The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-07

Ing UuSlucSS l0leIeSIS OF lQe country
Impressed with this idea. and con-
WINGED that selection after rigorous ex-
animation, promotion for merit solely
and the experience only to be gained
through the continuity of an organized
service are indispensable to high de-
gree Of efficiency in the diplomatic
service, have signed an executive or
der as the first step toward this very
desirable result. Its effect should be
to place all secretaries In the dipIo-
matte services In much the same posi-
ton as consular officers are now placed
and to tend to the promotion Of the
most efficient to the grade of minister,
generally leaving for outside appoint
ment such posts of the grade Of am
bassador or minister as 1t may be ex-
pedient to fill from without the sery-
ice. 1t is proposed also to continue
the practice instituted last summer of
giving to all newly appointed secre-
taries at least one months thorough
training In the department Of state be-
fore they proceed to their posts. This
has been done for some time In regard
to the consular service with excellent
results.
Under a provision OF the act of Aug.
8, 1909, have appointed three officials
to assist the officers Of the government
in collecting information necessary to
wise administration of the tariff act
of Aug. 3, 1909. AS to questions Of
customs administration they are CO.
operating with the officials OF the
treasury department and as to matters
of the needs and the exigencies of our
manufacturers and exporters with the
department of commerce and labor in
its relation to the domestic aspect of
the subject of foreign commerce. In
the study Of foreign tariff treatment
they will assist the bureau OF trade
relations of the department of state.
1t is hoped thus to coordinate and
bring to bear upon this most important
subject all the agencies of the govern
ment which can contribute anything to
| its efficient handling.
| AS consequence Of section 2 of the
tariff act of Aug. 5, 1909, 1T becomes
the duty Of the secretary of state to
conduct as diplomatic business all the
| negotiations necessary to place him in
a position to advise me as to whether
or not particular country unduly dis
eliminates against the United States
in the sense of the statute referred to.
The great scope and completely Of this
work, as well as the obligation to lend
all proper aid to our expanding COM
merce, are met by the expansion of the
bureau of trade relations as set forth
in the estimates for the department of
state.
Other Departments.
| have thus in some detail described
the important transactions of the state
department since the beginning of this
administration for the reason that
there is no provision either by statute
or custom for formal report by the
| secretary of state to the president or
to congress, and presidential message
is the only means by which the con-
dition of our foreign relations is
brought to the attention Of congress
and the public.
In dealing with the affairs of the
other departments, the heads Of which
all submit annual reports, shall touch
only those matters that seem to me to
| call for special mention on my part
without minimizing In any way the
recommendations made by them for
| icSlSidtlOH dncCLluS tucI EeSpcCIfc
departments. in all of which 1 wish to
express my general concurrence.
Government Expenditures and Rsve-
| nues.
Perhaps the most important ques.
ton presented to this administration
Is that of economy in expenditures and
suf1ciency of revenue. The deficit of
the last fiscal year and the certain
deficit Of the current year prompted
congress to throw a greater response
bility on the executive and the secre-
tary of the treasury than had hereto
fore been declared by statute. This
declaration imposes upon the secretary
of the treasury the duty Of assembling
all the estimates of the executive de-
partments, bureaus and Offices Of the
expenditures necessary In the ensuing
fiscal year and Of making an estimate
of the revenues Of the government for
| the same period, and II probable def
icit is thus shown 1t Is made the duty
Of the president to recommend the
method by which such deficit can be
met.
Estimated Deficit $7s,o7s, 800.
The report Of the secretary shows
that the ordinary expenditures for the
current fiscal year ending June 80,
1910, will exceed the estimated re-
ceipts by $34.075. 600. If to this deficit
are added the sum to be discussed for
the Panama canal, amounting to $685.
100000, and $1,O00,Oo0 to be paid on
the public debt, the deficit of ordinary
receipts and expenditures will be In
creased to total deficit of SIS, Ole. $50.
This deficit the secretary proposes TO
meet by the proceeds of bonds issued
to pay the cost of constructing the
| Panama canal I annrnva this nr0-