The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-03-31
SUITABLE HOMES
FOR DIPLOMATS
American Embassy Associa.
tion Renews Campaign for
Ful6llment Of Purpose.
STIMULATED BY WILSON
Lowden Bill, Admirably Adapted, Ap-
propriated $500, 900 to Be Spent
q Deemed Best.

- Deeme0 nSW.
New York, March 3o-Stimulated by
President Wilson's criticism Of the pres
ent diplomatic service. because Of the
requirement OF rich men to all the for
eign embassies. the American Embassy
Association will begin second campaign
for the fulfilment of the purpose for
which, 1t was formed-'the promotion and
announcement OF the acquisition by the
United States Of permanent houses for
its Ambassadors in foreign countries"
At the next session Of Congress the Sec
rotary of State will submit recon-
mendation OF policies for foreign lega-
tions, and the question Of specific ap-
propriations will be raised. The matter
may even come up at the special session
of Congress to be called on April Z, or,
IL not then, at the October session. Be-
fore this time the American Embassy
Association hopes TO have made can
vass of the commercial organizations
throughout the United States known to
be in favor of the movement. Each or
sanization, Of which there are more than
600, will be called upon to bring to bear
as much pressure as possible upon tho
members in Congress from its district
Frank d. Pavey, secretary and treas
urer of the association. and Frederick Il.
Coudert. the International lawyer, who Is
a member OF the executive committee,
were today enthusiastic over PRESIDENT
Wilson'S attitude, and believed the time
not far on when a man OF reasonable
means and high attachments would be
enabled to accept q diplomatic post
without the necessity OF paying the
greater part OF his salary in rent, and
without being swamped by the social re-
quirefnents Of the position.
DIR. Eliot's Refusal
The refusal by Charles W. Eliot, presi-
dent emeritus OF Harvard, to accept the
appointment to the Court OF st. James
was commented upon TO-DAY by MEM
Der Of the Embassy Association, who
recalled his refusal to accept the same
post four years ago. AT that time h.
Clarence Jones. president or the Embassy
Association, said:
"A case in point was the recent offer OF
the Embassy of the Court OF St. James
to Dr. Charles w. Eliot, the retiring pres
ident of Harvard University. No diplo-
matte appointment ever met with sucn
instant and widespread approval. But
Dr. Eliot did not accept II and 1t il an
open secret that his reason was the ract
that he did not feel that his private in
come would enable hirn to support an
establishment in London and to enter
tain upon a scale that has come to be
associated with the London Embassy.
INSTANCES are numerous where men or
brains have been turned away from our
diplomatic service by the lack OF emolu-
ment, ard posts in some Instances have
had to be given to men whose only ap-
parent qualification for q diplomatic posi-
tion was that somebody lert them WIN
lot OF money"
Frederick X. Coudert declared this
afternoon that half or the ngnt Tor the
principles advocated by the President had
already been won by the passage last
year Of the Lowden bill providing ''ror
the purchase or erection. within certain
limits Of cost, Of embassy, legation and
consular buildings abroad"
President Wilson's plea" said Mr..
Coudert this afternoon, '1s peculiarly
timely and will enable the association to
continue with renewed confidence its
campaign for larger appropriations, so
that in a reasonably snort time the
United States may possess suitable en-
bassies and homes Tor Ia ambassadors In
the worlds capitals. The Lowden bill.
the form OF which was admirably ADAPT
ed for the purpose. appropriated a net
amount-in that case $5OOOO0-leaving It
within the power OF the Secretary OF
state to apportion the amounts as -
deemed best for use or the various dIpIo-
matte and counsuiar estapnsnments. 1nIs
is by far the better system, since the
Secretary of State. having all the details
in his possession, is enabled to deter
mine where the money may best be
spent.
System Of the Future
I'VE believe this to be the system OF
the future, ana, under the stimulus
given by the President words to pubic
opinion, we should be able to accomplish
great deal toward the reai democrat
ization OF our service.
This association. formed in 1909. began
veritable campaign OF education
throughout the United States Its basic
principle was that under the present sys-
tenn. it was difficult. If not impossible. to
obtain for our important embassies and
ministries the service OF men OF moderate
means, and that IT was rhts necessary to
select our diplomats largely from among
the weather. class. This seemed to us
a wholly undemocratic system anu 90
lead to results quite. Inconsistent with the
traditions of our republic.
1T is not necessary niat Ambassadors
should make a great show, bat they
should at least have such adequate quar-
tiers furnished them as may be compatible
with the dignity Of the country; should
be relieved from the necessity Of paying
the greater part Of their salaries in rent
50 that men Of reasonable means could
take these positions and our diplomatic
service would not fall into the hands Of
the few whose means dispense them
from the necessity or considering the
financial side of the question. 1t would
be a misfortune should the high posts
in the American diplomatic service tend
to become the perquisites Of plutocracy."