Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-20

THE nation will lose one Of its most valu-
able public servants when Franklin *.
Lane, Secretary OF Interior. carries out his
announced purpose of rcsigning his portfolio
In order that he may have u fair opportunity
TO recopr his personal fortune. now wiped
out. before his earning power passes. The
President undoubtedly will be kecnly dis
tresscd 10 give Mr., Lane up and the people
III large Will share that distress.
II is national misfortune that men with
out wealth. men splendidly equipped to meet
the vast responsibilities OF public life, ana 70
discharge tho obligations of public trust.
should be practically barred from such use
fnlncss because they cannot live deccntiy
and with becoming dignity upon the salaries
which the government pays them. and should
De competed 10 turn TO private employment
or remain in private employment. All this
Was realized when William c. McAdoo gave
up the secretaryship of the Treasury inn
mediatoly after the signing of tho urmstcr
ana mhSt bc realized again with the resig-
nation OF Secretary Lane.
1t is generally reported that Mr.. Lanes
resignation was not wholly prompted by the
necessity he is under OF making more money
1t is declared by his friends that he nigh,
Lave gone along for another year with his
present income if the policies of the ad-
ninistration had been more in accord with
his own views upon great public problems.
IN other words. he is said to have decided
TO cult the Cabinet as matter OF protest
That Mr. Lane was influenced in this drec-
Noh ny such consideration may we'll be
believed when it is recalled that he has SUI
!cred severe disappointment in many recen,
contests within the Cabinet. He has not
been at all satisfied with the terms OF the
coai strikc settlem'ri He felt that DR.. Gar
hc!d should have hr supported more cor
daily by the CabOct ana that the principles
winch the fuel administrator laid down dur
ing the earlier negotiations. principles which
the Cabinet at the outset approved should
not have been sacrificed TO mere expediency
Then too, il is recalled that the secretary
was III bitter controversy at the very outset
OF the war with Secretaries Baker and
Daniels over fuel questions. 1t was Mr. Lane
VINO a. that time, initiated the movement
which resulted in voluntary fixing OF s.: !,
ton as u mine price for coal The heads OF
me War and Navy Departments promptly
rcpudlated that agreement and refused to
BUY coal for government consumption at that
figure. This contest eventually resulted i'm
me establishment Of the fuel administration
Many other controversies have taken place
IN the cabinet. resulting oftener than not
III the defeat of Mr.. Lanes proposals. with
ne net result that this official has felt him
sell more or less impotcnt. This has been
particularly true Of Cabinet activities of re-
cent weeks when the presence of President
Wilson might have smoothed matters over
ana might have resulted in agreeable com
promises
BE- all that as it may. il now comes To
pass that Mr.. Lane is soon to retire. and the
government is TO lose Of the strong and
Htaiwart ngures upon which the nation has
leaned Tor almost seven years. His with
drawal will be widely deplored whatever tho
considerations may be that bring il about.