882.00/636: Telegram
The Minister in Liberia (Johnson) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received February 28—5:55 a.m.]
23. Act fixing salaries and allowances of Commissioner General and Commissioners of Interior was passed by Legislature. Financial Adviser says this act was drafted and passed without his knowledge. Legation informed act is President’s measure. Act creates District Commissioners of the Interior of the second class each to receive $2000 salary and $500 allowance per annum and District Commissioners of the Interior of the third class each to be paid $1000 allowance per annum. Legation understands interim commissioners of second and third class are to be Liberians but number to be appointed not stated in act. It is quite probable that more will be appointed than are necessary. Doubtless President will be sole judge of number and qualifications of appointees. As no plan of organization of interior administration has yet been adopted legislation creating offices above cited is untimely and may render any effective reforms in interior impossible since President will likely make several appointments under authority of this act in near future.