Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-07
RETIRING SAGE OF ORGANIZATION
IN TART DISCUSSION OF REFORM
lave Lane, City's Political Wizard, Declares His
Business Is One for Man to Be Proud of,
Despite Critics

Dave Lane tilted back in his Office chair
To-Day and turned over few pages of
political history.
-, Contentment beamed on his face. His
llttle sanctum on the fourth floor OF the
Land Title Building seemed to breathe the
same spirit.
The mood Of quietude was communicated
70 me cartoons Of famous politicians on the
walls' They seemed to lose their combative
expressions
The eyes OF Senators, Congressmen. Gov
ernors and Mayors appeared TO be focused
on the sage Of the Organization as II they,
100, Knew that yesterday he had stepped
uoWn from the chairmanship Of the Repub-
of service. 'e"''
something moved the veteran leader 10
TenlhlSce Was II the faces Of the former
hghters on the walls? Who knows?
NOT THROUGH FIGHTING
Tn going to stay on the firing line" said
the eS-chairman. There are lots Of things
can do as private in the committee" =
lie paused for a moment TO fire IN n
cigar and pushed the box before the visitor,
must admit that memories are chasing
each other pretty lively" he said, but |
suppose that Is only to be expected when
one removes a responsibility which has
rested upon his shoulders for a long period ="
IL should be remembered Just here that
Mr Lane has been a member Of the citv
committee for forty-seven years and for
hfteen years Of that time held the chairman
snip In those long years he has seen scores
of upheavals and reforms, which in rnanv
cases were washed away as quickly as they
came.
Il am seventy-eight years old" said the
veteran, land I realize that l am not so
vigorous as | was few years ago. l think
it's better to step down, as the athletes say.
in good condition and with the good wishes
OF those who have been fighting with me for
the same cause
81 don't believe in following the same
plan as the bishop OF Gil Bias The bishop
was aware of the fact that he was getting
old and knew, the day was fast approach
ing when he would not be up to the proper
form. He told one of his faithful old serv-
ants to keep a close watch on him and re-
mind him when he saw signs Of failing
power, that he might step down without
losing prestige. But when the servant told
him candidly that his sermons were falling
down and that 1t was time TO step out. the
bishop became indignant and discharged the
old fellow on the spot"
And the theme brought a few definite H.
| Illustrations to the mind Of the political sage
MORE CANDoR NEEDED
"Candor is what we need now more than
| ever he said, and yet when the politician
deals in it he is often the object Of severe
criticism. The practical man in politics
| has to be on the alert or he is sure TO be,
come the victim Of the ideallst. By follow.
| ing the idealist many a politician has be
come enmeshed hopelessly and never extri
| Gated.
"In politics we must be practical IT.:
| the highest capacity of the human mind tc
| deal with society en- masse, and without
| the politician who gives security to life anc
! property we would be an unorganized mot
| yet. All the great advances Of recent years
| would be useless,
"The man, professionally or otherwise
who sits in criticism of politicians does no
| realize that his opportunity to do so is onl.
made possible by the politician.
There is quite a difference between thu
J direction of material forces and human
forces. To place the inorganic materia
on loom or anvil and bring out the finished