The Washington times., 1915-10-05
F.L.POLK IS LAUDED
FOR WORK AS PREMIER
Makes Good Record As Substi-
tute When Secretary Of
State Takes Vacation.

Frank l. Polk. ths' counselor for the
State Departent. who was head Of the
department through the vacation of
Secretary Lansing. has by this time be-
come pretty thoroughly initiated into
the business OF administering one of the
greatest offices of the Government 1t
has been sudden and arduous schooling
into which Mr.. Polk has entered. and
he has proven an apt pupil in the judg-
ment Of those with whom he has come
in contact.
Mr.. Polk was plunged into the work
80 Of being Secretary Of State much sooner
than 1t was expected he would be be.
cause Of the fact Secretary Lansing.
who carried a big burden Of duties all
through the spring and summer, went to
the eastern shore of Lake Ontario on n
vacation trip. Formerly. In case of the
absence of the Secretary Of State. the
first assistant became acting head of
the department. But since the days of
John Bassett Moore. the counselor has
ranked next to the Secretary of State.
Therefore. Mr.. Polk. as counselor. acts
as head, Of the department when Mr..
Lansing Is not on duty, just as Mr..
Lansing acted as Secretary OF State in
tn Bryan regime when Mr., Bryan was
absent.
1s ouuueHIy Saltcu.
Mr.. Polk had not had time to get
acquainted with his desk as counselor
when he was called on to run the
State Department He was In charge
Of It for about two weeks and In that
time did good service. In the opinion
Of men who have opportunities to know
what Is going on at the State Depart
ment. Mr.. Polk has made gbod."
The duties Of corporation Counsel OF
New York and those Of counselor and
Secretary Of State are long-distance
apart. When Mr.. Polk was named,
there was general wondermcnt why he
had been chosen. Much comment was
heard to the effect that what was needed
was not such lawyer as might make a
good corporation counsel but an inter-
national lawyer. and expert In the hand
ling Of the legal problems that diplo-
pointment. Il was explained. was per
sonal with Mr. Lansing. who knew Mr..
Polk long time. and had a high opin-
ion OF him.
Soon Learns Subjects.
When Mr.. Polk came here and, in fact,
before he came. he proceeded TO bone
up" on international law and on the
leading questions before the State De-
partment. This involved lot Of hard
labor He has stuck to It so asslduous-
ly. however. that he has already got
good grasp Of the departmental busi-
ness. He can talk on the Lusitania case
as fluently as II he had written the
notes on the subject. and has found out
a lot about the ways of diplomacy. He
handled the case OF DR.. Du.nba person.
ally, and managed it with sufficient
skill so there has been so hitch and no
serious unpleasantness with the Aus
trian government. Thus far. Mr. Polk
has shown both capacity OF a lawyer
and an international affairs student.
AMI has given evidence of rooj iudg
ment and common sense. qualifications
not always present among high Cow
ernment fnnctionaries That The rela :
Polk will be HARMONIOUS is expscred in
view OF their past close acquaintance.
ana the new counselor In that event
VIII, doubtless. prove valuable ac-
the belief of those who have To dcni
Win me department that is today SO
CONSPICUOUS before the American neonie