The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-07-21
IMPROVING cONSULS

The National Business League
seems to be going after things In the
right way. A recent publication en-
anating from it entitled American
Universities and the American For
elm Service" is worth while. The
most of the booklet is given over to
an estimate of the work being done
In the American Universities which
would fit the young man who SO de-
sires for a consular service. The
public has a hazy idea that the consul
lar service is something attached to
the diplomatic service. But the true
function of consular service is that
OF an advance guard-a firing line
for American business interests.
The great strides that Germany.
France and England are making In
their trade Is due primarily to their
consular systems. The United States
is not az forward in these matters as
1t might be. The National Business
League is therefore busy with the
work Of supplying the government
with trained men by encouraging q
Consular Training School.
On first thought it would seem wise
to have government school for this
purpose. but the remarks of the pro-
paganda CT the League are reasonable.
AS things are now. and are likely to
be for the next generation. Govern
ment School would become either the
football of partisan politics or, what
is worse. the Annex to the 'Spoils
System as applied to the Consular
Service. That may be serious COM
mentary--but we In this generation
pay little attention to commentaries.
However the time may come sooner
than It now seems when such a gov
eminent school as the French Repub.
lie has Is able to be operated. The
Naval Academy and West Point have
not been footballs for congressional
favor-due largely to the nature OF
the army and navy itself where eff.
cheney Is soon recognized.
The work now being done in political
science and kindred subjects necessar,
for diplomatic agents and consular
service in the state universities is good
enough. BY preliminary training
along these lines In the universities
with ANAL training In the consular
school very much may result for the
good, and this is what the League
wants
The time has gone by when the con.
eular service means anything but hare
work. The old picture of tropica
countries with the young consul IL
white duck playing around on pleasur.
bent with his pith helmet and yellow
leather puttees may still exist in conf,
operas. But picture Of a very per
spring young man working late hour.
into the night over reports and over
heated by day, adjusting affairs for tn.
Introduction of new business il mucl
more like the state OF affairs.
The booklet Of the National Bust
ness League shows that there are soms
doeen courses which make for high
Or efficiency in the consular materia
In the Indiana University.
The League is endeavoring to ge
legislation along competitive lines 0
civil service through the congress
That Taft and Knox are both inter
ested in the increased efflciency OF tn
consular service is well known. Al
Mr.. Root said In answer to the ques
ton as to what the Taft administra
ton would do: "Of course there will b.
no back track under President Taft
that is. no back track from the Roose
welt Executive Order Of June. 19o6.'
That means the formation of a firin,
lire for American business And tina
hits most all Of US.