Arizona republican., 1920-03-01
LANE TAKES FEW SHOTS
 AT WILSON Fl AL
Tasks of Official Washing ton Could Be Better Han dled by Fewer Men of Larger Capacity - Criti- cizes Red Tape Policy and Precedent Which Robs Men of Initiative
Republican A. p. Leased WireI

Republican A. P- Leased Wirel
 WASHINGTON, Feb. 29.-Of-
 ficiaI Washington, "a combinations
 of political caucus, drawing roons
 and civil service bureaus" con
 taining statesmen who are poll
 tioians and politicians who are not
 statesmen" is poorly organized for
 its task which fewer men of larger
 capacity would do better
 Such is an epitome of the views of Franklin K Lane, retiring secretary of the interior, expressed in character istic parting report to the president on the occasion of leaving public life today after more than 20 years sery- ice-the last seven years in the cabinet.
 Sums Up Official Washington
 Washington" says the retiring sec retary, lis rich in brains and character. It is honest beyond any commercial standard. It wishes to do everything that will promote the public good. But it is poorly organized for the task that belongs to it. Fewer men of large ca pacity would do the task better Abil- ity is not lacking, but it is suppressed to the point of paralysis because of an infinitude of details and an unwilling ness on the part of the great body Uf the public servants to take responsi- bility. Everyone seems to be afraid of every one. The self protective sense is developed abnormally, the creative sense, atrophies. Trust, confidence, en- thusiasm-these simple virtues of all great business are the ones most lack ing in government organization. We have so many checks and brakes upon our work that our progress does not keep pace with the nations require ments.
 "We could save money for the gov ernment if we had more discretion as to how we should use that given us. tI,1 {. afrrfI 1r7f- there should be quicker promotion or discharge and an insurance when dis ability comes For the higher admin istrative officers they chould have sal aries twice as high as those now given and they should be made to feel that they are the ones responsible for tho work of the department; the head being merely an adviser and construc- tor of policies. AS matters are now devised there are now too few in the government whose business 1t is to plan. Every man is held to details. to the narrower view which comes too of ten to be the development view or some sort of parochial, view. We need for the day that is here and upon us men who have little to do but study the problems of the time and test our ca pacity at meeting them
 Would Revise Entire System
 "In a word. we need more oppor-
  statesemanship above, and more fixed authority and responsibility below"
 Describing the interior department as an abiding place for a group of unrelated governmental agencies. the retiring secretary characterized it none the less as the most distinctly Amer ican of all the departments and re- views briefly the aims and accomplish ments of his administration. some oi the former unrealized. Construction of the Alaskan railway, opening of Alaskan lands by a leasing system, water power development legislation lands on the public domain are emu merated among the latter
 Alaska, the secretary thinks, is ham. pered by too much fred tape" in Wash ington which is static policy in many of the governments bureaus. Alaska, MT. Lane. says. should be adj ministered by a federal board in ths territory, be policed by constabulary as was northwestern Canada, should have her coast made safe for navisa- tion and have Canadian musk OK crossed with the native reindeer, to furnish a new supply of meat to the Pacific Coast.
 Americanization. the development O. the capital as educational center for the country, farms for soldiers, and development of natural resources ara among the projects MT. Lane leaves behind him and his report argues for the wisdom of their prosecution.