Evening journal., 1922-12-21
CONSUL GENERAL SKINNER ADVOCATES
rlII
ROGERS, BILL

GlyUyHIs bill is business BILL" declared Consul
Il General Robert P. Skinner Of the London con-
sulate who Is home leave, and who teshes before
the House Committee Foreign Affairs in the hear
nss which that committee has been conducting the
Rogers bill for reciassihcaton and reorganization
the United States foreign service. Under this bill
we will have foreign service organization function
ing one head instead OF organizations under
heads. II breaks down the wall between the con-
sular and diplomatic services. The diplomatic officer
will gain knowledge OF commerce. while the
sular win have opportunity acquaint himself
with workings OF foreign governments" Mr.
skinner in the United States consular service
going on tveny-ex years his in
varied and highly Important and he holds the
highest position achevabe the consular service
der the present law. He knows his subject a
Buddhist knows his beads.
So far as the Rogers bill concerned It means
to Mr. skinner personally the way OF advancement
increased pay but to the young who contemplate
entering the service and to those who turning
down tempting offers from private the hope
that the bill may become law, It deal.
The features OF the Rogers bill the reclassi
ncation by which all below the grades OF ambassador
minister classified foreign service officers,
with salaries ranging from $4,000 $4,000 annually.
retirement provision superannuated foreign
officers ranging from s4SOO to sS75 according to
length OF service retirement being years of
age the interchangeabillty provision by which
officers may be designated TO act diplomatic
officers the discretion the STATE Department
after analyzing the capabilities OF the personnel
where desired train a in both phases OF
foreign approximation.
As matters stand now two consu's out Of 400 might
aspire every years to reach the top aud be ap-
pointed to London Paris at $4,000 and then be
tired after having the best part their lives to
service OF their country abroad with no more con-
sderaon than is accorded antiquated locomotive
the engineer OF which, under present railroad policies
is retired annuity. We have retirement pay pro-
yided for officers Of the army after thirty years or
of service. s70Oo00O in the aggregate annually
and for the navy officers sS7OOOoO. We have provided
for retirement of classified employees the Federal
vice by contribution of ~ per 70 their salaries
and for foreign service have provided nothing
contrary to the practice Of every Of consequence
abroad The Rogers bill proides per cent contri
button from their services go into this fund The
total additional of putting foreign on
efficient basis under the bill would be ss7sOOo equal
the pay and emoluments four British chiefs OF
mission.
As for the combining Of the services the bill con-
templates innovation, that has been done by
most Of the European countries AS Secretary Hughes
declared tesfying in support OF the bill 1T will
democratize the service President Harding also
strongly approves the measure, Director Of Con-
suiar Service Carr declared It be the best bill yet
offered for the consideration Congress Democratic
as well as Republican members Of the committee ap-
peared TO favor the measure should have iltte
if any, opposition the House. It escapes legsia-
tive jam in the Senate 1t viii become law and reco d
another constructive achievement by the Republican
party