himself a very considerable income he must resign or remain a bachelor.

In the consular service the entrance salaries compare very favorably with those of other countries, but in the higher grades, where the expense of living is great and the necessity of a certain amount of entertaining is imposed upon the representative, our salaries are inadequate and are lower than those paid by other governments.

There is some danger that a penurious officer might skimp to pocket his savings from a really fair or generous salary, and instances are known in other services where this has happened. When once a pension system has been established the sole justification for such a course is eliminated. It can be made impossible by making the appropriations for specific expense allowances, such as outfit, rent, domestic service, and entertainment fund. With an adequate allowance for such necessary expenses the officer would find a modest salary sufficient to cover all additional expenses, especially when the Government shall provide embassies and consulates in the principal cities. To recapitulate the items or heads which the expense allowance should include:

Outfit: An original appointment or change to a new post necessitates a heavy outlay and should be covered by an allowance graded according to rank and marital condition. Such an allowance for outfit is provided for in the regulations of almost all countries.

Rent: A "house or rent allowance" should be made in every case where an official residence is not provided for the officer and his family.

Service: Even when the government owns its embassies

and consulates it would be better to allow the representative a certain sum to pay for domestic service. There should also be provision made for the salary of a private secretary to officers holding important posts.

Entertainment fund: Ambassadors, ministers, counselors of legation, and certain consuls should be allowed expenses for necessary entertaining. It is absolutely necessary for any self-respecting diplomat or consular representative to reciprocate the hospitalities and courtesies shown him. Through his social relations the diplomat or consul picks up valuable information and learns of openings for the trade of his country.1

Many good Americans who believe in the simple life question the advisability of appropriations for entertaining. They are likewise unwilling to vote for the pur

1 One of our ablest consuls recently stated to a member of the committee: "Unless a Consul has the advantage of personal acquaintanceships developed in other ways than by direct official appeals it is impracticable for him to get at the underlying factors in trade situations. Few business men of any importance will discuss frankly and thoroughly the projects in which they are interested with any man who approaches them merely as a petty official of a foreign country. I believe that a Consul residing in a foreign community as an outsider,―i.e. not as an accepted social member of the community can prepare only superficial commercial reports. About two years ago the 'World's Work' published an article entitled 'If Business Were in the Open,' setting forth rather frankly the well-recognized fact that commercial entrepreneurs operate the world over with the utmost reticence as to their plans and motives; and this is true in foreign countries even more than in the United States. American Consular officers, who are at the present time financially unable to associate on anything like personal equality with the substantial elements of the countries to which they are accredited, are in general forced to confine their reports to matters of common knowledge."

chase of a large embassy. A little practical experience would convince them that entertaining and a reasonably imposing embassy are the greatest aids to economize the time of an Ambassador or other diplomat. A great many people call on the Ambassador, and for one reason or another they must be shown some consideration. If the Ambassador can ask them to dinner he can entertain a large group on one of his free evenings. On the other hand, if he tries to lead too simple a life, without these appanages of power, he is likely to offend many people to whom he does not feel that he can devote a large part of his valuable time. It is the opportunity of getting the greatest return from the brains and training of our diplomats, and not the desire to rival the establishments of royalty or to waste Government money, which makes the strongest argument in favor of an adequate entertainment fund.

The Republic should be in a position to call its ablest men to fill these important diplomatic and consular positions, and it is absolutely essential to stop the draining away of the best men in the service because of the impossibility of maintaining their position on the present inadequate salaries.

Adequate Pension or Retirement System

It is of first importance to adopt an adequate retirement system, such as prevails in the British and French services. Such a retirement system is needed for our whole Government employment service, but it is particularly important for the foreign service. The country has recognized the necessity in the case of the Army and Navy, and the maintenance of an efficient foreign

service is no less important to the vital interests of the country, for our diplomatic and consular representatives are the great agents of peace; they warn the country of coming dangers. They help to develop the life-giving stream of international commerce.

Post Allowances

During the present war the exceptionally distressing situation caused by the rise in the price of living has been met by an allotment of post allowances in the diplomatic and consular service. Naturally the officials of the State Department have requested further appropriations to permit the continuation of this system. It is very important that this should be done. The diplomatic and consular service should have a fixed salary for each grade, and post allowances should be determined to equalize the cost of living between the different points. These allowances should be revised from time to time and published in the Annual Register of the State Department. If they are kept secret as at present they will engender suspicion on the part of many of the recipients, and there will also be a tendency to play politics to secure a favorable manipulation of the fund.

Transportation Expenses

There is another abuse which has at last been curedthe unjust system of appropriations to cover the expenses of transportation. In the past diplomatic and consular officers have been required to pay out of their own pockets transportation and necessary expenses for traveling while in the fulfillment of their duties. The diplomat and consul should receive fair treatment. The reasonable expense of transportation for himself and

family should be paid. No representative can be expected to perform his duties effectively if he be separated from his family. In many instances the diplomat's wife is of great assistance in carrying out the social obligations of his office.

The Diplomatic and Consular Appropriation Act of March 4, 1919, has corrected this injustice by providing:

To pay the itemized and verified statements of the actual and necessary expenses of transportation and subsistence under such regulations as the Secretary of State may prescribe, of diplomatic and consular officers and clerks in embassies, legations, and consulates, and their families and effects in going to and returning from their posts, or when traveling under orders of the Secretary of State, but not including any expense incurred in connection with leaves of absence, $145,000.

Travel in Consular District

Consuls and diplomats should be allowed reasonable amounts to travel within their district or country. The information thus acquired would be of immediate value to the Government and increase the interest of the agent in his work.

Vexatious Audits

Whenever the officers of the State Department wish to take any action which entails expense, they must examine the appropriations to see whether such expenditure is authorized, and if in their opinion it is, a proper voucher is made showing the expense incurred. The official who has been authorized to incur the expense transmits the voucher to the Auditor for the State and other departments for audit, that he may be reimbursed. This latter official is a subordinate of the Comptroller