Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-08

sat beside him to receive the degree of doctor
of humane letters. Wheeler's head is the head
of poet and scholar, man who dreams
and thinks high thoughts and deals with the
ideal, Lansings head is the head of a man
in close touch with the real facts of life. 1t
is the head OF an executive and adminis-
traitor, of man who could say to this one,
Col" and to that one "Come!" with conf
dence that he would be obeyed. Yet Wheeler
has been the administrator for the last ten
or fifteen years, and Lansing has been merely
arguing and advising lawyer for all the
years Of his mature life until he was placed
in position about fourteen months ago
which gave him an opportunity to show of
what sort of stuff he was made.
Blushed Like Schoolboy
The most distinct impression that Lansing
leaves upon the observer is one of poise. Yet
he lost his poise in a most charming way on
the occasion OF which speak. AS the differ
ent candidates for honorary degrees were
summoned by the dean they were applauded.
And Lansing was welcomed in the same way
when he arose TO receive his hood lined with
the maroon silk of the college and trimmed
with the purple velvet Of the degree of doc
tor of laws. He is a Central New York man,
born and bred in the bailiwick Of Colgate.
but he had never been in the college town
before, and he apparently assumed that he
was little known to the people who crowded
the church. But the applause for him did not
stop 1t grew in volume as he stood. An
expression of surprise passed over his face.
He looked out over the black-robed seniors
who had Just received their bachelors de-
grees, and from them to the gaily- dressed
ladies with their escorts, and he blushed
with embarrassment. confused as any school
boy speaking his first piece And the blush
remained till he took his seat again.
This was his first appearance in any public
assembly after he had been made Acting Sec
retary OF State, and 1t was his first taste OF
popular approval away from his familiar as
sociates, When Amherst, his own college,
followed the example OF Colgate the week
after, and gave him the same degree he was
among the men who had called him Bob"
and their applause was like that OF old
friends in whose faces he could look with
the smile which said, THAT Is all right. fell
lows; but we know each other and am Just
one OF you
The men who have known him for years
have been aware Of his SURPRISING abilities
II is not they but the people at large, who
have been surprised at his sudden rise 10
conspicuous position. The country a year
and a half ago did not know that such a
man existed. Such fame as he had was con-
fined 20 those who follow the long and un-
spectacular diplomatic negotiations and arbi-
trations, ana there are few such They ap-
proved, however, when he was made Coun-
selor OF the Department OF State In the
spring Of last year to succeed John Bassett
Moore, who could not get along with Bryan.
Then came the war and Lansing's opportu-
nifty AS Counselor he was next in authority
70 Mr.. Bryan n the State Department Mr..
Bryan's knowledge OF international Law was
as complete and sound as his knowledge
Of the principles of hnance The President
therefore. came 70 rely on Mr Lansing Tor
ADVICE. and Mr. Brgan gradually but surely