Evening star., 1920-02-29


Department Of the Interior gathered last
night in the main corridor of the In
terror building to give farewell re-
ception to Secretary Franklin X. Lane,
whose resignation takes effect tomor-
row.
A large silk American flag, the gift
of the Interior Department employees.
was presented to the retiring Secretary
by J. L. McBrisn. director Of the rural
schools extension section of the bureau
Of education. Following the nag pres
entation. the employees and their rela-
tives and friends shook hands with Mr..
and Mrs. Lane and their daughter, Miss
Nancy Lane. and wished them godspeed.
9 o'clock. The beautiful main corridor
was tastefully decorated with American
flags and palms. There was reserved
section opposite the main entrance for
the various bureau chiefs and their
families.
Miss Lane entered the corridor. fan
fare was sounded by Trumpeter B. r.
Brill of the Interior Department
Band. Then Mr.. McBrien made his
presentation address.
Mr.. McBrefn's Address.
Mr.. McBrien said, in part:
Members Of the department and
friends, this Is q dual OCCASION
happy and sad. It is a happy occa-
sion when we review the admins
tration Of our distinguished chief as
Secretary Of the Interior during the
past seven years. resplendent as it Is
with SO much that is illustrious and
remarkable in one Of the greatest
periods of our country's history and In
world affairs. 1t Is = happy occasion
when we think Of his sterling char.
acter, his democratic spirit, his genial
nature. his deep sympathy with his
fellow men, his true Americanism, his
lofty patriotism. his inspiring opti-
mism. his practical idealism and how
by these happy traits he has rendered
his country unrivaled service.
1T 10 sad occasion when we
realize that now we are to sever
these happy associations with this
noble man. This 10 = time when we
mingle our laughter with our tears.
It mellows our hearts and makes US
better men and women because of
this experience"
Mr. Lanes RespOnse.
In response. Mr.. Lane said that
seven years ago he came as
stranger to the Interior Department.
but now he leaves as the friend of
every employe OF the department.
You have taken me by surprise"
Mr.. Lane said II had thought that
l was to merely have the opportunity
to shake each Of you by the hand
and give you good-by. The words
that you have spoken thrilled me. as
they have thrilled every one of your
listeners, and they have moved mo
moved me az words seldom have: for
l am conscious not so much tonight
Of anything that have done for this
department or for my country as
am Of the revelation that you have
lNNyo h Tuy
faithful. how splendid in spirit mon
and women can be In working for a
department Of the government.
"I may have been leader to you;
you have been an inspiration to me,
Mr.. Lane said; The speech .,, that 1,s,cb
you have quoted came to me because
I realized that the words that spoke
there were truly expressive OF the
fact we cannot all be soldiers In the
great war like tho boy who holds that
staff; we cannot all do our duty upon
battleflelds; but each one of us can
be a soldier for his country doing
his work as it Is outlined for him to,
"seven years have passed. and great
years of splendid doing-every one of
them-grsat years in the history Of
our world, the greatest years that
have ever been. and you and I have
n8Q In0 nOHOF OI participating ia the
making Of the history Of those years.
Greater honor could come to nona
than has come to us. l go out of
Office proud Of the fact that I have
been honored at this time with this
place: prouder still Of the association
that I have had, Of the friends that I
have made. of the spirit that you ex-
pressed.
Recalls First ReeeDtfen.
II never will forget the first re-
ception that I held in the corridor
of the patent ONCE and in the court
yard of that beautiful and exquisite
bit of architecture. and ~ the recep-
tion closed one dear lady said to me:
I have been thirty five years In this
department and never before have
shaken hands with the Secretary
Of tho Interior. and never before have
] even seen the wife Of Secretary
Of the Interior SO I made UP my
mind that II It was possible TO -.
tablish q real human Relationship hs.