Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-09
URGES PENSION PLAN
Barrett Would Reward Pan
American Union Employees.
MAKES HIS ANNUAL REPORT
Director General Tells of Increase in
Trade to Countries in South
America.

john Barrett, director general of the
Pan-A american Union, advocates the re-
tlrement and pension of such employees
of the union as may from long and eff
Cient service be considered by the exec
utive officers and supervisory committee
| as entitled to such pension, i'll his annual
report. just made public
Declaring that he is a firm believer in
pensions, Director Barrett said:
Although the present income of the
union viii not permit this step to be
taken, it is to be hoped that at some flu
ture time not too far distant this humani-
tartan treatment of those who have loyal
ly and devotedly served the cause of Pan
AmericaniSm can be accomplished. Per-
manent employment can only be secured
by passing d comprehensive and appro-
pirate examination, and salary promotion
will depend on efficiency, conduct and
length of service. Personal and political
influence has not controlled. and must not
control. the appointment of a single en-
ploye to the disadvantage of a competitor
without such influence, and real merit is
and must remain the sole qualification of
the selection and retention of employees.
Great strides in the commercial activity.
due in large part to the Worldwide pub
ilcltN OF me union IN Delldll OF lnt SOuIn
American republics. shown in the
report. while special stress is laid on
the Importance of the opening of the
Panama canal to the southern republics.
Increase in Trade.
A glance at the table giving the in
crease in Pan-American trade during
the last five years will but give an idea
of the work the union has accomplished
The total foreign commerce with all the
world of the twenty Latin American re-
rubics for. 191o-191J. is S2,366,O S1 ,:t71. an
Increase of S65S 427.713 since 1905. begin
hing the present administration of the
union: total value of exchange of trade
exports and imports, between the Uni Led
States and the republics $640, 4j9. 49,, an
increase of Sal. I'll 1873 over the last five
to the republics, 500, 6G3 2.2.o an increase
of SGi,211 57S; total sales of the re-
publics to the United States, 1860, 7?G, $50
an increase of ST., 800 $50.
The fact that these twenty southern
countries increased their foreign COM
| merce. as the figures given above show
at the rate of SlOO,oooOoo per -annum
during the last five years, should arouse
the whole world to an acute and lively
appreciation of their wealth, prosperity
and progress it is cOntended.
The United States is awakening rapidly
to a realization of the value of the field,
argey result of the Pan-American
Union, the Department of State and its
diplomatic and consular service, and the
bureau of the Department of Commerce
and Labor, but it can do far more and
reap far greater benefits if IT will now
prepare properly for the opening of the
Panama canal. the report says.
Director Barrett points directly to the
Importance of the canal in the commercial
and business growth of the southern
|. countries which cooperating to de-
49, fY,1I. .rly-s,v
Benefit to All Countries.
That the American Union is di
rectly responsible each year for many
million dollars worth of new trade ex
change among the American repub les
and therefore pays for itself over and
over again in tangible benefits TO all the
countries is proved beyond issue by the
letters received and on file and by the
reports of men and firms who have acted
upon it's advice and information. That it
has been the influence to inspire the in
vestment of millions of North American
and European dollars in Latin American
countries and that it has greatly aided
the favorable placing in the United states
and Europe of the loans of Latin Ameri-
can countries and the successful sale of
their securities is evidenced plainly by
It's cores pondence.
by the activities OF the union tneTe mas
been a decided Improvement of steamship
facilities between the United States and
the various ports of the southern coun-
tries, which has done a great deal to i'll
crease the amount of passenger trade
There are abundant freight boats for all
cargo offered and frst-claSS passenger &C
Communications on large and comfortable
steamers running directly between New
York. Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo and
Buenos Aires at reasonable intervals and
rates. COrrespondingly, it is to be noted
that the number of Latin Americans who
come To this country is much greater
than d few years ago, and bids fair to
be very much larger after the Panama
canal is opened
Reports show that there has been de-
cided increase in the amount of literature
sent out by the union. In the year COW
cred by the report there We're re eived
and sent out a total of I12,64 pieces or
written or printed matter, or "a daily
average of about 1000 pieces. The indi-
cations are that the total for the ensuing
year Will reach the 100000 mark.
1t was reported that the officers will be
elected III December or January for the
new Pan American Society of the United
states, movement started in the fail of
1910 by Director Barrett It's actual
ganizaton has been postponed until this
winter.
Calls Attention to Building.
Special attention is invited 60 the Pan
American bu ldinG and the Improvement
of the grounds surrounding it. When the
present construction and landscape work
is completed the buildings and grounds
will represent d cash investment of
81 100000. OF this Andrew Carnegie CON
| tributed $4,000 for the building and
| 100000 for the beautificat on of the
grounds. The United Sta,es bought the
| land with an appropriation of $1,000
| and the twenty South American republics
| contr. Duted per ratio of population about
$4,000 Ten thousand persons reg Istered
| a Id inSnected the hlIiIdino dur Tho