East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1921-05-18
Former Secretary of Interior
Succumbs Following Opera
ton at Mayo Bros. Institution
HAD SHOWN IMPROVEMENT;
DEATH WAS UNEXPECTED
Mrs. Lane, His, Wife and Geo.
Lane His Brother Were IN
Attendance at His Bedside.

ROCHESTER. Minp.. May fS.-(U.
P.)-Franklin X. Lane, former secre-
tary of the interior. died at st. Mary's
hospital today He came here several
weeks ago for treatment by the famous
Mayo brothers. surgeons. A steady
Improvement was noted since Lane
underwent the operation. He gained
in strength and was apparently well
on the road to recovery. At an early
hour today. the attending nurse noted
the weakening Of his heart and called
the physician. Mrs. Lane his wife. and
George Lane his brotHer Lane weak
ened rapidly and passed away at a.
M He was born in Charlotte Town
Canada, in 1864. He was a graduate
OF the University OF california.
Served seven Years In Cabinet
II was often said Of Franklin X
Lane that IL he had been born In the
United States instead OF Canada, he
would have been presidential timber.
After serving seven years in President
Wilson's cabinet as Secretary of the
Interior. he resigned his $4,000 a
year post in expensive Washington
early in 1920 "in justice to his family
to become vice president and legal adj
wiser OF the Mexican petroleum com
panies controlled BY Edward L,
Doheny.
Followed Newspaper Work
Upon leaving college ne engaged In
newspaper work, becoming part owner
ard editor of the Tacoma. Wash, Daily
News. In 1889 he was admitted to the
bar of California and from 1897 until
1909 served as Corporation Counsel Of
San Francisco. In the latter year he
was the Democratic candidate for
governor of California but was not
elected. He received the party vote OF
the state legislature In 1903 for United
States senator Appointed a membaT
of the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion BY President Roosevelt in 1905.
later becoming chairman. Mr.. Lane
was serving in that capacity when he
was made Secretary of the Interior.
Favored League Of Nations
Secretary Lane was keen Supporter
OF the League Of Nations covenant and
advocated ratification OF the peace
treaty OF Versailles.
Family Survive Him
Mr. Lane married in 1sss Miss Anne
wintermute of Tacoma. Wash. Two
children. sweFe born-rte tileHssaA Mrs.
Nancy Lane Kaufman of Washington
and Lieutenant Kranklin *. Lane, Jr..
L. 5. A. of Los Angeles, Cay.
Lane was nominated democratic
candidate for governor of California in
1902. He received his, party vote in
the legislature for the United States
seentor in 1898. He was a member Of
the interstate commerce commission
from 1905 to 1913. He WAS appointed
secretary OF interior in the Wilson
cabinet in 1918.
His death was caused by angina pee
toris. a disease OF the heart from
which he had been suffering for two
| years.
President Sends Message.
WASHINGTON, May 1s.--tU. P)
-.Franklin X. Lane was an outstand-
ling American" President Harding
/ said in a message of coincidence to
Mrs. Lane The message follows:
Il have just learned OF the death
of your distinguished husband. ! am
wiring to express my very great shock
and my exceedingly deep sorrow over
I his untimely passing. He was an out
standing American who rendered most
distinguished service to his country
and found an abiding place In the af-
\ lection of all who knew him well.
Mrs Harding Joins me in AN express
I sion OF most sympathetic condolences.