Work, Hubert Sec. of Interior 1923-28 Received 12/9/2008 97411 TX24 10-23 12 ACAD DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ACAD CARRIAGE RD: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ACADTA NA IONAL PARK FILE No. PAPERS Relating to Road Hearing before Secretary Work March 26 1924 (A) See also Series I (chronology), 1924, for references to Interiorfecretory H. work and Road Development (B) Subject file "Roads: 1924 twining Hearrigg" Note: See also Ronald H. Epp chronological file for k additional primary documentation for the Dorr biography. 12/20/2024 ACADIA NATIONAL PARK LIBRARY * ACADIA NATIONAL PARK LIBR This references a 141-page set of noteo Collection detailing the 1924 Road Hearings. Charles W. Eliot to George B. Dorr Esq. Cambridge, Mass., 7 Fedruary 1924. My dear Dorr: Yours of the 5th is at hand. I have received notice of the meeting of the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservations at Bar Harbor, and will sign the necessary deed whenever received. The tract will be a very valuable acquisition for the Lafayatta National Park. There is certainly a remarkable outpouring of talk and tears over Wilson's death; but I doubt 11 it means that the American people is now going to do what he wanted them to do in 1920. That is, I doubt if the American people as a whole has recover- ed from the moral collapse it experienced in 1919. Moral reforms, like educational reforms, are very slow. Lodge has certainly not improved his own position before the country by what he lately said in the Senate. I wrote a rather full letter to Secretary Work, the main objects of which were to warn him against Pepper and to thank him for his prompt recall of his (7 February 1924) 2. order to stop work at the Lafayette National Park this winter. What is to be apprehended is that the present movement in favor of economics in the National Service will extend to the parks, where economies mean reductions or postpoment of the public enjoyment of the Parks. There are only two regions of public expenditure in which economy is even & less legitimate motive than in the Parks, namely, the postoffice and the public schools. In those two departments economy is positively silly; because it is well known that expenditure there mone increased productivity and higher profits in the important industries, and hence in national well-being. Sincerely yours, Charles W. Eliot. George B. Dorr, Esq. 8/26/2021 Work, Hubert (1860-1942), physician and secretary of the interior I American National Biography Work, Hubert FREE Note: (03 July 1860-14 December 1942) See Dorr Archive John W. Heaton SeriesIII, "Roads: https://doi.org/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.0600736 1924 Hearing". Published in print: 1999 Published online: February 2000 Hubert Work Courtesy of the Library of Congress (LC-USZ62-110613). Work, Hubert (03 July 1860-14 December 1942), physician and secretary of the interior, was born in Marion Center, Pennsylvania, the son of Moses Thompson Work and Tabitha Logan Van Horn, farmers. He graduated from Indiana (Pa.) https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0600736 1/5 8/26/2021 Work, Hubert (1860-1942), physician and secretary of the interior I American National Biography State Normal School, studied medicine from 1882 to 1884 at the University of Michigan, then transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, where he received an M.D. in 1885. He established a practice in Greeley, Colorado, then moved to Pueblo, where he founded the Woodcroft Hospital for mental illnesses in 1896. He directed this facility until 1917. Work acquired his professional reputation as a clinician and psychiatrist, earning honorary degrees and holding memberships in scientific organizations devoted to his specialty. In the 1880s and 1890s he served with the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners and acted as president of both the State Board of Health and the Colorado State Medical Society. In 1906 he began his first term as a delegate of the American Medical Association, becoming in 1916 the first chairman of the House of Delegates and in 1921 the president of the association. He joined the Army Medical Corps in 1917, serving as medical adviser to the provost marshal general. Work earned the rank of colonel and at the end of World War I entered the Army Medical Reserve. Although noted for his efforts in medicine, Work gained national prominence as a political activist. His reputation as a stalwart Republican landed him the chair of the Colorado State Republican Convention and a delegate's position at the Republican National Convention in 1908. He was a member of the Republican National Committee from 1913 to 1919. His talents as a political organizer became well known, and he established a strong base of support among farmers during Warren G. Harding's 1920 presidential campaign. His success in this endeavor led Harding to appoint Work as first assistant to Postmaster General Will Hays in 1921 and to postmaster general after Hay's resignation in 1922. He held this post for over a year, gaining a reputation for efficiency and businesslike management. He instituted mail service reforms and proposed economizing measures, such as government ownership of Post Office buildings. When the controversial Albert Fall resigned under pressure as secretary of the interior in 1923, Harding named Work as Fall's successor. Allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiency followed as details of Fall's involvement in the Teapot Dome scandal surfaced. Work set out to alleviate the department's internal turmoil and to restore its credibility. He reorganized daily operations, simplified policy, gained the support of his agency and staff, https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0600736 2/5 8/26/2021 Work, Hubert (1860-1942), physician and secretary of the interior I American National Biography and sought efficiency through application of business methods. He wanted to move beyond the controversy between