Franklin K. Lane — To Frank I, Cobb New York World
New York, December 6, [1920]
DEAR FRANK,—You are right, but too far ahead. We must come to Cabinet responsibility, and I am with you as an agitator. Twenty years may see it.
This morning you chide the Republicans for not having a program. Good God, man, why so partisan? What program have we? Will we just oppose; vote “Nay,” to all they propose? That way insures twenty years as “outs”—and we won’t deserve to be in. What we lack is just plain brains. We have a slushy, sentimental Democracy, but don’t have men who can concrete-ize feeling into policy, if you know what that means. A program—a practicable, constructive program—quietly drawn, agreeable to the leaders in both Houses, pushed for, advocated loudly! That’s our one hope—Agree? Yours cordially,