Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1922-09-21
BY JAMES p. HoRNApAY


and agents in the diplomatic service
of the United States since March 4.
1921. made by the National Civil Serv-
ice Reform league, seems TO indicate
that an earnest effort has been made
20 retain the services of men of ex-
perience and to appoint to diplomatic
posts persons with qualifications in
diplomacy.
OF the total Of nine ambassadors
appointed by this administration, the
league finds that five are John w.
Riddle. formerly ambassador to Rus
sia, appointed ambassador to Argen-
tina; Henry z. Fletcher, formerly am
bassador TO Mexico, appointed to Bel
GUM; William M. Collier. formerly
minister to Spain, appointed ambassa-
dor to Chile; Myron I. Herrick re-
appointed ambassador to France, and
Cyrus e. Woods formerly minister to
Portugal, appointed ambassador to
Spain. Besides these ambassadors
appointed by President Harding, Ed
win " Morgan, who was appointed
ambassador TO Brazil by President
Taft in 1912, has been retained by
the present administration.
Out of total of 80 ministers now
serving in the diplomatic corps, six
have had previous experience in the
diplomatic service and eight are APP
pointees of previous administrations
retained by the present administra-
ton OF these eight ministers six
we're promoted tom the grade Of sec
rotary In the diplomatic service by
President Wilson and retained by
President Harding. One of the minis
tiers given appointment by President
Harding was promoted from the grade
of secretary in the diplomatic service.
This is Charles s. Wilson, minister-to
Bulgaria.
Good Record for First Year.
Two agents and consuls general and
one minister resident and consul gen.
eral. in addition to 16 ministers and
four ambassadors. made up a total of
% appointments Of persons without
any previous experience.
While many OF the % appointments
made Of persons without previous dip
iomatic experience operated as rec
ignition of political obligations, the
evil of such appointments, the league
says. is largely abated by the present
administration and contrasts favor
ably with the records of the first year
OF the other administrations. For
this record President Harding and
| Secretary Hughes are to be commend
ed President Harding Is, furthermore,
in the view of the league, deserving
Of commentator in that he selected
/ for secretary Of state a man of the
highest qualifications and one devoted
to the merit principle.
A still better showing is found, how
ever, in turning to the consular serv-
! ice, where an unequaled record of adj
! herence to the merit system has been
i made. During the first Is months of
the administration of President Hard
| ing there has not been a single ex-
ception to the rules requiring appoint
ments through examination In the
consular service. The original ap-
pointments have all been made strict
ly in accordance with executive orders
and the promotions In the service
have been based more strictly than
ever before upon an impartial determi-
nation of the relative efficiency of the
officers in the service. The basis of
the promotions made is a report of
/ the relative merit of all the officers
in the consular service prepared by
board of review showing the relative
efficiency Of the various officers.
Consular Showing is Excellent.
out Of 102 appointments TO posts
in the consular service, Is have been
TO the grade Of consul, class (the
lowest grade), as the result of en-
4 trance examinations. The remaining
Il 81 appointments of consuls and con
suls general have constituted promo
lions of men all of them having an
average of ten years experience. The
three consular inspectors whose ap-
pointments are included In this mum
Der entered the service after exami-
nation. one as student interpreter, an
other as consular assistant and the
third as consul with previous expert
ence as vice-consul not of career.
In the secretarial grades Of the dip
loraatie service there have been total
of SO appointments, II Of which have
been original appointments in the low
est class (class ~ through examina
tion. The remaining q have been OF
four secretaries, class 1. with an av.
: erage OF 10 years experience each,
: and ten secretaries of class 3, with
an average of six years experience
. each.
Amons the recommendations made
by the leagues committee on foreign
service perhaps the most important
is that which urges that political con
siderat.ons be entirely Eliminated and
that the merit principle be applied to
appointments and promotions in the
foreign service