Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-01
OLD HABITS AGAINST THEM
Custom of Bride. Giving Dates Back
to Biblical Times.
AFRAID OF RESPONSIBILITY
Important Public improvements
Await Because Officials Hesitate
to Reach Decisions.
RY WILLIAM F.. CURTIS.

Special Correspondence OF The star and the
Chicago Record Herald
CONSTANTINOPLE August %. 1910.
The new government of Turkey is doing
as we'll as could be expected, notwith-
standing the many embarrassments which
are perfectly natural under the circum-
stances. 1t has been properly said that
the greatest evil which Abdul Hamid IN
ficted upon his country was by depriving
it of men of capacity trained to exercise
the functions of government. His policy
of Capitalization, the monopoly of admin
istration which he kept in his own hands
and the small number of subordnates
who were intrusted with responsibility have
resulted in lack of experience and
knowledge which is being realized now
for the first time in its full significance
Every body agrees that the present prime
minister. Haiku Pasha, and his associ-
ates in the cabinet represent the best SEN
timent of the country. and that a better
class of officials could not be found.
Everybody comedies that they are honest
and dsnterested to a degree which has
been unknown before in Turkish history.
They are full of good intentions and are
conscientiously doing valuable work Their
greatest fault. or rather weakness, Is
their shrinking from responsibility, and
the people of Turkey, who nave expected
much and have received little or nothing,
are showing decided signs OF dissatistac-
tion.
Ministry Slow to Act.
There are many projects pending which
would introduce large sums of foreign
capital, furnish employment for thou
sands of laborers, stimulate trade and
contribute to the prosperity of the coun-
try, as well as supply permanent con-
veniences for commerce and social activ-
ity which Turkey lacks. But the fulfill
ment of these designs is delayed by the
failure of the ministry to give final ap-
prevail to the projects. The minister of
pnoiic WORKS is an able and an honest
man, but il is claimed that he spends
most of his time in defending his policy
OF inactiOsI and apologiZng tor not hav-
ing decided questions that should have
been settled long ago.
There are several important concessions
and contracts-a dozen or more-awaitlnS
nnal action. They are intended to de-
veiop the resources of the country and to
furnish the people of Turkey with public
cOnveniences which other countries .njoy.
The contracts are with American, Eng
ish. French, German, Belgian and other
syndicates, whose representatives are
anxiously awaiting a hnal decision upon
their applications.
People complain that it is more difficult
than it was under the oiu regime, because
now a contractor has to deal with fL-ty
different people, when formerly he hau
TO deal with one. Now, II he la-ls 10 con-
suit or overlooks some ofncial who has
10 do with the case or neglectS to show
that Difference which the subdeputy as
sistant TO some minister expects, he
makes an enemy for life, and mis- bust
ness is blocked beyond relief. And al
though the prevailing opinion gives the
government excellent afj0n
for integrity, there are still skeptics who
insist that the brides are passed under the
liable instead of over il, as was formerly
Inc case.
Bribe-Giving Is Historical.
IL is scarcely to be expected that a ma
ton will change its habits in day. The
payment of 'bakheesh'' has been Gus
tomary in Turkey since the beginning of
time. and the practice was not only
tolerated, but recognized as legitimate, by
the former government. Abdul Hamid,
for example, expected the amba ssadors
and ministers OF foreign powers to pay
the salaries of the officials of the foreign
office with whom they had to deal, which
relieved him of the necessity OF paying
them himself, and the same system pre-
vailed through the entire government No.
body ever went to a Turkish official for a
favor without bringing gift. That has
always been the custom IN all oriental
countries. even in Bible times, and the
value of the gift must correspond with
the value of the favor desired. No one
who understands the oriental character
would concede that this practice had been
entirely abandoned at the sublime porte
although the ministers and the other men
high in authority are believed to be in
corruptible. Mr.. Crawford, the English
man who is in charge of the customs, has
made IL perfectly plain to the employees
of that department that any man who
accepts d bride from an importer must
hand in his resignation at the same time
There has undoubtedly been a great i'm
provement in this respect.
The delay in granting concessions for
public WORKS. therefore, is not due to the
reasons which might have prevailed in
the old regime. but merely 10 indecision
on the part of the officials who have
never been accustomed to decide uues-
tons of Importance for themselves and
hesitate to do SO for fear they NAV be
criticised. They try to shoulder the re-
sponsibility upon somebody else or. as the
saying goes here, to provide screen be-
hind which they may hide in case they
are criticised
These delays have been the greatest
fault of the administration.
Governors Do Not Act.