The Detroit times., 1913-11-11
RAYMOND w. PULLMAN.
Times W0shia0f0n Bureau. No.
MefropoHfan BGnk Building.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. Nov. IL
A human-interest story Of the kind
which IL not fire.
Reclamation Quently brought to
Controller. light out Of the
records OF the gov
eminent departments lies back OF the
announcement by Secretary Lane or
the appointment of w. A. Ryan as
controller OF the United States re-
clamation service. Mr.. Ryan was Tor
merly connected with the interstate
commerce commission. and In his
new position In the interior depart
ment will serve as controller, and
also as a member of the reclamation
commission. which. according to the
plans of Secretary Lane. will be CON-
posed OF the director. chief engineer.
chief counsel ana controller of the
reclamation service, I'm this manner
subdividing the authority and respon-
sibility and sharing the manifold du'
ties and powers which heretofore de-
yolyed entirely upon the director.
The story back Of the announce
ment illustrates what many men In
public life know to be one OF Secre-
tary Lanes strongest characteristics;
that is, his ability to win and retain
the loyalty and devotion Of friends
and followers OF youth and early man
hood. and his fidelity to them during
the years. More than a quarter or
century ago Mr.. Lane, as an optimis-
tic youth, afire with enthusiasm Tor
political principles he had espoused,
bought a Pacific coast newspaper
wherein he could advocate those prin'
ciples. He found young Ryan, the
same one to whom he has just given
the position as controller OF the re-
clamation service, reporter at that
time upon the paper which he had
purchased. Ryan discovered In the
new publisher just the kind OF man
he liked, and the young reporter gave
instant fealty to the cause for when
Mr.. Lane was working. Together
they fought for the things they be-
lieyed In, and together they failed to
bring about a local political millen-
MUM for which they had hoped. Un-
discouraged. however. they fought on.
Mr.. Lane lost his money. but never
his courage nor his faith In the ulti-
mate triumph of the principles IN
which he believed. When at last
those PRINCIPLES began to receive ma
tional recognition, and Mr.. Lane was
chosen to help to administer the IN.
terstate commerce laws, which he %
long advocated the enactment OF, ne
did not forget the young reporter who
was loyal to him on the Pacific coast
but called him in to partake OF the
victory and of the responsibilities Of
the final triumph Of the things which
they fought for Is years ago. and hao
failed.
Mr.. Ryan had not remained news
paper man, but like his former man
| aging editor, he had turned TO Other
fields of activity where he prosperee
and gained success and prominence
When the opportunity was given him
however. to get back into the, game
under the banner OF his old chief
who had employed him on the Pacii'
coast, and to work for the things II
which they were both Interested. 10
the ideals, the principles and the poll
cies OF those other days, he lost NJ
time In getting on his coat and join
ing Mr.. Lane In service lor the gov
eminent.
Controller Ryan became closely an
intimately associated with Secretar
Lane during the latter's term as In
terstate commerce commissioner
Having served him in the confidentla
caracity Of special examiner. and
such was intrusted with some OF TN
most important work OF the commits
sion. notably the so-called express II
vestigation. Under the direction
Secretary Lane. Mr.. Ryan made al
exhaustive study Of express rates. az
counts and practices. and based upol
the dev ,lopments Of that study MI
Lane prescribed the new system o
rates. accounts and practices to which
the express COMPANIES have recent!
given final acqniescence after nearl!
three years of determined resistance
and opposition.
| With the new reclamation commits
sion, the present administration hopei
! to put the work Of Irritating the vas
areas OF desert land OF the west or
a better footing than has ever beer
possible under the former plan OF or
SANITATION OF the reclamation service
It IL Secretary Lanes plan that. by
this subdivision OF authority and re-
sponsibilty, each OF the Officers VIII
be brought into closer and more init