I do hope that the President will get some capable effective administration officers who will take the burden of patronage off his shoulders and give him a chance to think on the money question, which is his big problem.  I like his Chicago speech, I like his New York speech, but I do not find many people who understand him, because he is really a sort of philosopher.  He teaches the psychology of new thought, the influence and effect of thought upon government.

I have written an article for the World’s Work which is to appear in March, entitled What I Am Trying To Do, but it is really sort of an answer to one or two articles that they have had upon the railroad side of the question of regulation—­a demonstration of the chaotic condition of things that existed prior to the establishment of the Commission; and that the effect of regulation has been to increase railroad earnings and put things upon a stable and more satisfactory basis. ...  I find that I have a copy of the proofs in the office and I am going to send it to you and ask you to criticise it. ...

With my love to your good wife, believe me, as always,

FRANKLIN K. LANE

To Joseph N. Teal

Washington, January 20, 1913

My dear Joe,—...  You know we practically have the power now to make a physical appraisement. ...  We should not ourselves attempt to arrive at cost.  That is a very hard thing for the railroads to furnish.  They have taken good care to destroy most of the books and papers that would show cost.

Politically, I hear of no news.  Wilson is able to keep his own counsel more perfectly than anybody I have ever known, and nobody comes back from Trenton knowing anything more than when he went. ...  The money question is going to be the big one, and it looks to me as though certain gentlemen were preparing to intimidate him with a panic, which they won’t do because he will appeal to the country.  He has got splendid nerve, and while Washington won’t like him a little, little bit, the country, I think, will put him down as a very great President.  As always,

FRANKLIN K. LANE

To Edward M. House

Washington, January 22, 1913

Dear Mr. House,—­You ask me what is the precise political situation on the Pacific Coast as to various candidates for the Cabinet.

As I have told you, I am to be eliminated from consideration.  California has but one candidate, one who was in Governor Wilson’s primary campaign and who made the fight for him in that state, in the person of James D. Phelan whom you have met. ...  Recognition given to Phelan will be given to the foremost man in the progressive fight in California. ...  He is a brilliant speaker and a man of excellent business judgment. ...  He has fine social quality and sufficient money to maintain such a position in proper dignity.  Not to recognize him in some first-class manner would be a triumph for his enemies—­and his enemies are the crooks of the state.