New-York tribune., 1907-10-06
LONDON NOTES.
Compulsory Promotion of Lathrop-
Chamberlain May Renee ActiUity.
London, September %.

London, September -.
One of the results of practical reforms in the
consular service carried out by Secretary Root
is promotion more or less compulsory. For a
quarter of century Mr.. Lorin Lathrop has been
American Consul at Bristol, and so efficient has
he been In his official duties and so popular in
business and social circles that incoming ad-
minstration at Washington has thought Of re-
moving him, even when the pressure for new
appointments has been great. He has Identified
himself so closely with the city and has felt so
much at home in the west of England that he
has had no restless moments when change or
scene has seemed desirable A contented con-
sui, Indifferent to promotion and eager to remain
where he has found a congenial occupation and
won the respect Of the community. is an ex-
ceptional official. Mr.. Lathrop has not lacked
either energy or ambition. but he has had the
comfortable feeling that he fitting in with
his social environment and doing excellent work,
and has not asked for any official favor except
permission to stay at his post Without solici-
tation his part he has suddenly been pro-
NOTED to the consulate at Cardiff, where the
export trade with America is larger than at
Bristol and there IS a more urgent need for
business energy and powers of organization.
Promotion in his case is compulsory. and he is
breaking away regretfully from the associations
Of prolonged residence in the old town, where
he has become a public institution. Naturally.
his friends are uniting in a complimentary ban
quet which promises 10 be brilliant affair, with
Sir Herbert Ashman in the chair and the most
influential residents ar the tables.
While the severance OF Mr.. Lathrop's official
relations with Bristol Is regretted by himself
and by large circle OF acquaintances, to whom
he has endeared himself by his geniality and
tact 1t IS justified by the interests OF the con-
sular service An experienced official with the
vpr,iz ha Of
important centre OF the export trade is
wanted at Cardiff. rather than pushful office
seeker or a discontented consul over-anxious TO
get on in the service. Mr. Lathrop has the equip
ment and tho personality for moro difficult and
useful work than he has been doing, and his
personal sacrifices in leaving his home and his
circle OF English friends OF slight account in
comparison with the public interest in having
the efficient official where he is needed. The
American consular service. once the refuge OF
restless politicians IN quest of foreign adventure
Is now established business basis, and the
best use is made of expert talent officials are
promoted in II not because they have political
supporters TO recommend them. nor because they
themselves UNFORTUNATELY demanding trans
fers with advances in salary. but by reason OF
their own merits and records and the require
ments OF public interest When changes
made abruptly and without consultation with
the offceholder, as has been done in this in
stance there is evidence OF the increased eff
cheney of the general system. Secretary Root
is not only getting work out OF consuls by
improved methods OF supervision. but he is also
putting them where they will be most useful.
1t is systenatized staff management for busi-
purposes. and the service is the better for IT,
Mr.. Chamberlains return to Parliament, much
less to the platform, is not expected even by his
most hopeful friends, but II IS not considered
impossible that he may take an active part in
Unionist councils before the close of the winter
The reports OF the continued Improvement in
his health have been repeated so often during
the last eighteen months that the public is in
credulous; yet there is ground for belief that
he is really better at least in respect.
When he disabled by gout, some other
seizure OF more serious nature, his sight was
impaired that he could neither read nor
write. His eyes have gradually come into use
again, that he now reads newspapers COM
fortably and answers letters with his own hand.
His interest in public affairs has revived and
he is eager TO take up his work again a tariff
reform adviser, II he lacks the strength
for debates in Parliament. This is the account
given by of his intimate friends who have
Ineligible reason for misrepresenting the
facts. II is more authentic than the gloomy
forebodings OF casual witnesses who have seen
him during his drives at Highbury while he
was crossing the Channel and passing through
London. 1t has never been suggested. even by
the most hopeless pessmists. that his mind is
paired sight and increased feebleness in walk
n