The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-03

EO Ody III the 1DLGrnaLlOn1I rGiauOnS or the country. and contemporary foreign comment affecting American interests is promptly brought to the attention of the department.
 The law offices of the department were greatly strengthened. There were kdded foreign trade advisers to coop crate with the diplomatic and consular bureaus and the politico- geographical divisions in the innumerable matters where commercial diplomacy or con- sular work calls for such special knowledge. The same officers, together with the rest of the new Orga nization. are able at all times to give to Ameri- can citizens accurate information as to conditions in foreign countries with which they have business and likewise to cooperate more effectively with the congress and also with the other ex- ecutive departments
 Merit System Tn Consular and Diplo-
 n1at;c Corps.
 Expert knowledge and professional training must evidently be the essence of this reorga nization. Without train ed foreign service there would not be men available for the work in the reor- ganized department of state. President Cleveland had taken the first step to- ward introducing the merit system in the foreign service. That had been fol- lowed by the application of the merit principle, with excellent results. to the entire consular branch. Almost notk.- ing. however. had been done in this di- rection with regard to the diplomatic service. In this age of commercial di- plomacy itN was evidently Of the first importance to train an adequate person mel in that branch of the service.
 Therefore. on Nov. 26. 1909. by an executive order placed the diplomatic service up to the grade of secretary of embassy. inclusive, upon exactly the same strict nonpartisan basis of the merit system. rigid examination for ap- pointmept and promotion only for eff ciency as haG been maintained witL- out except4aa in the consular servics.
 Appointments.
 How faithful to the merit system and how nonpartisan has been the conduct of the diplomatic and con suIar services in the last four years may be judged from the following: Three ambassadors now serving held their present rank at the beginning of my administration. Of the ten
  five were by promotion from the rank of minister. Nine ministers now serv- ing held their present rank at the be- ginning of the administration. Of the thirty ministers whom have ap- pointed. eleven were promoted from the lower grades of the foreign serv- ice or from the department of state. Of the nineteen missions in Latin America. where our relations are close and our interest is great, fifteen chiefs of mission are service men. three hav- ing entered the service during this ad- ministration.
 The thirty-seven, secretaries of em- bassy or legation who have received their initial appointments after pass ing successfully the required exami- nation were chosen for ascerta ined fit ness. without regard to political af- flliations. A dearth of candidates from southern and western states has alone made it impossible thus far completely to eQualize aH the states representations fin the foreign service. In the effort to equalize the representa- tion of the various states in the con suiar service have made sixteen of the twenty -nine new appointments as consul which have occurred during my administration from the southern states. This is 55 per cent. Every other consular appointment made. in cIuding tn. promotion of eleven young men frou the consular assistant and student interpreter corps. has been by promotion or transfer, based solely upon efficiency shown in the service.
 In order to assure to the business and other interests of the United States a continuance of the resulting benefits or this reform. earnestly re- new my previou: recommendations of legislation making it permanent along some such lines as those of the meas ure now pending in congress.
 Larger Provision For Embassies and
 Legations and For Other Expenses of Our Foreign Representatives Rec commended.
 In connection with legislation for the ameiiorston of the foreign service T wish to in rite attention to the advisa- bility of placing the salary appropria- lions upon better basis. I believe that the best results would be obtained by 8 moderate scale of salaries, with adequate funds for the expenses of proper represen ia ton. based in each case upon the scale and cost of living at each post, controlled by system of accounting and under the general df- rection of the department of state.
 In line with the object which I have sought Of placing our foreign service on basis of permanency, I have at vari- ous times advocated provision by con- gress for the acquisition of government owned buildings for the residence and offices of our diplomatic officers. so as to place them more nearly on an equal tty with similar officers of other na- tons 8 nd to do away with the discrim- ination which otherwise must neces- sa=ily be made in some cases in favor of men having large private fortunes The act of congress which I approved on Feba IT. 1911. was a right step in this direction. The secretary of state has already made the limited recon