Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-06
BY WILL p. KENNEDY.
ME business interests Of the coun-
try. through their great trade


try. through their great trade
organizations. are protesting to
members of the House and Sen
ate against the reductions. totaling more
than q million dollars. that have been
made in the diplomatic. and consular APP
preparation bill, under the current funds.
for trade promotion service. They de-
clare that now more than ever before
enlcient foreign service is needed to
assure markets for surplus production.
A short-sighted policy, they insist. such
as they see in the consular appropriation
bin, as it passed the House. would rem
der the great American merchant ma
xine worthless.
I, And Congress is paying great deal
of attention to these protests. with the
prospect that the bill, when it passes
the Senate, will carry about the same
amounts as for the current fiscal year.
A year ago the House similarly in an
appropriation bill cut out the entire COM
mercial attache service of the Depart
ment Of Commerce. and a howl went
up from the business interests. as a re-
suit Of which the service was restored.
Now the attempt has been made to econ
omize on the consular service, which
furnishes trade and economic informa-
ton which the Department Of Commerce
supplies for the guidance Of business
interests.
Reduction Of $S35.70O.
When the diplomatic and consular
appropriation bill was framed it show
ed a reduction Of $S35,700 under cur
rent appropriations. principally In SAL
aries for the consular service and for
clerks at embassies and legations,
whose principal business is in taking
care of foreign trade interests of the
United States. Points Of order made
while the bill was under discussion
Knocked out several other items. the
most vital being $25o.ooo for post al
lowances to allow the foreign trade
agents Of this government to live in
China, Japan and the British prov
inces. where depreciation of currency.
rates Of exchange or high cost Of liv-
kilograms and letters and petit
lions from the biggest trade organi-
xations in their districts have been
deluging members Of the House and
Senate, and more than a dozen Of the
most powerful organizations have
sent personal representatiyeaAstosl m--
press upon House and Senate lssG--
ers the necessity for efficient per-
sonal representation of this govern
ment in the foreign markets. The ap-
peals to Congress are being made by
such people az William c. Reddeld,
former Secretary OF Commerce, now
president Of the American Manufac-
turers' Export Association; o. z. Da-
Wis, secretary Of the National Foreign
Trade Council: John F. Fowler. pres
fdent Of the American Exporters and
importers Association; William e.
Peck, chairman Of the committee on
foreign commerce of the Chamber, Of
Commerce Of the State of New York;
]. Philip Bird. general manager of the
National Association Of Manufacture
ers: J. B. Morrow. director Of the
Mississippi Valley Association. which
speaks for twenty-seven great pro-
ducing states: John NJ. Glenn. the H.
linois Manufacturers Association: the
Seattle Chamber of Commerce and
many others.
Blane Steering Committee.
Those who are speaking for the
business interests feel that Repre-
sentative John ]. Rogers Of Massa-
chusetts. chairman Of the subcom-
mittee that framed the appropriation
bill. and who. for eight years as q