Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-02
v. MURRAY CRANE
DIES At HOME OF
SLEEPING SICKNESS
Former U. S. Senator Had
Long Career-KnoWn as a
"Harmonizer."
Bx the Associated Press.


DALTON, Mass. October 2.-W.
Murray Crane. former United States
Senator. and for years power in
the republican party, died early today
at Sugar Hill. the family home.
The end come quietly after four
days of heavy sleep, almost of uncon-
sciousness The sleeping sickness had
set in after an illness of several
months, and it was this which i'm.
mediately preceded death. the actual
cause of which was said by his physi-
clans to be encephalitis, or lnhamma-
tion of the brain.
At his bedside, with the knowledge
that he was expiring. were his wife,
his son, w. Murray Crane, 5r., and
two sisters.
Polite. Lead to Death.
National politics. in which Senator
Crane had been an active ngure TOT
years. were closely connected with
the illness which was precursor OF
the end. The senator, who had been
national committeeman of. the repub-
lican party in Massachusetts, for years,
announced his retirement before the
national convention, but went to Chi
cago to make a fight for republican
Endorsement of the league OF .natlons.
HIS health was not good. but those
associated with him said today that
he decided to make what would prob
ably be his last fight in politics, for
the issue lay close to his heart. He
returned from Chicago further i'm
paired in health.
Attended Coolidge Exercises.
He emerged from semi-retirement
next to attend the exercises at North
ampton, July 27. the formal notihca-
ton to Gov. Coolidge, his longtime
friend, of nomination for the vice
presidency His health was not equal
to the double eXactions of torrid
sun, and the fatigue caused by long
standing. and he suffered collapse.
recovering however. sufficiently to be
removed to his home.
The senator rallied for a time from
his depression, but failed again sew
eral weeks ago, and it was feared the
end was near. But the vitality, which
had carried him through years OF
work without vacation, asserted
itself, and again strength came to
him. and It appeared that he was TO
recover. Within the last week, how
ever. the heart action became weak.
and long speels of drowsiness were
succeeded by heavy sleep. He ap-
peared to rally at times. but finally
lapsed into partial coma, ended by
death.
Details of the funeral arrangements
announced from the Crane home that
the services would be held at Sugar
Hill Monday at 2:30 pm. with burial
in the family lot at Dalton cemetery.
An outstanding characteristic Of
Winthrop Murray Crane, former Gov
ernor of Massachusetts, and for two
terms United States senator from
that state was the fact that he at
tained eminence in public life without
being an orator. Although he served
eight years in the Senate it was said
of him that he never made what real
ly could be called speech" in that
body The successor of Senator Hoar.
whose wit and eloquence rang through
the halls of Congress, Cranes chief
claim to distinction was that of silent
leadership and of party mediator.
known as "Harmonizer."
Senator Crane on more than one oc-
casion in the interval from 1904 to
1913, when republican differences de-
veloped and party measures were en-
dangered, demonstrated his ability as
a harmonizer, and by using his per-
suaSive powers in personal interviews
with other senator's, with whom he was
popular. restored peace. On one oc-
casion the fate of an important bill
appeared to depend upon the vote of
one senator His colleagues had tried
.
; possible attitude of this man. Crane,
who had been talking the matter over
| with group of republican senators.
! remarked: Wait a minute" He
/! crossed the floor of the Senate cham
! ber to the recalcitrant's desk and con-
versed with him in low tones for a
! few moments. Returning to his
! friends. announced, with a smile:
) He'll vote for the bill" How did
| YOU find out?' was the astonished in
l uuiry Il asked him." was Crane S
reply
Mr.. Cranes Career.
! Born in Dalton. Mass, April %
1853, the son of Zenas NJ. Crane. a
! paper manufacturer. young Crane was
educated in the public schools. and at
Williston Seminary He never at
{ tended college, but, after leaving the
seminary entered the paper mills
I founded by his grandfather at Dalton
and in them he maintained an interest
! throughout his life. For many years
these mills produced the paper used
by the United States government in
| engraving it's currency, bonds and
notes. Because of his interest in
| this industry. and his desire to con-
tinue with it. Nr. Crane, at the be.
ginning of President Roosevelts ad
! ministration declined an invitation tc
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column 2-}