The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-22
MERIT TO COUNT
AND NOT POLITICS
shakeup in Diplomatic Service
is Planned by President
After New Term
Begins.
REGARD FOR EFFICIENCY
Tho Best Man for tho Place to be
Appointed, Regardless Of What
Ticket He
supports.
REGARD FOR EFFICIENCY
[By Robert ]. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent

[By Robert J. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-President
Wilson is planning q shakeup OF the
diplomatic service after March four.
Custom decrees that all American
diplomats submit their designations
at the close of every presidential
term-and this is expected to offer
the president his opportunity to I'M
prove the diplomatic service with
less politics and more regard for ef-
ficiency."
In this connection there was an
unconfirmed report today that Sec
retary OF State Lansing might spc-
coed Ambassador Walter Hines Page
at London.
Deserving democrats" in the dip
lomatic service are scheduled to go.
the president has Indicated his de-
sire to secure for the future the serv-
ices OF secretaries in diplomatic serv-
ice who have proved themselves es.
pecially adapted to such work. BY
promoting them to the rank OF min
iseer ana Ambassador. In this way
the president hopes to Install Into the
whole diplomatic service the principle
OF promotion by efficiency and not
necessarily by seniority"
The president will OF course, hold
himself free to choose ministers and
ambassadors from outside the diplo-
matte corps, should he find men
peculiarly qualified" for diplomatic
work.
The diplomatic shakeup Is only one
OF q numoer OF plans which the presi-
dent has in mind for Improvement IN
the administrative end OF the gov
ernment. He desires not only to set
a new standard of efficiency in diplo-
matte appointments, but to carry this
same idea into the selections of
members OF various federal commits
sions and boards.
A new budget system for national
expenditures is contemplated to OBJ.
tain a maximum OF efficiency and min
imum of waste as well as to permit
of complete checking up Of where
funds go.
In this plan for itemization Of ex-
penses will come also systematiza-
ton of rivers and harbors improve
ments and flood control.
The presidents general plan for
increasing administrative efficiency
also contemplates granting of per
mission by congress for cabinet
members to appear on the floor OF
the house and senate and discuss
features Of administration bills.
With the close of the present ses-
sion of congress, the president ex-
poets the major portion OF his legis-
lative progtam-that which he had in
mind when he first took ofilce-to
have been enacted into law.
There will be other legislation, but
with the presidents ideas on feder-
al reserve banks. rural credits and
other legislation consummated, he
has told friends his next efforts will
be directed more toward the admin
istrative branch of the government.
He is expected to set standard
for federal boards in the selection of
his tariff commission. Incidentally
in this connection, he has eMperienc-
ed such hardship in getting suitable
men at the low salaries allowed that
he Is expected to make an appeal to
congress for more ample remunera-
ton.