Evening star., 1920-02-25
BAINBRIDGE COLBY
NAMED TO SUCCEED
LANSING IN CABINET
Former Roosevelt Supporter
Given State Portfolio by
President.
NOTICE OF SELECTION
VERY BRIEF, HE SAYS
Acting Secretary Polk to Garry
Out His Intention to
Retire.

President Wilson today announced
The nomination of Bainbridge Colby
New York attorney and former sup
porter of Theodore Roosevelt. to be
Secretary of State. The nomination
will be sent to the Senate probably
tomorrow or Friday.
The news was a distinct surprise,
even to those supposed to be in close
touch with the chief executive. and
MIR Colby himself said that the notice
given him of the impending nomina-
ton had peen very, very brief"
Served ON shipping Boards.
The nominee for the position re-
Gently vacated by Robert Lansing al
ready has held Office under the ad-
miniStration, having served as a mem
Der of the United States Shipping
Board and Emergency Fleet Corpora
tion for two years, beginning in July.
1917, and also Is one of the Amerl-
can mission to the interallied ship
ping conference in Paris early In the
war.
The general belief had been that
Cndersecretary of State Frank l..
Polk. now acting Secretary. would be
given the place vacated by his former
chief. and even when Mr.. Colby called
company with Raymond T. Baker, di
rector of the mint. the significance of
his visit was not suspected until the
official announcement was made later
by Secretary Tumulty.
At that moment Mr.. Colby was in
conference with the President on the
south lawn of the White House, where
the two remained for more than an
hour.
Il have had a long and unhurried
with proSidenf
impressed me with the great con-
fidence he reposed in me-" said Mr..
Colby on leaving. II hope l shall not
prove inadequate for the great duties
more that can say until my nomina-
tion has been acted on. am sure that
courtesy Is que the Senate"
Mr. Colby's Political Career.
Mr.. Colby declined to answer a di-
rect question as to his political af-
hliations. though he has been regard
ed as q demecrat since the 1915 cam
paign- He was 4 lifelong republican
until the famous bull moose bolt at
the Chicago convention in 1912. He
had been actively identihed with the
candidacy Of Theodore Roosevelt for
the republican nomination for Presi-
dent that year. and was In charge Of
gates In the Chicago convention.
When Col. Roosevelt bolted the con-
vention. Mr. Colby helped to found
the progressive party and was a dele
gate to its Chicago convention in
,1S1z. He continued an active leader
IN that party. and in 1914 and again
IN 1918 he was q progressive candi-
o4fe for senator from New York state.
When Col Roosevelt threw the
weight of his influence to Charles
Evans Hughes in the 1916 presidential
race Mr.. Colby identified himself with
the democratic party.
Nj. Colby was born at st. Louis
afty-one years ago and was grad
uated from Williams College. Massa-
chusetts. He spent one year at the
Columbia Law School and has prac-
ticed law in New York since 1892 He
was a member of the New York as
oembly in 1S01-1902.
MF. Polk Expects to Retire.
After Mr.. Colby has taken Office
Mr.. Polk. who has been secretary ad
interim since the resignation of Mr..
Lansing nearly two weeks ago, is
expected to carry out his intention of
retiring from the State Department.
Mr.. Folks health has not been at all
good for more than a year and his
physicians have advised him to take a
long rest.
Should Mr.. Polk. retire two impor-
tant posts in the State Department
would be left vacant-that of under
secretary. to which Mr.. Polk was ad-
Nanced some months ago. and of as
sistant secretary. The latter place
was held by William Phillips, the
newly appointed minister to the Neither
lands and Luxembourg.