Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1909-04-15
BEING 4 CONSUL
IS NO SiNECURE
American Representative Tells Of His
Experiences Abroad Wide Field
for Original Investigation n
Man II Alert

Any man Who can talk enthusiastic
csiiy and intelligently about hts own
business h worth listening 20. So
when Maxwell Blake OF the United
states Consular Service began 20 FIRE
or details about foreign places and
personalities American trade abroad
and the importance OF the Nations
foreign agents. the other man listened.
Mr.. Blake Is the brother OF r II
Blake OF Kansas City and Of Frank
Blake. who vas Hadiey's assistant
when be vas Attorney General. and
IS at present the Governors pardon
attorney. While American Consul In
MADEIRA. NJ Blake advised his Gov
eminent that the place was not impor-
tant enough 90 justify the continuance
% the consulate. The advice was act
ed on and fse Consul Withdrawn
NJ fTi-- - said I was doing myself
a bad turn said Mr. Blake. 1t Is a
beautiful country and one meets all
sorts OF cha ming people who come out
for the season from England But
don't believe a man will lose his place
By doing waat be thinks Is right"
There wasn't enough 10 do?"
No. thac vas it." he agreed An
important side OF the work was max
ing a 600. showing for the credit OF
part OF the Consul's duty anywhere.
An American Consul must be able
TO meet every man as an equal a
friend OF mine happened 20 be close
% the kiag OF Portugal. One day. on
his return from a cruise with the
royal parry be told me that there
vas cOnte n plated a commercial treaty
with another country which would
have the eject OF shutting out from
Portugal an article largely imported
from the United States. let my Gov
ernment know about this They in
formed TIE parties interested who sent
representative 10 Portugal with the
result that the treaty was not CON
Guided. In order 20 get tips like that
YOU mus' have the right men IN the
right place
"Where we're you sent from Made
ria2" Wa asked
AnOtber small post. Dumfermline.
in scotland But il IS the center of
ihe Scotch linen industry Much of
The Irish linen sold in America Is
Scotch. you know. Then I had a
chance % assist in gathering informa-
zion on whrch 90 base the reform OF
the tariff The plan was 10 get full
details 90 TIE cost OF production OF an
articles Imported by this country The
questions ou which information was
sought were d regular inquisition.
The Part the Consul Plays.
But the chief business OF a consul
is not % ~alt until questions are ask
ed. re has % be on the alert for
new openings for American trade
abroad ard % watch the developments
NJ foreign Industry SO. you know. /
think ~ are the most observed nation
in the S0rlc and the least observing
The tentencs is "a look az ourselves
and our progress. obliviOus OF the fact
that other nations quickly take up
our Inventions and improve them
his ~ changing. though with the
Development 20 the consular service
since Roosevelt put il on civil ser
vice footirC aith test examinations.
AN efhciency record and a delinquent
list Great credit is due 20 Wilbur
Carr. nov chief clerk OF the Depart
ment OF STATE. for his work in reor-
ganizinE The service While chief OF the
consular bureau"
What dos the service COST"
1t IS self-suppOrt But the pay
IS small a consul Is not allowed 20
trade ard there is no provision for
pensions A. Ia other countries. Such
conditions are not attractive 20 men
Who CANNOT See behind them the pos
sibilities OF original investigation. But
Cor vite-aV-4ke. inquisitive person.
it's great career. kansas City Star.