The present state of the Treasury makes it unfortunately incumbent upon us to continue for another year the socalled furlough system. which is now a part of our appropriation laws. but I shall not vote to make this reduction in pay any greater. than it now is. I most particularly call to the attention of the House how dangerous it would be to impose an additional 11 per cent salary cut on our representatives abroad. In my official work as chairman of the Immigration Committee. I had the opportunity during my sojourn in Europe. at the time Congress was in recess to observe the details of the work performed by the consuls and their representatives abroad. In this connection I visited a number of countries and become personally acquainted with a large number of our officials on the other side. We have in our consulates abroad not only members of the Foreign Service of the United States but in a few places medical officers as well. who are detailed to perform their duties in accordance with the requirements of our immigration laws. I was curious to see how the financial depression which has so largely affected life and living in the United States was reflected abroad. I concluded generally that. while food was very much lower in price than it is in the United States. nevertheless living conditions generally were at a much higher scale. and particularly it was quite difficult for our consuls and other officials of the Foreign Service to make both ends meet. in view of the fact that these men are obliged to live rather better than the average run of individuals on the other side of the ocean. they are obliged to maintain the dignity and prestige of our Government. and that by doing so they must incur liabilities which other citizens are not obliged to undergo.
Keywords matched
Immigration immigration