Mexico Missouri message., 1914-06-18

ciuD. Otherwise the "NatiOnals and
sometimes the Senators" do not play
part ins determining how long con-
gress shall remain In session. II IL q
sane thought that congress certainly
might adjourn this year by July 1 II
the Washington baseball club had not
been playing an important series here
during the month Of May. Virtually
every afternoon at least hundred
members of the house are in attend
ance upon the game.
Here Is what some one else has said
about the congressional situation as
| affected by baseball:
Already once or twice this summer
casual, fleeting reference has appeared
in the Congressional Record about the
absence of members who prefer ball
game to law making. Mr.. McCumber
| of North Dakota was complaining the
other afternoon In the senate, when he
could not get attention for his, grain
inspection bill, of the numbers of his
colleagues who were playing hockey at
the bail park.
"The Washington ball club left town
~
until June %. This fact in itself will
hasten legislation. for the members of
congress will attend more strictly to
their work, because Washington is
singularly barren of amusements 9TH
er than baseball during the summer"
To improve Consular Service.
Senator Stone Of Missouri at the
instance of the state department
has introduced a bill into congress
which changes somewhat the reg
ulations which govern admission to
the consular and diplomatic service
OF the government, and Of appoint
ments and promotions thereto and
therein. It is possible today for young
Americans of good education and
character to enter the consular serv-
Ice without having back of them any
great political influence
II Is a good thing. however. for
young man who wishes to enter the
consular service to secure from a rep
resentative or senator a recommend
alton as to his character and fitness,
but It is understood that as things
sources are nearly il not quite equal
| ly serviceable. However, IL young
man wants to enter the service he
should not trust to outside advice,
but should write to the state depart
ment for Information concerning the
methods OF appointment and the quail
fications necessary to secure posi-
ton.
The consular and diplomatic service
of the United States is not under the
civil service law, but some years ago
when Elihu Root was secretary of
state a plan was adopted by which
the spirit of the merit system was
made largely to prevail In the foreign
service. Under Secretary of State
Root the merit system was strength
ened and now under Secretary Bryan
| the intention is further to strength
en- 1t.
Provision OF Stones Bill.
In the provisions of the bill which
| Senator Stone has introduced there
is strong suggestion that the merit
| system will remain a feature of the
state department IL political pressure
| In the future does not become too
strong. In section of the measure
| the secretary of state Is directed to
report from time to time to the pres
| ident, along with his recommendations
for promotions and transfers, the
names of those secretaries In the
| diplomatic service and of those con-
sular officers or diplomatic officers or
| employees who by reason OF service
have demonstrated special efficiency.
It Is also directed that the names
Of persons found upon examination to
have fitness for appointment to the
lower grades OF the service shall be
reported to the president. II is urged
that an administration conducted upon
considerations of efficiency only will
find in the section quoted from and
in the proposed law generally strong
warrant for declining to make remov-
ais. transfers. promotions or appoint
ments for any reasons except those
based upon merit.
| Under the new law the scope and
method of examinations are to be de-
termined by the examiners, but II
will require consideration OF expert
ence and ability. and the applicants
| will be examined also as to their
knowledge of the resources and COM
merce OF the United States with spe-
cial reference to the development of
export trade. American history. gov
eminent and institutions; something
OF law and one language other than
English. The bill prescribes that
these examinations shall be held at
least once year and that they shall
be conducted with strict impartiality
and without regard &c the political
or other affiliations of any candidate"
Hereafter, II the Stone bill becomes
law. which is almost certain to be
The case, young men who are ap-
pointed to the consular or diplomatic