Evening star., 1920-01-11
HOLDING DOWN ON TRADE COSTS

Nv 1 AAAAOA VVA IN
far too much mushroom growth I'm
organisations dealing with foreign
trade caused by the sudden emer-
gency. This rapid growth, although
no doubt merited by special oppor-
tunities, is not as a rule as fruitful
as more healthy growth along lines
Of gradual development. He impress
ed upon members Of Congress that
it is exceedingly fortunate that the
bureau Of foreign and domestic COM
merce has already had steady period
Of development over q number OF
years, during which time consider
able experience has been attained In
foreign trade promotion work. Mem
bers Of the staff have had an oppor-
tunity to be seasoned and the organt-
xation has been perfected.
~r;-~ -.;s- X
The total appropriations asked for
the fiscal year 1921 amount to $1.647,-
) 190 as compared to $780,
Commend TO. which has been pro-
ax vided for the fiscal year
Attacnes' ending June 80. 1920. OF
this $500. 600 is sought for. the COM
mercial attaohe service, which, during
the present fiscal. year, has had $685.
600. This increase is partially to give
Is per cent increases in salaries. Sal
aries OF commercial attaches at pres
ent range from IS. 900. to $500. In
view OF the fact that the cost of
living at most foreign posts h! has
doubled during the. past Few years,
these salaries are now inadequate, al
though q, few years ago they would
have been sufficient.
Commercial attaches must OF neces-
sfty live In such q manner at their posts
al to be able to associate on friendly
terms with representative ofncials and
business men. The government gives
no funds whatever for such entertain
ment Commercial attaches having
severe difhculties to- maintain them
selves on the scale on which they feel
they should in their official position, are
likely to become worried and discon-
tented Being men who have mature
economic and business training, they
often have attractive. positions in pri-
vate business offered to them-and this
is especially true at the present time.
During the i've years in which the serv-
ice has been established-at the solici-
tation of the Chamber Of Commerce of
the United States-many commercial
attaches have resigned to accept
business positions.
Some Of the best men in the service at
the present time Cannot be held beyond
next June unless
Salaries Must Be salaries are In
creased, Director
Ancieaso0' Kennedy says. In
order to maintain the quality Of service
he believes that an increase Of Is per
cent is required.
This increased appropriation 10 also
asked to enable the establishment OF
new posts. At a time when a large part
Of the world is in a state OF commercial
adjustment, commercial attaches are es-
pecially needed in American embassies
not at present provided for. In view
Of the unsettled. conditions. at present
prevailing, Director Kennedy does not
deem it advisable to state definitely at
what posts they are most needed. By
June It will probably be. highly Inn
portant.. he says. to have commercial at
ttaches in such places as Constantinople
and Warsaw. -Four new POSTS at a
minimum arc estimated for. T7''-
1 For promoting commerce. $500, ,000s is
asked instead Of $325.000, as has been
provided for the current fiscal year.
Out OF CnlS sum IL ID nOpoQ TO spend
$125. 900 on district offices. in various
cities where only $4,000 is permitted
for the present fiscal year. These dis
trict Offices. it. is. emphasized. render
/ important service as centers for distri-
button Of commercial information. It
Is desired to be able to pay larger SAL
aries as rewards to district managers
for efficient service, and, to- fill these
positions, when vacant, with men who
have had practical experience abroad.
The balance Of the, fund, which is. to
be. utilized for prometing commerce
except in. the far: east and Latin
America. for. which there are .speciaj
funds, would be used for increasins
the salaries OF trade, commissioners
TOR adding TO. the number Of these
Iinvesti9atore- and for meeting other
Iexpenses entaiied in promoting COM
marce. a -.
For trade promotion in Latin
America $500 is asked as against
$100. 900 this year. and the same for
| the far east. These increases will pro-
vide for an extension Of the work in
these important foreign markets.
~
"A bill has been presented to Con-
gress providing for the promotion OF
~ foreign commerce
Trade Making by means Of motion
| = ,i~.a..1 r,,. pictures to- be con-
| '-S 80, : = Quoted by the bu-
reau yf foreign and domestic COM
merce. ., In order that funds may be
available for this: work, $sa.ooe is
asked. - rs.as z7f's 80 :..is.
For statutory salaries In Washing
ton $3ls,oaQ 10 asked. ana this does
mot carry any increases. although the
Iomcials warn that unless the joint
congressional reclaasidcation commis-
sion makes provision. the service win
I be- weak. particularly in one Of its
vital points Decentralization. The in
! crease asked Is purely to permit en-
| ployment Of additional clerks to meet
the REQUIREMENT from increased fQr-
leigh work SO that the Information OBJ
EtAined may be made available. With
ont these increases the valuable. re-
ports on conditions abroad will not
| be utilised to the FULLEST extent Tor
1.-The benefit.of American business men.
u