The Letters of Franklin K. Lane, Personal and Political — Story, Setting & Ideas

Unpolished Diction and Haste

The editors explicitly state they did not change anything Lane wrote, even when he made obvious slips. This is evident in the letters, where punctuation is erratic—dashes and periods dominate. Lane's haste is palpable: he dictated to many stenographers with varying methods, and his own handwritten letters were often composed in transit. The result is a raw, immediate quality. For instance, in a letter dated February 10, 1917, he writes: “So there you are up to date—in a scrappy way.” This self-awareness of his own fragmented style is characteristic. The editors' choice to preserve these quirks means the reader encounters Lane's mind at work, without the smoothing of formal editing.

Cabinet Conversations in Private Letters

Lane's letters often recount Cabinet meetings in detail, blending policy discussion with personal commentary. In one letter, he describes a February 6, 1917 meeting where the main question was whether to convoy or arm merchant ships. He reports Secretary Baker's view that without action, ships would stay in port, and the President's decision against convoying due to “double hazard.” Lane also notes the President's passionate determination not to overstep honor in dealing with Germany. These passages read like informal minutes, with Lane adding his own reactions: “I said that it seemed to be established that Germany meant to do what she said she would do.” The letters thus provide a behind-the-scenes look at high-level decision-making, filtered through Lane's perspective.

Personal Tone Amid Political Affairs

Despite the weighty subject matter, Lane's letters maintain a personal, even affectionate tone. He addresses his correspondent as “MY DEAR GEORGE” and closes with “Much love to you and Frances. Give me good long letters telling me what is in the back of that wise old head.” He shares news of his son Ned flying at Newport News and relays Ned's telegram that “the President could go as far as he liked, 'the bunch' would back him up.” Lane then reflects: “Strange how warlike young fellows are, especially if they think that they are preparing for some usefulness in war. That's the militaristic spirit that is bad.” This blend of fatherly concern and political analysis shows how Lane's public and private selves intertwined.

The Editor's Hand: Selection and Omission

The preface reveals the editors' active role in shaping the collection. They selected letters that “tell the story of Franklin K. Lane's life as it unfolded itself in service to his country.” They omitted vast numbers of requests for patronage, commissions, and appointments, but included technical letters that represent “incomplete and original phases of the work he attempted.” This framing indicates that the volume is not a complete archive but a curated narrative. The editors also standardized punctuation in some cases, while leaving other letters with their original dashes. Readers should be aware that the letters are presented with a specific editorial intent, emphasizing Lane's passion for public service over routine correspondence.

This collection offers a direct line to Franklin K. Lane's thinking during a critical period in American history. The editors' decision to preserve his unpolished style means that readers encounter his voice with unusual immediacy. For those interested in the inner workings of the Wilson administration or the personal side of a cabinet officer, these letters provide a valuable primary source. Approach them as you would a conversation overheard—fragmentary, candid, and revealing.