Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-01


varably does what he to aid the distressed
About all he do matter of fact, is to use his
knowledge of the language whatever it may be- and
request the transportation company to the bag
gage with special expedition because his countryman
usually limited in time. European baggage systems
not rule, good as those of the United States.
difficult to get them to adopt any other than the regular
course The Consul does all he He telephones, he
writes, he probably sends his vice. he has one, or his
secretary the head official, and IS duly and politely
told that all haste being made And usually, if the
lost luggage is not at forthcoming his countryman
lays all the blame on his bent shoulders.
There is still Consul in OF the large European
cities who last year in contact with tourist who
had lost two pieces of baggage This traveller was one
of those with perpetual chip on his shoulder while
abroad He finally told the Consul that he had already
lost two weeks time, and wanted claim made out for
damages The Consul did SO; but the results were no
satisfactory, and tired OF his opportunities and
sarcass the Consul obliged to tell him he could do
no more and had many other duties to meet This
American threatened to bring personal suit against the
Consul for the loss of his trunks Moreover he wrote
to the State Department tso have heard and cost
the department twenty-five thirty letters, to say
nothing of time and hard feeling, finally to itself
that the complaint was unjust.
There are probably thousand of complaint
made to the State Department annually that have no
ground and issue from unsophsticated travellers
who ignorant of why Consul sent to any speci-
fc place. regard him useless and overpaid if he
satisfy them individually, and return home to roast
the service.
~ harest, Rumana, in who wanted the
Consul pay his fare back to America the ground
that he American sailor who had lett his ship
down at Odessa the Black Sea- Bucharest is about
flour hours travel from Odessa is therefore not
seaport and funds the Consuls disposal for
charity The charge daairs at the ministry las hap
pen also to know out of his pocket paid for the
mans ticket back to Kusendje, got the British Consul
General enlisted and between them they secured berth
for the man British tramp steamer.
IN one of the big cities in Italy happened into the
Consus Office in quest of an American newspaper,
and found it about half filled with what appeared to be
theatrical trunks expressed my amazement in half
amused comment; but the Consul sighed and smiled.
"They belong to American music hall artists,
came down here to work. The manager of the house
where they had been sent by booking agent insisted
that the lady should sit around his cabaret after the
show and encourage the wine sales. The husband OBJ
ected, inasmuch as they respectable any
RED couple in the world and after an argument closed
his contract The manager tried to hold them to it,
and then wouldn't relinquish their baggage. They f.
naly got it away through technically and let them
bring it here it can't be held up by Italian legal
ple1ities until they can get other bookings
"Oh lent them money to get them and their baby to
Pe-in," he answered.
And right then l knew that he had been compelled
to do dozens of other Consuls do, stake chance;
fl the government allows funds for such exigences
THERE was once Consul in Moscow who was too
tender hearted, and broke himself financially help
ing impoverished Americans out of difficulties. l am
sorry to say that he incidentally broke also with the
STATE Department. He "too easy" and now the
very who used to borrow from him kind enough
to say The last knew of him he still there
dering like forlorn ghost about the streets
This same Consulate in Moscow is the seat of
the Consul General And most able man he is being
thoroughly familiar with his duties and expert Stats
tician His name is John H. Snodgrass. Russia seemsa
long way off to the average citizen, and not worth
sidering trade relationship although it takes from
several million dollars worth of farm machinery, Ameri-
trotting horses cotton etc. and exports to us mil
lions more. went there to help friend get his pass
ports arranged cold morning in February. 1t
still dark being but little after eight o'clock and