"I BET ON THE HIGH CARD WITH A CHANCE TO WIN"

FORMER CABINET SECRETARY LANE DIES AFTER OPERATION

Rochester, Minnesota (JFK+50) On May 18, 1921, former Interior secretary Franklin K. Lane* died "of an attack of angina pectoris** which followed an operation for gall stones."

The 56 year old former cabinet official under President Woodrow Wilson had suffered from heart disease during the past several months and hoped the operation would restore him to full health.

After the operation of May 6, Mr. Lane said...

"I hope to be able to live a long life, doing good things for others."

One of his physicians had advised against the operation saying that he could live for some time without it, but Lane made the decision to, in his own words...

 "bet on the high card with a chance to win."

*Franklin Knight Lane (1864-1921) was born in DeSable, Prince Edward Island & attended University of California before becoming a newspaper editor.  FKL served as San Francisco City Attorney 1899-1902, Commissioner on the I.C.C. 1906-1913, & Secretary of Interior 1913-1920.

**angina pectoris is a condition marked by severe chest pain caused by an inadequate supply of blood to the heart. 

SOURCE

"Lane Is Dead; Wrote Creed On Deathbed," New York Tribune, May 19, 1921, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

   

 

Franklin Knight Lane

Interior Secretary (1913)

Library of Congress Photo

FRANKLIN KNIGHT LANE DEFENDS WOODROW WILSON

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2349

INTERIOR SECRETARY LANE HAS PRESIDENT WILSON'S BACK

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, June 23, 1917, Interior Secretary Franklin K. Lane*, interviewed by Arthur Sears Henning of the Chicago Tribune, defended President Woodrow Wilson "against the criticism leveled at (him) in regard to the conduct of the war in its initial stages."

One Republican senator was quoted as saying...

"How can you expect efficient conduct of the war by a president who refused for three years to prepare the nation (for war)?"

Secretary Lane told Mr. Henning...

"It is the desire of the people that this war will be so conducted as to place the responsibility upon their president...and when it comes to the day of reckoning I believe that the people will be satisfied that the expenditures...in men and money have been made conscientiously, efficiently and in the attainment of...a more certain peace for the world."

*Franklin Knight Lane (1864-1921) was born on Prince Edward Island & moved to California in 1871.  FKL attended the University of California & became a NY reporter for the SF Chronicle.  FKL served as a commissioner on the Interstate Commerce Commission before his tenure as Secretary of the Interior 1913-1921.

"Lane Lambastes Wilson's Critics; Lauds Policies", by Arthur Sears Henning, The Chicago Sunday Tribune, June 24, 1917.

Franklin Knight Lane
US Secretary of the Interior 
Library of Congress Photo (1913)

WHY ARE WE FIGHTING GERMANY?

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2330

INTERIOR SECRETARY ANSWERS THE QUESTION:  WHY ARE WE FIGHTING GERMANY?

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago this evening, June 4, 1917, on the eve of Draft Registration Day, Secretary of Interior Franklin K. Lane*, speaking to the Home Club of the Interior Department, answered the question 'Why are we fighting Germany?'

The Secretary said...

"Tomorrow is registration day.  It is the duty of all, their legal as well as their patriotic duty, to register...

There are some who have not seen clearly the reason for the call."

Mr. Lane made the argument that the United States had no choice but had to save ourselves and the world from the German tyranny.

The Secretary continued...

"Ours is a war of self-defense.  Germany....made the attack upon us...on our ships, our lives, our rights, our future.  At each new offense--the invasion of Belgium, the killing of civilian(s)...the laying of mines in neutral waters...we said 'It is not our war' (but) we discovered that we were thought to be a nation of mere moneymakers, devoid of all character...and so we came into this war for ourselves...to save America...to preserve self-respect (and) in the name of freedom."

Secretary Lane concluded with these words...

"There can be no living for us in a world where the state has no conscience...no respect for international law."

*Franklin Knight Lane (1864-1921) was born near Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in Canada.  He attended the University of California & became a newspaperman in San Francisco.  FKL was appointed to the ICC commission by President T. Roosevelt & reappointed by President Taft.

SOURCE

"'Why We Fight', Told World By High Official, Secretary Lane Explains Entry of United States Into the Great War", The Chicago Daily Tribune, June 5, 1917.

Franklin Knight Lane
Secretary of the Interior (1913)
American Press Association
Library of Congress Photo