The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-04-01
BRYAN OUTLINES
WORK OF CONSULS
Shows That Duties of Officials Are
Difficult and responsibilities are
Greater Than Many Imagine
NEARLY 900 CONSULAR OFFICERS
Reports Along Commercial Lines Of
Much Value-Assist in Locating
Criminals and Promotes Interests
BY Congressman G. H. Tavenner.

by congressman ". ri. iIaVenneT.
Washington April 1.-Secretar,
of State Bryan has been telling Am
erican business men about the con
sular service of this nation. There
are few government services which
are understood as little as is thu
consular service. This is largely
because the average citizen has new.
er seen an American consul on duty
There is a popular impression that
the consul is a sort. of second-rate
diplomat and that his chief duty is
to look after the needs of Americans
travelling abroad.
AS matter Of fact there is no
government servant who has harder
duties nor who works harder at his
duties than a consul. :. The work, in
fact, is so technical and demands
such expert attention tina. severai
year ago the service was removed
from the political spoils, and adj
vancement, and even admission, in
the service is according to merit.
The Wilson administration has not
attempted to disrupt this civil SER
vice, although there were many Re-
puplicans who predicted that - this
would be done. -.
From Sweden to Australia the
world is dotted with American con-
sulates, each in charge of compe-
tant officer. We now have 800 con-
sulates and 233, consular agencies,
with nearly 900 consular officers.
The scope of their duties is sur
prising in extent. The consuis
chief duty is to obtain information
of one sort or another, and during
the course of year consuls reply to
thousands of inquiries on every con-
ccivabla subject from an2ca to the
zulla plant. These replies are for
waGledSby the State Departments: to
the various interested departments
in Washington, or to private citi-
zens. A large part of this infOrma-
ion is commercial in character, as
the consul is the advance agel.t of
American trade, among other duties,
and is continually seeking new mar
kets for American products.
His reports along commercial
lines are brought to the attention of
manufacturers through the Daily
Consual Report, printed publica-
ton with wide circulation. De-
tailed information is sent to indivi-
dual manufacturers who file their
addresses with the Deartment OF
Commerce to receive such reports.
The consul cooperates with every
government Department. For the
Treasury Department he detects un.
der valuations by American import
ers buying products abroad, and fire.
quently, through the work of con-
suls the government has collected
large sums from importers who were
evading the tariff law.
For the Department of Argicul.
ture he assists in the introduction
of foreign plants for propagation in
this country. For the Department
of Labor he collects statistics on i'm.
migration, wages, labor conditions
unemployment, old age, pensions anc
similar subjects.
To the Postoffice regulations ant
parcel post. ...,..-.
For the Interior Department HI
takes charge of the payment of gov
eminent pensions to Americans re
siding in foreign countries. Fo,
the Navy he furnishes information
about rivers and harbors, light
houses, wireless stations, and tn
like.
In addition the consuls locate los
relatives and escaped criminals set
ties estates of Americans abroad; in
vestigates inheritances; supervise
the hiring and discharge of American
sailors; and in general safeguard
and promotes American interes
abroad He is a mighty busy per
son. Us
The service is nearly self sustain
ing 1t costs $1,972, 900 to pay sal
aries, ETC., but the consulates collec
annually $1,S52,OO in fees, maxim,
the net cost of the service abou
$4,000 year.
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