Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-21
CONSULS RANK HIGH
Benefits to Service Resulting
From Merit System.
BIG THINGS ACCOMPLISHED
Victories in Business World Won
by New Diplomacy.
CAPITAL IN FIRST PLACE
Diplomatic Corps In Washington the
Largest in the World-Play-
ing Prominent Part.
BIG THINGS ACCOMPLISHED
CAPITAL IN FIRST PLACE

Department Of American commercial
interests IN foreign lands. since the
United States assumed the role OF a
world power" IS described by state
nent just issued by the State Depart
ment on the organization and work of
that branch Of the government. The
Information was complied for the
House committee on expenditures in
the Department of State. which Is now
Investigating the department. and also
for the Presidents economy and eff
cheney commission
BY the war with Spain. IL is declared.
the United States was thrust into the
realm Of world powers" becoming
one Of the great forces in international
affairs. AS indicating the extensive
foreign relations Of the United States.
the fact is noted that the diplomatic
corps at Washington Is the largest In
the world. The growth of the country.
IL is declared. has had telling effect
upon the work OF the State Depart
ment, necessitating its reorganization
two years ago. to expand American
influence and commercial interests
throughout the world.
Some Things Achieved.
Notable among the achievements
since then. pointed out by the State
Department are the acquisition by
American contractors. through the as
sistance and influence OF the depart
ment, OF the contract for Argentine
naval equipment. amounting to s23.-
100000; the participation by an
American banking group In the HUI
kuang loan. loan of s3o.ooo.o0o for
the construction OF Chinese railways.
leadership and participation in the So
called Chinese currency reform loan of
s50.000.000 a project through which
great reforms will be made by China.
and the construction in Asia Minor by
an American firm of a railway system.
which. with the attendant concession
to the builders. involves a sum OF be-
tween s100.000,000 and $50, 100000 1t
is highly probable that the concession
sought will be granted by the Turkish
parliament within a few days. The
department Is shown TO have a distinct
earning capacity, which goes a long
way toward covering expenses. Reeve
nue. is gained principally through con-
suler and passport fees.
Paid Half of Cost.
Thus. there was expended In 1910
sa.400.s23 for the maintenance of the
department and the foreign service.
but there was received in actual cash
s1.s54.sS3. making the net cost of the
entire establishment only s1,e46,030.
The Increased cost of the service In
1910 over 1909 was 100000. but our
commerce. imports and exports went
difference of s327.s73,3s0. Since
March. 1903. the department has also
collected claims against foreign gov
ernments to the amount of s2,315,000
Tor American citizens.
The reorganization that was effected IN
1909 has given the department and the
country. 1t is stated. the services Of men
who are especially familiar with the mat
tiers that require special knowledge. This
applies to every section of the world and
to every subject with which the depart
n1ent has to deal
The reorganization of the diplomatic
and consular service was one of the most
far-reachtng measures both IN it's in
fuence abroad and in its effect at home
Congress IN accepting the recommended
ton OF Secretary Knox made it possible
II is declared, to have a director of the
consular service and a resident diplomatic
officer as we'll as a counselor. That ad-
dltfon 10 the personnel, il Is stated, has
large questions coming before 1t in a
large way.
Appointments on Merit.
The gradual evolution OF the diplomatic
and consular services from the "spoils
system" TO their present high plane of
-partisanship, with appointments and
promotions strictly in accordance with the
merit system" is discussed in connection
with the work of the bureau of appoint
ments. The department expresses much
qualification over the condition of the
consular service with respect to the ap-
portionnent Of officials 10 states and ter
ritorfeS Of the Union. Before the merit
system was installed there were seven
states and territories which had no rep
reseltation. There are now practically
none. Since 1905 sixty-five men have
been appointed consuls after examination.
OF these thirty-three were from the north
and thtrty-two from the south. The
system OF rigid examination for entry
into the diplomatic service has also been
instituted During this admin istration
sixty-four men have been examined and
twenty-four nave received appointments
belief that, except in the east, there is
a remarkable lack of interest in the
in the service. OF these sixteen were
from the north and eight from the south
The report says concerning its efforts to
get men for the diplomatic service: The
departments experience leads one TO the
service"
In a general conclusion the book issued
by the department says that a better sys-
tenn Of accounting is needed. However
changes cannot be made unless the laws
ara and the