FRANKLIN K. LANE

To Frederic J. Lane

American-Mexican Joint Commission

September 29, 1916

My dear Fritz,—­I sent you a wire the other night just to let you know that I was thinking of you.  I am now steaming down Long Island Sound in the midst of a rainstorm and with fog all around us, in the Government’s boat Sylph.  We are on our way to Atlantic City where the conference will continue, the hotel at New London having been closed. ...

It looks to me at long range as if Johnson would surely carry California.  Whether Wilson will, or not, is a question.  I hope to God he may.  Whether I shall get an opportunity to get out and stump for him depends entirely upon this Commission, which is holding me down hard.  We are working from ten in the morning till twelve at night, and not making as rapid progress as we should because of the Latin-American temperament.  They want to start a government afresh down there; that is, go upon the theory that there never was any government and that they now know how a government should be formed and the kind of laws there should be, disregarding all that is past, and basing their plans upon ideals which sometimes are very impracticable.  They distrust us.  They will not believe that we do not want to take some of their territory.

I despair often, but I take new courage when I think of you, of the struggle you are making and the brave way in which you are making it.  What a superbly glorious thing it would be if you could master the hellish fiend that has attacked you! ...

My best love to you, dear Fritz, affectionately yours, F. K. L.

To Frank I. Cobb New York World

American-Mexican Joint Commission Atlantic City, November 11, 1916

My dear Cobb,—­My very warm, earnest, and enthusiastic congratulations to you.  You made the best editorial campaign that I have ever known to be made.  I would give more for the editorial support of the New York World than for that of any two papers that I know of.  The result in California turned, really as the result in the entire West did, upon the real progressivism of the progressives.  It was not pique because Johnson was not recognized.  No man, not Johnson nor Roosevelt, carries the progressives in his pocket.  The progressives in the East were Perkins progressives who could be delivered.  The west thinks for itself.  Johnson could not deliver California.  Johnson made very strong speeches for Hughes.  The West is really progressive. ...

Speaking of the election, there are two things I want you to bear distinctly in mind, my dear Mr. Cobb.  One is that the states which the Interior Department deals with are the states which elected Mr. Wilson. ...  And the second is that we kept the Mexican situation from blowing up in a most critical part of the campaign, which is also due to the Secretary of the Interior, damn you!  In fact, next to you, I think the Secretary of the Interior is the most important part of this whole show!  Cordially yours,