Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-26
Our New Secretary of State
-ritarnrr nirart.


Tn THE photographs Of Robert Lansing, our new
secretary OF state features reveal in line
the qualities all the world has TO acknowl-
edge charscteristcslly American There are firm
ness strength persisency, energy keen insight, fear
less honesty hunor-the necessary attributes
OF what take pride In calling the American spirit
and which nowhere may more appropriately be found
than t.; the Department OF state They have, indeed
had great deal to do with the nations international
policy thus far we are informed by "a member
Of the United States diplomatic service who AYERS
that Mr. Lansing assisted materially in the wording
Of various notes to Germany and England.
The office counselor" are told, which MT.
lansing held is second in rank to that OF secretary
Of state, and invented by Secretary Knox for
Henry NJ. Hoyt a lawyer OF more professional I'm
portance than most government officials. II was
cepted the beginning Of the present administration
by John Bassett Moore who enjoyed the highet rep
utaton an author international law but failed
to agree with Mr. Bryan Mr. Lansing then stepped
into the place. II is mistake suppose that he was
rival Of the Nebraska orator. In fact heaced often
a mediator TO smooth out friction between the
president and the secretary"
II the supposltion OF his opposition to Bryan has
arisen II s perhaps due. much anything. 20 the
fact OF their very different personates Lansing IL
the quiet efficient forceul self-contrOlled type Of
American who runs organization while others are
making fuss.
The secretary stands about five feet inches
weighs 1856 pounds He s we'll set up and exceed-
ngly neat appearance In fact he IL known
the best-dressed man among the higher government
officials presenting odd contrast 10 the iate secre
tary. lie has thick, closely cropped iron-gray haf
and a small neatly trimmed, gray mustache At this
time OF year he usually wears gray cutawsy coat.
striped trousers. and soft gray hat. He goes to
church with his wife twice every Sunday
lie likes 10 watch game OF base ball and plays
golf himself lie is moderately fond OF the theater
He hardly ever drinks anything beyond half glass
of wine for poeness sake, but he s quite devoted 20
tobacco. At office for large part Of the time he
smokes rich, dark brierwood pipe, but. OF course,
he has to put 1T away when an ambassador calls
Mr.. Lansing has a fondness for drawing and his
friends soy has considerable talent in this direc
ton His strong point is making caricatures Of people
Usually when talking TO a person he makes sketches
little pieces of paper. II is rumored that he has
made clever cartoons OF well known diplomats
and politicians but certainly he is careful not
to let them get into circulation.
The secretary writes poetry, and finds the best
lief worries OF difficult diplomatic situation
in this intellectual exercise He s also great reader
OF poetry
He goes TO his office regularly at O'Clock in the
morning riding in a troley-car. works late,
ally till O'Clock, often returning in the evening.
Mr.. Lansing is averse to seeing callers because he
has much to do but when he does his manner is
exceedingly friendly and sympathetic.
His reputation for quiet dry hunor Is well recog-
nzed among his acquaintances The chronicler relates
one secretarys favore stories which concerns
that period of Mr.. Lansing's career when he
praoticing law in Watertown. N Y. where the Lan>
sings have long been prominent In the affairs of the
state ever since old John Lansing went delegate
TO the Constitutional convention at Philadelphia IN
1887. Mr. Lansing had once to appear before newly
justice OF the peace, and It appears, who
was not himself a lawyer but the only substantial
available for the position The case proceeded
a follows:
In the course OF the trial Lansing oross-exam-
Ined witness rather severely. The witness stub
born and either didn't wouldn't catch the drift OF
the lawyers questions which had to be repeated
eraI times.
Mr Lansing repeated question five times without
changing single word in t. His tactics irritated
the Judge. and the lawyer directed to ask new
question. Instead he repeated the question sixth
time, determined 10 set the answer he was after
"Mr. Counselor" broke in the judge, II object 10
your asking that question again"
The question once more repeated.
Again the Judge protested. Mr. Counselor" he de-
cared In injured tone OF voice. "I object to your
asking the same question over end over again"
Mr. lansing quick to take advantage OF the
judges lack OF judicial training
"Your objection 10 overruled," he snapped
This completely nonplussed the Judge for a mo-
ment but he recovered himself quickly and exclaimed
defantly II take exceptlon"