THE CABINET: Diplomat Dulles

Allen W. Dulles is no dullard. He resigned from the U. S. diplomatic corps because he could not afford to be promoted to the post of Counselor of the Legation at Peking. His salary— was to be $8,000 a year. Neither is Mr. Dulles extravagant. He can easily live on his salary, but with his rise in rank and diplomatic importance he must entertain accord- ingly and put on the swank that is expected of a legate of the U. S. Said he in a letter to Secretary of State Kellogg: “The financial burden involved in the acceptance of the higher positions in the diplomatic service is such that outside resources are increasingly necessary. Under these circumstances it seems unwise for one who is not able materially to supplement his salary from his private resources to follow a diplomatic career beyond the point which his means justify.” Thus, young, able Mr. Dulles is lost to the Department of State after serving with distinction for ten years in Europe and the Near East. Even the New York Times became editorially excited: “A Franklin could live in modest chambers and wear the plainest of clothes while representing an infant republic. But the world— like the American people—demands today that the United States be less niggardly toward its officials abroad.” Within the last two years Congress has also decided that something ought to be done to lift the U. S. diplomat out of the tatterdemalion era. In 1924 the Rogers Act combined the consular and diplomatic corps into a single foreign service, and increased most of the salaries. At the last session Congress passed the Porter Bill which provides for the gradual acquisition and construction of Official residences for U. S. ambassadors and ministers. It is obvious that the next step may well be the adoption of a system of adequate allowances for the diplomats, based on the cost of living in various capitals.

—Salaries of various U. S. officials: Ambassador $17,500 Envoy 10,000 Consul general and consuls 3,500 to 9,000 The President 75,000 The Vice President 15,000 Cabinet Member 15,000 Chief Justice of Supreme Court 20,500 Associate Justice 20,000 Senator 10,000 Speaker of the House 15.000 Representative 10,000