Evening star., 1920-02-08

Appreciation OF the spirit with which
Secretary Franklin X. Lane has de-
voted himself to his duties as head
Of the Department OF the Interior Tor
almost seven years Is expressed py
President Wilson in his letter yester-
day accepting the cabinet members
resianation, to take effect March 1.
The retirement of Mr.. Lane from
public life, because he must now
think of other duties" is felt very
keenly in administration circles, par
ticulariy by those who were his col
leagues during the tense days OF the
war, and the Presidents letter IN com
ment is marked by a tone OF genuine
regret. President Wilson adds that
his associations with Mr. Lane have
been very delightful, and 1t has been
generally understood that none OF the
chief executives official family mas
enjoyed a greater measure OF his con-
fdence.
Mr. Lanes Parting Message.
Secretary Lane. in the last paragrapn
Of his letter. expresses the oehet tna, ~,
are only Temporary" and makes refer
ence to the league of nations by SAYING:
"The country knows that Tor Amenca
to stand outside the league OF nations
will bring neither pride to US nor con-
fidence to the world"
the ninth to be rendered President VII
son during two terms. ana ne 10 Inc
fourth to take such action to fe-entef
private Hfe The three others were At
terney General Gregory. Secretary Of the ne
Treasury McAdoe and Secretary OF
Commerce Redfeld. Three have re-
signed to accept other positions In the
government and two have quilt because
Of disagreement with the policies OF the
administration.
- fnv
erai weeks that Secretary Lane
wished to resign az soon as ne conM
do so without embarrassment to the
President, no intimation has come
from the White House - TO Wh1 the
next Secretary Of the snteriorwna Pc:
r Voeelsang, now assistant secre-
tary, will be named to sunceed his
chief. He is a resident OF California
Secretary Lane was born In Canada
and educated In California HIS arst
public oflioe was that Of corRoration
counsel fer the city of San FFanciseo.
q position he held from 1887 to lses.
He was q member OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission for seven yea 70
and was chairman OF the commission
for q time.
Following is the correspondents
between Secretary Lane and the
President:
Secretary Lanes Letter.
February s. 1920.
My Dear Mr.. President.
1t is with deep regret that l teel
compelled to resign the commis-
sion with which yeu saw Mt to
honor me by appointing me to
niace In your cabinet, now almost
seyen years ago. II 1t will meet
YOUR convenience ! would suggest
that bs permitted to retire on
With the conditions which make
this step necessary you are "a
miiiay. I have served the papitc
ss.viee appeals to nae as none
othsr can but I must now think
of other duties
The program Of administration
and lsgislatien locking to the d.
valopment of our resources which
have suggested from time to
time is now In large part in eneet,
or soon will come ihto enece
through the action Of Congress.
return this department into yeur
hands with very real gratitude that
ycu have given me the opportunity to
know we'll q working force holding
20 many men and women OF singular
ability and rare spirit
trust that you may soon be 70
completely restored to health that
the country and the world may have
the benefit Of the full measure Of
your strength in the leadership OF
| their affairs The discourageInents
| Of the present are. believe. only
| temporary. The country knows. that
league Of nations will bring neither