New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-21
state DEPARTMENT Work
II Has Aided Greatly in Extend
ing American Trade.
Mr.. KNOX ANSWERS CRITICS
Points to Chinese Loans, Argen-
tine Naval Construction and
Consular Reforms.
rFrom The Tribune Ruresu :,

rFrom The Tribune Bureaul
washington, May 2-To preclude the
possibility OF gross Misrepresentation OF
the work OF the State Department for
Democratic campaign purposes, Secretary
Knox has submitted to the House COM
mittee now conducting an investigation q
full report on the work and organization
of this important branch Of the govern
ment service. This report was made pub
lie to-day. 1t sets forth the reforms that
have been accomplished In the last few
years, the system that has been estab-
lished to meet the demands of American
trade and diplomacy in foreign countries
and the results that have been accom-
plished.
Many Of the results are directly due to
the efforts of the specialists In foreign
fields attached to the bureaus Of the de-
partment. The department has been able
to enter a new field and take up negotia-
tons and proposals impossible before the
reorganization. when the officials were
thoroughly overworked and had no more
than time enough to carry on the routine
business.
Notable among the achievements point
ed ont in the pamphlet issued by the de-
partment are the acquisition by Americans.
through the assistance and influence or
the department Of the contract for Argen-
tine naval equipment, amounting to S23.VO-
900; the participation by an American bank
ing group in the Hukuang loan OF $50
for the construction OF Chinese railways. In
which American bankers never would have
thought Of engaging save for the activity
of the department; leadership and parucl-
patton In the so-called Chinese currency
reform loan OF 100000 a project through
which great reforms will be made by
China. and the construction IN Asia Minor
by an American firm of a railway sys-
tenn which, with the attendant concessions
to the builders, involves between Nco,co.-
600 and $l50. 1000.
Concession from Turkey Probable.
This last project Is the latest big piece
Of work the department has done. II Is
highly probable that the concession sought
Will be granted by the Turkish Parliament
within a few days, as, according to IN
formation just received by the department.
II has been sent TO the Parliament at Con-
stantinople with the governments approval,
and all things point toward its complete
success. These are only few OF the
things which stand out as having been
recently accomplished.
The department Is shown 10 have dis
tinct earning capacity which goes a long
way toward covering expenses. Revenue Is
gained principally through consular ana
passport fees. Thus, S3.4oo.s23 was expend-
ed in 1910 for the maintenance OF the de-
partment and the foreign service, put
81 654 1913 in actual cash was received, max
ing the net cost of the entire establish
ment only S1,946.0S0 The increased cost OF
the service in 1910 over 1909 was $5oo,co' but
commerce, imports and exports Increased
from 81 g74, ssl 32S to 1892 so4,7os. difference
of 1927. S73.3S0 Since March, 1863, the de-
partment has also collected claims 10 the
amount of S2,3l5,SO0 for American citizens
The department has always had a limited
nersonnel the smallest Of any OF the ex-
ecutive departments.
In the last two years claims involving
inward Of s96OO0o,oo0 have passed through
tho denartment The labor involved in
wedding out the bad claims is greater than
that in handling those which were collect
sd and those which are still being pressed
pi,lomati and Consular Reforms.
The gradual evolution OF the diplomatic
and consular services to their present high
plane OF -partisanship. with appoint
ments and promotions strictly in accord
ance with the merit system" Is discussed
in connection with the work of the bureau
of Appointments. The department express
90 much qualification over the condition
OF the consular service with respect to the
apportionment of officials 10 states ana ter
ritories. Before the merit system was IN
stalled there were seven states ana terrl-
tories which had no representation There
are now practically none. Since 1906 sixty
nve men have been appointed consuis al
tar examination. OF these thrty-three were
from the North and thrty-two from the
South.
The system of rigid examination Tor
entrv into the diplomatic service has also
been instituted In this administration SIX
tv-four men have been examined and twen-
tv-four have received appointments IN tue
service. OF these, sixteen were from the
North and eight from the South. The re-
mort SAYS. concerning It's eHorts 10 get
men for the diplomatic service; Inc de-
partment's experience leads one 10 the
belief that. except in the East. there Is
remarkable lack OF interest in the service.
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