New-York tribune., 1908-04-18
LEIGHTON BUILDINGS.
Why They 4re Needed for Our
ReDresentatires abroad.

Washington, April lin course Of an appeal for
government legation buildings abroad. Mr- Perkins
OF New York in the House to-day, by Implication
charged that Emperor Williams attitude toward
David Jayne Hill, American Ambassador 10 ber-
lin had been entirely due social causes. That
the Ambassador from the United States must be a
very rich man, he said, seemed TO be accepted IN
court circles. In the case OF Mr.. HILL he declared
that no one questioned his capacity, nothing he
had ever said or done distasteful 10 the coun-
-, 70 which he was accredited but those who find
sreciaI pleasure in elaborate entertainment and IN
the splendors Of social life supported by multi
rriIionaires. seem have regarded as dfstasteful
the prospect OF change in the social regime
Plain living and high thinking, he maintained
anna areut1v were not popular in all classes 1t IS
of-a evident said NJ. Perkins that If the recog-
r1ized function OF American Ambassadors is to en-
-trtain with excessive iberality and therein thelr
usefulness is thought consist the sooner we are
done with ambassadors the better Hospitality has
lis charms and dining and winning IS q creditaole
amusement but after all it is not for such purposes
that we sustain a diplomatic corps Such Things
h.. co,+anded ma be useful adjuncts, but Ger
r5v they are not the recognized objects Of dipio-
matte life"
- he said only millionaires were fit for the
z+t.s .z-recte5 from American ambassadors. then
.,o-:os, ar7ba ssadors must soon cease 10 exist
when the United States. he declared, owned us
gv-, buildings there would be a better chance 1or
.+e man of moderate means to make ends meet
and less demand for the nultiTllilIioIlalre 10 eA
his wealth in excessive display
" Slavden Of Texas. also touched upon the
question Of wealth qualification Tor forelsn
-viO~ in urging adequate government maintenance
f- American diplomats abroad by providing SUIT
rosf5erces and fair salaries. He asserted that
- ;. ms done we will be virtually saying 10
-. world that the great North American Republic
-. f,s declaration OF equality, has set aside ccr-
..- -,ora irnportant offices for the exclusive
io,,,arr of the rich by making II Impossible loT
-. -eudencv was growing more and more, ne
-of.c- men OF large wealth for those places
| -, cIevden was willing TO admit that some rlch
-. he as accomplished In statecraft as Mot
- ToueI or Bayard. But he SAID those
ley. -. ,,,e,, should not have their memories
/ .I-aI h. mention in the same breath with an
a.t.r class who are only distinguished because
- -. costly dinners pay extravagant rent
/ - -, ,,alsces they occupy while socially ex-
1o,+,,r themselves IS American ornclals.
,r,,,I,iur the incident Of Ambassador ffl "Iloii
=, T3-asident named for the Berlin post, Mr. Stay
lie ..rr,,o great governments have just been
- ,,,o mere replacing of representati
I .,otber II was rumored-I hope without foun-
-ion-that the substitution OF hlShE ualueu
5;.lov7.r of exalted character, but OF HHteh
means for another who may he equally quallhed
= NO j. a man Of great wealth. did not meet
. =, r,,-aI Of the sovereign to whose court ne
- 70 he sent just because he was classed as a
- - The rlIrnors were denied from the court
, f ,bet sovereign and our diplomat, II now ap-
- s. -,ersona erata. and will be received
( r-,o fart however. said Mr.. Slayden, that such
ias co7,l5 he circulated showed the state of
mind Of the public out Of which came degree OF
-,,,.s,r..ssr,eut which he hoped would assist in
/ ct. hliehipg a standard for American ambassa-
ltIenccs, for American legations. with fair sal
+ = ..a1d then" he said. make up in character
- Qualifications for any lack OF Individual
wealth.