR REFORM
SECRETARY ROOT ADDRESSES THE
 GATHERING.
Later Delegates Call At the White House, Where President ROOse- welt, In An Address, Endorses
 Their Work.

Washington, March I4.--Soon after the consular reform convention con-
 vened today. Secretary Root was ih- l troduced. He assured the convention that the government welcomed most gratefully the interest of citizens in
 every branch of activity. It Is not pos sible he said for the servants of the people to conduct the affairs of the government successfully unless the people take an interest in them. Continuing Secretary Root said the consular service at present was a most
 uneven one having grown out of the time when the people were expending
 their energies at home. A great many men were appointed Co the service he
 continued who were good illustrations
 of the best duality of American people strong, keen, active and intelligent
 men--fond of work and desirious of do- ing good work. Many others, he said,
 sought the places because they were tired of the conditions under which they were living or had failed in the busi- ness in which they were engaged or wanted the places in order to rest or educate their children abroad. Thus
 he said, there were two classes The increase of wealth of the American people is showing itself in pushing out
 In trade all over the world he said. The secretary said that a new strain has come on the consular service and
 that every consular officer ought to be an interpreter of his own people to those to whose country he had been
 sent, and an interpreter to his own peo- pie from those countries in which he
 may be a consul. They ought to be giving information to the people at home
 of the opportunities abroad.
 Continuing the secretary said we
 want service manned by men who
 have not burned out the fires or the ambitions of their lives.
 The Secretary said Congress was now dealing with the subject saga
 ciously and effectively. He hoped the convention would give Congress sup port in its efforts and help carry the bill now before that body through. The convention unanimously adopt ed the following report of the com l mittee on resolutions:
 | To the Senate and House of Represen- tatives of the United States of | America, in Congress assembled: | Your petitioners the National Con-
 sular Reform Convention consisting of l accredited delegates from the business l organizations. whose names are here | onto attached. and representing several | hundred additional commercial bodies, l respectiveIy urge that it is of imme- diate and vital importance 10 the com
 mercial welfare of the United States
 that our consular service be placed | on a plane which comports with the 1 dignity and the increasing need of the l country.
 The rapid development of our agri- | cultural and industrial interests de-
 mand that we acquire a much larger share of the worlds trade than that which we control today.
 If the enterprise, the initiative, the ability and the resources of our peo- pie were supplemented by the assist ance in foreign markets which can be given by a body of thoroughly efficient
 consular representatives. 1t Is unques- tionable that it would facilitate In no small measure the efforts of the Unit ed States to achieve that prominence
 in foreign trade which they have in other directions.
 Unless we have that assistance, however, the department of our for eign commerce will be seriously re-
 tarded to the great detriment of our people.
 Tt is the opinion of the the consti- tuent bodies of this convention that the consular service of the United States should be reorganized as pro- vded for in the Senate bill introduced by Senator Lodge.
 ! "Your petitioners regret that some