Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-03-01
CAPITOL RICH
IN BRAINS BUT
NOT ORGANIZED
Fewer Men Of Larger
Capacity Would Do
Better, He Declares.
Retiring Secretary of In
terror Says Brakes on
Work Too Many.

Washington, Feb. o9-(By The AS
sociated Press) Official Washington.
"a combination Of political caucus, draw
ing room and civil service bureaus" con-
tanning Statesmen who are politicians
and politicians who are not statesmen
Is poorly organized for its task. which
fewer men or larger capacity would do
better"
Such is an epitome of the views of
Flanklin Il. Lane. retiring secretary ct
rhe interior, expressed in a character
lstic parting report to the president on
the occasion of leaving public life Sun
day, after more than 20 years. service
the last seven in the cabinet.
Washington" the retiring secretary
adds, is rich in brains and character.
1t is honest beyond any commercial
standard. It wishes to do everything
that will promote the public good. But
belongs to it, Fewer men of larger
capacity would do the task better. Ability
is not lacking, but it is pressed to the
point OF paralysis because Of an in
finitude of details and an unwillingness
on the part of the great body Of the
public servants to take responsibility.
Simple Virtues Lacking
Everyone seems to be afraid of every
one. The self-protectiye sense is devel-
oped abnormally, the creative sense
atrophies. Trust, confidence, ENTHUSIASM
these simple virtues OF all great bust
nfsses are the ones most lacking in gov
t.rFn14nt Organization. We have SO many
checks and brakes upon our work that
our progress does not keep pace with
the nations requirements.
I'VE could save money for the govern
ment if We had more discretion as to
how we should use that given lis. For
the benefit of the civil servant there
should be quicker promotion or dis
charge and a sure insurance when dis-
ability comes. For the higher admin
stratiye officers there should be salaries
twice as high as those now given, and
they should be made to feel that they
are the ones responsible for the work
of the department the head being
merely an adviser and constructor of
policies.
''As matters are now devised there are
too few in the government whose busf-
ness it is to plan. Every man is held
to details. TO the narrow view, which
comes too often to be the department
view OF some sort of parochial view.
Need More Planning.
I'VE 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 their capaciy at meeting them.
In a word, we need more opportunity
for planning, engineering craftsmanship
above. and more fixed authority and
responsibility below
Describing the interior department as
an tabiding place for a group Of un-
related governmental agencies the re-
firing secretary characterizes it none the
less as 'tthe most distinctively American
of all the departments and reviews
briefly the aims and accomplishments Of
his administration. some of the former
unrealized. Construction of the Alaskan
railway, opening of Alaskan coal lands
by leasing system. waterpower devel-
opment legislation and leasing system
of oil and mineral lands on the public
domain are enumerated among the lat
ter.
Alaska. the secretary thinks, is ham
pered by too much .'red tape in Wash
ington, which is .'state policy" in many
Of the governments bureaus. Alaska
Mr.. Lane says. should be administered
by a federal board in the territory, be
policed by constabulary. as was north
western Canada, should have her coasts
made safe for navigation and have
Canadian musk OK crossed with the
native reindeer to furnish new meat
supply to the Pacific coast.
Americanization, the development of
the capital as an educational center for
the country, farms for soldiers, and
development of natural sresources. are
among the projects Mr.. Lane leaves be- |
hind him. and his report argues for the |
wisdom of their prosecution.