New-York tribune., 1919-12-18
Lane
Cabinet Post
Soon, He Says
Secretary of Interior Con-
firms Report of Resig-
nation; Has Noa Spok-
en- to President Wilson
NeW York Triburs
W1shtr nf0n Eursor


WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Franklin
K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior since
President Wilson came into office, on
March 4, 1913, issued a statement to-
day confirming the general understand
ing prevalent for month that he
would leave the Cabinet in the near
future. He has not written his resig-
nation, nor spoken to the President
about 1t, he said, because he did not
wish to add to the Presidents "bur-
dens or worries at this time"
Following is Mr.. Lanes statement:
with reference to my talked Of res
ignation, have rot sent it to the Pres
ident, nor even written it, but I do
contemplate going out of the Cabinet
and have withheld talking to the Pres
ident about 1t because 7 do not wish to
add to his burdens or worries at this
time. Nor do l know when the time
will come when | can. This is full
statement of sll the facts I have
thought it unkind TO say anything to
him about the matter, and that any
mention of it now by any one would be
u needless annoyance"
Regarded as Distinct Loss
In Mr.. Lane the Wilson Administra-
ton will lose its biggest man since tho
retirement of Lindley M. Garrison as
Secretary of War, in the opinion Of
may observers here He was always
regarded as second only to Mr.. Gar
rison in the freedom with which he
put his views before the President,
even when he differed.
Mr.. Lanes usefulness to the Ad-
ministration. however, has been dwin-
ding steadily since the Garrison res
ignation. and there is excellent all
thority for the opinion that, since Mr..
Garrison resigned, Secretary Lane has
been much less vigorous in forcing
his views at Cabinet meetings. His
private conferences with the Presi-
dent since that time have been few.
Secretary Lane had his first big dlf-
ference with President Wilson-so far
rs is known-when he supported Mr..
Garrison in some Of the discussions over
the Lusitania notes. He was not con-
cerned primarily in the Garrison Con
tinental army" controversy, which with
the Philippines bill led directly to Mr..
Gurrison's resignation but he learned
the lesson at that time that Pre- sident
Wilson did not brook opposition too
openly expressed.
Won Out With McAdoo
Mr. Lane came out on top in the next
Cabinet struggle, following Secretary
of the Treasury McAdoo in his vigorous
fight TO induce the President to ask for
declaration Of war on Germany. Sec
retary Houston joined them on that
side, against Cabinet opposition led by
Burleson and Baker
In the summer of 1917, however, Mr.
Lane took step which for a while
seemed almost to end his usefulness
in the Cabinet He reached an agree
ment with the coal operators as to q
price the government would permit
them to charge. This was at once de-
nounced and upset by Secretaries Baker
and Daniels, and the President sus-
tanned them.
Coal production fell off as result
Of the lower price they fixed, and the
price had to be raised later to stimu-
late production. 1t has often been said
by students Of the coal situation later
that the overrulng Of Lane by Baker
ana bdHlelS, SUSTAINED ny the IIeSi'
dent was largely responsible for the
shortage of the winter of 19l7-rS
which occasioned the famous Garfield
"h heatless Monday" orders.
Influence Seemed to Dwirdle
The mere fact that Mr.. Lane was
afterward shown to be right did not
reinstate him in executive favor, ap-
parently. for his conferences at the
= To
quent and his apparent influence with
the Administration, outside his owr
department, became much less than il
had been in the first few years.
Friends of Secretary Lane do no,
think he has ever regained the Presi
dents favor, and they think that his
prom sed resignation now 8 the result
of his conviction that he can do little
good by remaining in the Cabinet the
fifteen remaining months of this Ad
ministration.
Mr.. Lane had set his heart on push
ing through his Americanization plan
but for some reason even this desire
is not sufficient to hold him. Some o.
his friends say ne has not been proper
ly supported in it by the Adminstra
ton.
Near Presidential Timber
!. Is Jldttct VI AItQueuI COmNlcN
| in Washington that if Mr. Lane hat
been born in California, of which
state he is now a citizen, and whicl
he almost carried for Governor il
1902. instead of in Canada. he wouls
he the Democratic nominee for tn,
| Presidency next fall.
His ability was recognized by Theo
dore Roosevelt, who appointed him
member of the Interstate Commerce
Commission; by President Taft, VIII
kept him there, and by President Viii
son. To q greater extent than an,
other Cabinet member he has enjoye,
the confidence Of Congress, men of bot
parties showing a disposition to trus
him and his recommendations on tn
big Western questions which hav
come up.
Mr.. Lane is the eighth man to re
tire from President Wilson's Cabinet
Continued on, Du0s three