The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-19
Subject of Diplomatic Service ArouSeS Warm Discussion
 In the House
PLEA MADE FOR HOMES FOR
 AMERICAN DIPLOMATS
Snobbishness and Wearing of Knee Brooches Roundy Condemned By coneressmen, Who Argue
 For Simplicity.

Washington April 1S.-'fThe objection to Dr. Hill as ambassador to Berlin was simply and solely that his private for tune would not enable him to represent the dignity of the American nation.''
 This statement was made today in the House of Representatives by MT. Long worth of Ohio, son-in-law of President Roosevelt during the consideration of the diplomatic appropriation bill. MT. Long worth was making a plea for the mainten- ance by the government of suitable lega- ton buildings at the various foreign capi- tals. He referred to the press dispatches stating that the German Emperor had re- fused to accept Dr. Hill and to the off cial denial given to the published stories.' Nevertheless" said MT. Longworth, there is no doubt that there was a foun- dation for these stories beyond mere ru- nor, and it is undoubtedly true that per- sons high in authority in Germany for some time have been saying that Dr. Hill was non persona gratissima to the Elm peror."
 In the course of brief explanation of the bill, MT. Cousins of Iowa, chairman of the committee on foreign affairs, re-
 
 and the inadequate provision for the care of our consuls. American consuls, he de- clared, were in many instances living in out of the way places in the cities to which they were accredited not consistent with the government they represented. The furniture in most of the buildings, he said, was old and dilapidated, but" he added, T do not admit that our service is inferior to any in the world.''
 Practice Condemned.
 Speaking to a pro-forma amendment MT. Harrison of New York condemned the practice of appointing men of great wealth to represent the United States abroad. It did not necessarily follow he said, that because a man was rich he would not make good ambassador, and he cited Rufus Choate and Whitelaw Reid. Referring to the Hill incident MT. Harrison said that If lavish expendi- ture of American money creates such an fnordinate appetite for American luxury among minor officials of the Berlin court as to bring humiliation upon the head of one Of the most distinguished and respon- sble of American public servants, then 1t was time to call halt and apply the remedy which has been suggested, provid- ing homes for it's diplomats. MT. Harri- son, however denounced the growing ten dency to select dinner table or dietic diplomats." One of these he said was Amabassador White at Paris, and he criti- cised him for appearing as had been re- ported at functions in court costume and knickerbockers, i'll violation of the law on the subject.
 Discussing the secretaries abroad, Mr. 4 Harrison said that the first secretary at hLondon was good example of the type being appointed. While a very ample A gentleman" MT. Harrison said, The re- minds one irresistibly of the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, and as he scut- ties through the Londong drawing rooms one can almost picture him saying Oh, the Duchess! The Duchess, Oh my furs and whiskers. 1 shall be late''
 Criticisms Resented.
 The references to Ambassador White by MT. Harrison were resented by Messrs. Mccall of Massachusetts, Hitchcock of Nebraska, Bennett and Parsons of New York and Cooper of Pennsylvania, each of whom testified to courtesy and attention to duty of not only Ambassador White but the first secretary as well.
 MT. Underwood of Alabama opposed large salaries in order that American dip lomats might maintain a social standard but he was in favor of salaries sufficiently large to enable them to properly maintain the duty of their offices
 Does the gentleman believe" inquired MT. Longworth that MT. Bryce the present ambassador of Great Britain to the United States, lives with any undue ostentaton?''
 MT. Underwood said he had met MT. Bryce only twice, but it was his opinion that MT. Bryce had not received in his home 10 per cent of the members of Con sress. Whether or not Mr. Bryce spent his whole salary in entertaining, MT. Un- derwood contended that his course in this respect would not increase or diminish his influence as ambassador
 D The last criticism on earth of Mir. Bryce," interjected Mir Longworth "could be that he is society dude"
 MT. Underwood denied that he intended to convey such an intimation.
 Williams Talks of Snobs.
 While maintaining that as rule Amer ican diplomats were competent and ef- ficient men. MT. Williams of Mississippi characterized some of them as rich and some of them as snobbisb He saw no reason why Ambassador Reid should rent Dorchester house and set social stand ard for subsequent ambassadors
 'I have yet to learn, said MT. Mann of Illinois, that those ambassadors or min isters who entertain their own circle con sisting of other ambassadors and minis ters exercise any more influence in affairs diplomatic than the ones who attend to tue DuslHeSS ol tneir countfles regardless of their social affairs or the wealth they display in livng.''
 MT. Slayden of Texas denounced the re- cent sale in New York by Mrs. Conger, widow of the former minister to China, of valuable collection of loot taken, he said, from the imperial palace of Pekin following the siege of that capital. He charged that the goods were all stolen, but that that fact had not deterred Mrs. -. .Conger from gathering the collection
 .. Affairs In Belgium.
 rh ~cities alleged to be connected .,,ti a,ro ge trade in the Congo Free Sta. ... .le siaNNssed by MT Harrison. He sar, were dlscuRelgians were responsible e'eu tnat the Kings, but said that the ,,,,.., ,or any wrong do4ed were committed by ,iu',ia. a.ions practictupon each other. When ne different tribes E Belgium had taken Was found tha te practices there was