New-York tribune., 1907-01-04
ROOT ASKS MORE MONEY.
Fauors Higher Salaries for Some
american Ministers.
[From The TrIhune Rureau. ]

Washington Jan 3--The desire Of some Of the
ministers in the diplomatic service the United
States that their salaries be raised from $3.50 TO
10000 In order to meet the social demands that
are made on them, will be seconded by Secretary
Root who Will appear before the House Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs time In the coming
week.
The subcommittee which is at present working
on the Diplomatic Appropriation bin IS favorably
disposed toward some OF these increases, but is
desirous OF hearing the Secretary Of State before
approving increase for all ministers now
ceiving $500 Thess ministers stationed in
Denmark, Morocco, Norway. Paraguay and Uru-
quay, Portugal Rumania and Servia Sweden
Switzerland. Greece and Montenegro. Bolivia. Ecua-
dor, HaytL Persia and Siam. Mr. Root contends
that the compensation at present received by these
officers is inadequate TO meet the increased cost
OF living. and that they are unable represent the
United states in manner TO meet the require
ments OF their position without persCsal pecunary
loss.
He has sent 70 Congress letters from some Of
the ministers giving their for asking more
money. For instance. Herbert r. d. Peirce formerly
Third Assistant Secretary OF State and now Min
ister TO Norway. writes that having been at this
post nearly two months, / able form a fair
idea OF the conditions here and Of what Is ucum-
bent upon minister regards his scale Of Hv-
Ing and consequent expenditure" and asks that
his salary be placed less than Sl091. He
says the ministers OF Germany. Austrt-fIungary.
Denmark. Spain. France. Great Britain italy, the
Netherlands. Russia. Sweden, Portugal and Siam
receive salaries much in excess Of his own and
that they entertain upon a scale which ne cannot
hope To emulate.
Other ministers OF the United States are not less
fnsistent Hamilton King. Minister TO SIAM re
places in the East to live IN and says the British
Minister has already had the promise or an in
crease from 500 10 $1,000. lie complains that the
Minister 70 Guatemala receives $1,000. while NV-
ING EXPENSES are much cheaper than in Bangkok.
Mr.. King declares that the cost OF living in the
latter place Is 10 per cent greater than In Toxic.
Charles II. Graves has sent word from Stockholm
That he has rented an apartment. after agreeing 10
pay 20 per cent more than the former tenant, and
that he has purchased furniture which he viii have
70 sell at auction at loss when he leaves his post.
7. J. OsBrien. Minister Denmark. writes to Mr..
Root that his outlay for the last and half has
been double his salary. No live In either
Denmark. Sweden Norway In proper manner
on a smaller salary than $1,000 he says. 4
should consider II misfortune for any TO ac-
cept either place II his income must be limited 10
the present government allowance
Mr.. Root viii urge the subcommittee to incor-
porate In ths bill increase of $4,000 in the present
lump appropriation of 100000 for consular clerks.
These clerks formerly received part Of the fees
of consuls, but now that the fee system has been
only Americans. the demand for higher pay has be
come more urgent. Mr.. Root, therefore, asks Il
larger appropriation In order that he may distribute
II wherever he thinks necessary, though IN
given instance Congress may have stipulated
that specific sum be paid There will be some
opposition 10 this in the committee The imueui-
ate purchase of the building and grounds now occu-
pied by the American Legation al Teheran, Persia,
will also be asked by Mr.. Root.