Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-02
". Murray Crane
Expires at Dalton

commonwealth will never be the same
without him, but his loss will be felt in
a way that will not be commonplace.
This is no time for recital Of his
achievements; how greatly he strove
for the good of his fellow men, with
what courage and devotion he served
them: oHw unselfsh he was, never
seeking his own, always solicitous for
others. For the influence for good that
he was in our state and nation, for the
gift of such life. for giving thanks for
their having been. for seeking counsel
and strength to bear their loss men
will turn alike to the great 'Giver Of all
good and perfect gifts There is no
other adequate way to cherish the mem
ory of the friendship of Winthrop Muir
ray Crane"
An outstanding characteristic Of
Winthrop Murray Crane, former gov.
crnor of Massachusetts and for two
terms a 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, II was said
of him that he never made what really
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 dis
tinction was that Of silent leadership
and of party mediator.
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 persua-
sive powers in personal interviews with
other senator's. with whom he was pop
ular, restored peace. On one occasion
the fate of an important bill appeared
to depend upon the vote Of one senator.
His colleagues had tried In vain. by
many methods. to learn the probable
attitude of this man. Crane, who had
been talking the matter over with
group of Republican senator's, re-
marked wait a minute"
He crossed the floor Of the Senate
chamber to the rccalcitrant's desk and
converscd with him in low tones for
few moments. Returning to his friends.
he announced, with a smile Hell vote
| for the bill. ."
How did you find out?" was the
astonishcd inquiry.
II asked him." was Cranes reply.
Manufacturer In Politics
Born in Dalton. Mass, April %,
1858. the son of Zenas NJ. Crane
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 found
ed by his grandfather at Dalton, and
in them he maintained an interest
throughout his life. For many years
! ,,.t1 4
the United States Government In en-
craving its currency, bonds and notes.
Because Of his interest in this industry
and his desire to continue with It, Mr..
Crane. at the beginning of President
Rooscvelt's administration. declined an
| invitation to enter his cabinet as Sec
rotary of the treasury.
President Roosevelt held the Silent"
Massac chusetts man in high esteem,
! Crane had been unusually successful In
avcrting strikes and disagreements at
the Dalton mills. In 1909. when he
was governor Of Massachusetts. he was
instrumental in adjusting by arbitra.
| tiOn a serious strike of teamsters and
freight handlers in Boston. Later, II
Is said, he suggested to President Roose.
velt the method by which the strike
Of several hundred thousand coal miners
in the anthracite fields was settled.
Three years as lieutenant governor
and three years as governor of Massa-
chusetts preceded Cranes entrance into
the Senate TO fill the vacancy in 1904
caused by the death Of George F. Hoar.
Appointed to the Senate on October 12,
1904 he was elected the following
January for the term ending in 1907
and reelected for the term ending In
1913. At the expiration of his second
term he declined to seek denomination.
During his career In the Senate Mr..
Crane was recognized as one Of the
"big four" of the Republican chiefs in
that body, the others being Penrose,
Aldrich and SmoOt.
Mr.. Crane had been member of the
Republican National Committee from
1892 to 1900 and rom 1904 to 1915
had been delegate at large to five ma =
tional conventions.
Successful in Agriculture
He was always interested in scientific
agriculture. BY the application OF bust :
ness methods he developed 2700 acres
OF neglected land In dalton into a sue
cessful farm. Mr. Crane made many
important gifts to his home town and
gave largely to charitable objects. He
was credited with having saved many
individuals and small companies In the
Berkshlres from bankruptcy when they
were overcome by business difficulties.
Williams College bestowed upon him
|