Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-06


talns have been much more complex
ana difficult to handle Especially is
TINS true in the many new and novel
legal questions. arising from the
changed conditions of warfare and in
voiVlng contraband.. neutrality, citizen
snip and like subjects of the greatest
international importance. as we'll as the
serious situations arising from inter
ference with neutral commerce, the
protection of American trade and many
related questions of vast commercial i'm
portance. To efficiently handle these
matters. which bid fair to increase
not only during the continuance of the
present conflict. but long after it shall
have ceased. provision must be made
for additional legal and technical as
Sistance.
Great Addition to Work.
1T should be realized that since the
outbreak of the war we have gradual
ly assumed the interests Of belligerent
countries. so that at the present time
our diplomatic and consular officers in
ten countries are caring for the ma
tionals of from one to ten other coun-
tries. The performance of these duties
alone involves great addition to the work
of our administrative and clerical force,
requiring thoughtful consideration and
extensive correspondence relating to
the inspection of prison camps, relief
measures for prisoners of war and in
termed persons, the interference with
Aemrican goods in transit to European
destinations, embargoes on. raw ma
terials and manufactured goods, the
study of new means for extending
American commerce. the identification
and protection of travelling Americans
and the preservation of our own neu-
trality, all these, in addition to matters
even more intimately related to the
war. These questions will continue to
demand our attention, and some of
them increasingly throughout the
progress of the war and long after it
shall have closed; and in the mean
the presentation Of a great number of
claims after the war is over and for
the general readiustment of interna-
tional relations which will follow the
conclusion of peace. Despite the tenn
porary increase in the clerical force of
is being necessarily deferred until the
present stress is relieved. This work
is rapidly accommodating, and Will ul-
timately have to be done. 1t can be
done more efficiently and more effec-
lively by a regular, permanent force,
subject to the particular requirements
of the department, than by a merely
temporary force lacking in that spe-
cific interest which accompanies a
definite status and a certainty of off,
cial tenure.
1.-THE estimates, it will be noted, pro-
vide for a somewhat substantial increase
in the higher grades of clerkships. When
1t is considered that the work exacted of
the employees of this department very
frequently requires special attainments,
as the knowledge of foreign languages,
an understanding of international law,
etc, the difficulty OF securing and retain
ing competent men at inadequate salaries
Is apparent. In view of the unusual con-
~ he aufH
bid fair to continue for some -time-the
employees of this department have had to
work long hours. in many cases foregoing
their annual leaves of absence, and are
entitled to the announcement and re-
ward of promotion for faithful and con- \
scientious service.
"Since the outbreak Of the European
war Congress has provided for a tenn
porary force to assist in the clerical
work of the department. In view OF the
special training which this force has re-
ceived, it would appear in the Interest
of the public service, II the increases
asked for are granted, to permit the
transfer to the permanent rolls of the
from the temporary rolls such
employees who have served upon the lat
ter for period Of at least one year and
who have shown aptitude and emclency
in the performance of their duties.
For some years the department mas
outgrown the limited quarters assigned
to it in the State, War and Navy build
ing, and has had to house several OF
its most important bureaus in outlying
private buildings. At the present time
there are two such annexes occupied by
the bureau of accounts, the citizenship
bureau, the solicitors office ana the
office Of the trade advisers. Every one
fected by the conditions arising from
the European war. The quarters occu-
pied by them are Inadequate and IN
to their purposes. One of
with clerks. and over
loaded with valuable records subject
to total loss In case of fire.
while Congress has provided pre-
plans and a site for much
NEEDED new building for the Department
of state no progress has been made
toward it's erection nor is any immedi-
ate progress in apparent contempla-
ton. 1t seems NECESSARY, therefore, TO
invoke private enterprise to relieve the
depa rtment's present deplorable lack of
proper accommodation. 1t is believed
that private capital may be sufhclently
interested to construct building ade-
duately adapted to the needs of the de-
partment and within close proximity to
the State, War and Navy building if
be given the Secretary or
State to enter into flve or ten year
lease for such a building at a reason
able annual rental. Similar authority
has been several times granted to other
de partments in recent years and seems
to present the only solution to the seri-
Gus problem of inadequate space and
accommodation confronting the Depart
ment of State.
The small Increased estimates for
general and contingent expenses are
necessary because of the demand upon
these funds due to increased work.
1.-THE estimates provide for increases
aggregating $4,000 in the salaries of
seven chiefs of bureaus. The additional
work of the department, due to the
war, has imposed upon these officials
vastly increased duties and responsible
ties. They have assumed these added
burdens uncomplainingly and have
with commendable zeal, re-
eardless of hours. to accomplish the
best results with the necessarily limit
ed forces at their disposal. The pro-
posed increase in their present made
duate salaries is but a slight recogni-
ton of their earnest efforts and of
their devotion to the departments serv-
ice at trying period
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Changes in the office of the Secretary
are estimated for as follows:
Two new clerks. class /. in lieu of
telegraph operator. and one clerk class
q increase of $500 for chief engineer,
5000 for foreman; two new charwomen
at $40; one new mechanic at $500; one
$500; one elevator conductor,
s72O three watchmen fremen at $3.50.
Increase of $3.50 for superintendent of
supplies under the general supply COM
mittee; one assistant messenger at