The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-25
IDLE RICH NOT WANTED;
OTHERS CAN'T AFFORD 1T
Serious Situation Faces Govern
ment in Getting Men to Rep
resent It Abroad.
ny u. u. MCGOWAN.

Washington. March 24.--Will the
United States foreign posts DO filled
with the idle rich? This is a question
which has come TO the minds of many
persons here since President Wilson
entered the White House To those
who have observed, the trouble he has
had in finding men of intellectually,
refinement culture and ability to ill
foreign posts. The idea has occurred
that one Of two things must be the
result of the present situation: either
men whose wealth has been inherited
and who have done nothing and who
would be known as the idle rich"
must he chosen to represent the
United states abroad or the state De
parimcnt must, in order 70 relieve
the situation, ask Congress TO con
slider a budget which calls Tor at least
double the amount appropriated every
year to maintain the foreign service.
William T.. McCombs expressed the
matter clearly when he told President
Wilson that while nothing would have
given him greater pleasure than to
have accepted the position of ambas-
sible TO give UP n lucrative law prac-
ticc for even the great honor OF serv-
Ing his country abroad when that
honor would entail upon him a tire
mendous financial sacrifice. This. too.
Is the position that many We'll known
persons have already. made known to
the President and that others doubt
less will communicate 10 him hcrcaf-
ter
Tina, il is difficult matter to find
suitable men for these places is ad =
United. and rs the present situation
has demonstrated The idle rich man
is not wanted. The poor man is en-
tirely out of the running. The man
who is making money rapidly, however
much he may prize the honor of repre-
s9nting the United States abroad. will
not. except in rare cases, sacrifice those
interests even for love OF country. and
even though Ills heart he overfiowing
with genuine patriotism.
For manE years past Congress has
been II work on plans To better the
condition of our foreign represents
tives, and every year the diplomatic
ana consular appropriation hill has
carried items which looked To their
welfare. So far, however. little. il any.
progress has been made toward put
I ting the United States representatives
! on an equal basis with those of other
countries. II is believed now. however,
since the trouble President Wilson has
had in selecting available men for
these posts has become known to the
world. that there will be a general dc.
lnand in Congress either for more pay
/ for ministers and ambassadors serving
; in .othe" countries. and that. failing in
this, some general plan for giving them
homes. which would help in the finan-
cial situation to some extent VIII be
agreed upon
The frequent cry is heard that per
sonel sacrifices cannot he made even
10 accept positions Of the very highest
and greatest honor, and this situation
VIII result III action being taken by the
state Department at nm early date ask
'ng Tor relief In addition TO this, il
IS quite probable that President Wilson
viii send special message 10 Congress
on me subject carly IN the extra ses-
sion