The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-07

maximum tariff OF the United states
should embrace within its purview the
free list. which IS not the case at the
present time. in order that IT might haso
reasonable significance TO the govern
ments of those countries from which the
importations into the United States are
confined virtually TO articles on the free
list
Record of Highest Foreign Trade.
The fiscal year ended June 30. 1911,
shows great progress in the development
of American trade Il was noteworthy
as marking the highest record OF exports
Of American products to foreign couu-
tries, the valuation being In excess OF
s., 00O, 900, 600. These exports showed gain
over the preceding year OF more than
Facilities for Foreign Trade.
There is widespread appreciation ex-
pressed by the business interests Of the
country as regards the practical value OF
the facilities now offered by the depart
ment OF state and the department OF
commerce and labor for the furtheranco
or American commerce Conferences with
their officers at Washington who have
an expert knowledge OF trade conditions
In foreign countries and with consular
Officers ana commercial agents OF the de-
partment Of commerce and labor who.
while on leave Of absence, visit the prin-
cipal industrial centers Of the United
States, have been found OF great value.
These trade conferences are regarded as
a particularly promising method OF gov
ernmental aid in foreign trade promotion
The department OF commerce and labor
has arranged to give publicity TO the eN-
pected arrival and the itinerary OF con-
sular officers and commercial agents
while on leave in the United states. in
order that trade organizations may ar
range for conferences with them
As I have indicated, IL Is increasingly
clear that TO obtain and maintain that
equity and substantial equality OF treat
ment essential to the flourlshing foreign
trade. which becomes year by year more
important to the industrial and CONNER
cial welfare OF the United States, we
should have flexbility OF tarin suffi-
ole civ frt1r 81
ton by the department OF state on be-
half Of our commerce and industry
/ need hardly reiterate the conviction
that there should speedily be built up an
American merchant marine. This Is nee
essary to assure favorable transportn-
ton facilities TO our great ocean-borno
commerce as well as to supplement tho
navy with adequate reserve OF ships
and men. 1t would have the economic
advantage OF keeping at home part OF the
vast sums now paid foreign shipping FOR
carrying American goods. All the great
commercial nations pay heavy subsidies
to their merchant marine, so that IL 81
obvious that without some wise aid from
the congress the United States must lax
behind in the matter OF merchant marine
in its present anomalous position.
Legislation to facilitate the extension
of American banks TO foreign countries
is another matter in which our foreign
trade needs assistance.
Chambers of Foreign Comtrcrcc.
The interests OF our foreign commerce
are non-partisan, and as factor In
prosperity are as broad as tho land. In
the dissemination OF useful Information
and in the coordination OF effort certain
unofficial associations have done good
work toward the promotion Of foreign
commerce. 1t is cause for regret, how
ever, that the great number OF such as
sociations and the comparative lack OF
cooperation between them falls TO secure
an efficiency commensurate with the public
interest Through the agency OF the de-
partment OF commerce and labor, and I'm
some cases directly, the department OF
business
terestS information OF commercial op-
experimenting the regular
published consular reports Some CEN
trail organization in touch with associa-
lions and chambers Of commerce through
out the country and able to keep purely
American interests In closer touch with
different phases Of commercial affairs
would. / believe. be of great value. Such
organization might be managed by
composed OF n small number
of those now actively carrying on the
work of some Of the larger associations,
and there might be added to the COM
mittee. as members eN-onlcto, one or two
of the department OF state and
one two officials from the department
OF commerce and labor and representa-
tives of the appropriate committees OF
congress. The authority and success OF
such an organization would evidently be
If the congress should see fit
to prescribe it's scope and organization
through legislation which would give TO
it some such official standing as that. Tor
example of the National Red Cross.
With these factors and the continuance
Of the foreign service establishment fdc-
partmental diplomatic and CONSULAR
upon the high plane where II has been
placed by the recent reorganization this
government would be abreast OF the times
In fostering the interests Of its foreign
trade. and the rest must be left TO the en-
ergy and enterprise Of our business men,
improvement Of Foreign Service.
The entire foreign-service organization
Is being improved and developed with
especial regard to the requirements OF
the commercial interests OF the country.
The rapid growth Of our foreign trade
makes IT of the utmost Importance that
agencies through which
that trade is TO be aided and protected
should possess a high degree Of efficiency
Not only should the foreign representa-
tives be maintained upon generous
scale in so far as salaries and establish
nents are concerned, but the selection
and advancement Of OFFICERS should De
definitely and permanently regulated by
law so that the service shall not fail to
attract men Of high character and abh-
with a partial application Of civil service
rules to the diplomatic and consular ser
wisdom of a wider and more permanent
extension Of those principles TO both
branches of the foreign service. The
men selected for appointment by means
n the existing executive regulations have
been of a far higher average or intclu-
gence and ability than the men appoint
ed before the regulations we're promul-
gated Moreover. the feeling that under
the existing rules there is reasonable
hope for permanence Of tenure duElns
good behavior and for promotion for
service has served to bring
about a jealous activity in the interests
,f the country, which never before eN-
sted or could exist IL IS my earnest
conviction that the enactment into law
lf the general principles of the existing
regulations can not fail TO effect further
in both branches OF tho
foreign service by providing greater In
iucement for young men OF character
and ability to seek a career abroad In
the service of the government. and an
Incentive TO those already IN the service
.o nut forth greater efforts to attain
he high standards which the successful
IL. In Il Il I'm.