the East and the West over proper disposal of western resources by declaring an end to the era of exploitation of the public domain and heralding a new age of conservation. These actions improved the Interior Department's image and raised awareness of serious threats to the environment. The Reclamation Service represented one of the more pressing problems of Work's administration. Flat agricultural markets in the 1920s made it difficult for water users to cover their obligations to the government. He replaced the agency's director and appointed a review committee. In August 1923 Work issued a memo, "The Tentative Policy of the Reclamation Bureau of the Department of the Interior," addressing the status of existing and contemplated projects. He proposed to reduce overhead through implementation of business accounting measures, subdivision of large farms, diversification of crops, establishment of new markets for farm produce, and informing water users that government water projects should be treated as interest-free loans. Regarding new reclamation project proposals, he cautioned planners to consider the ability of farmers to repay work, operation, and maintenance costs. Work addressed several other issues during his tenure. Stock grazing on public lands emerged as a serious problem in the 1920s. Unauthorized and unrestricted grazing threatened to destroy rangelands. Work lobbied for more government control of range resources, called for stock raisers to help preserve grazing lands, and stressed the necessity of cooperation between industry and government. In response to public criticism over the Teapot Dome scandal, Work helped establish the Federal Oil Conservation Board in 1924 to improve practices and encourage cooperation between government and the oil industry. Work demonstrated concern for the preservation of scenic resources and development of the National Park Service, generating interest in setting aside new lands for parks, especially in the East, where few existed. He felt these areas should be preserved in a natural state for the purposes of "recreation, education, and scientific research." https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-060073 3/5 8/26/2021 Work, Hubert (1860-1942), physician and secretary of the interior I American National Biography Work also faced condemnation of the controversial Bureau of Indian Affairs. The General Allotment Act of 1887-designed to assimilate Indians by promoting private ownership of tribal land-had led instead to an erosion of the Indian estate (individual and tribal landholdings on and off reservations), impoverishment, health and education concerns, and an assault on Indian culture. Work supported enforcement of the legislation, stressing only that more care be taken in the removal of government trust restrictions on Indian allotments. However, persistent criticism of the Indian Bureau led Work to commission the Institute for Government Research to prepare a study of Indian affairs, economics, and social conditions. This survey, published in 1928, revealed the ineffectiveness of the Indian Bureau and recommended sweeping changes in policy and administration. Work left the Interior Department just after this report was issued and could not implement any of its recommendations. Serious Indian policy reforms did not occur until passage in 1934 of the Indian Reorganization Act. Work resigned his Interior Department post in July 1928 to lead the effort to nominate Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) for the Republican presidential ticket. After this success, Hoover appointed Work to manage his election campaign as chairman of the Republican National Committee. Following Hoover's election victory, Work retired from politics at the age of sixty-nine and returned to Denver, Colorado, to practice medicine. His wife, Laura M. Arbuckle, whom he married in 1887 and with whom he had five children, had died in 1924, and in 1933 he married Ethel Reed Gano. Work died in Denver. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Bibliography Work's papers are in the Colorado State Archives, Denver; the Postmaster General Files, National Archives, Washington, D.C.; and the Speech and Office Files, Department of the Interior Records, National Archives, Washington, D.C. Other papers are in the Warren G. Harding Papers, State Historical Society, Columbus, Ohio; Calvin Coolidge Papers, Library of Congress; and Herbert Hoover Papers, Hoover Library, West Branch, lowa. See also Eugene P. Trani, "Hubert Work and the Department of the Interior, 1923-1928," https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0600736 4/5 8/26/2021 Work, Hubert (1860-1942), physician and secretary of the interior I American National Biography Pacific Northwest Quarterly 61 (Jan. 1970): 31-40; Eugene P. Trani, The Secretaries of the Department of the Interior, 1849-1969 (1975); Von Gayle Hamilton, Work Family History (1969); Janet A. McDonnell, The Dispossession of the American Indian, 1887-1934 (1991); Kenneth R. Philp, John Collier's Crusade for Indian Reform, 1920-1954 (1977); and Donald C. Swain, Federal Conservation Policy, 1921-1933 (1963). Obituaries are in the New York Times, 15 Dec. 1942; the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 97 (1943): 382-83; and the Journal of the American Medical Association, 120 (1942): 1332. See also Harding, Warren Gamaliel (1865-1923), twenty-ninth president of the United States Hays, Will H. (1879-1954), motion picture industry official, lawyer, and politician Fall, Albert Bacon (1861-1944), secretary of the interior Hoover, Herbert Clark (1874-1964), engineer, philanthropist, and thirty-first president of the United States Copyright © Oxford University Press 2021. Printed from American National Biography. Under the terms of the licence agreement, an individual user may print out a single article for personal use (for details see Privacy Policy and Legal Notice). date: 27 August 2021 https://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-0600736 5/5 had done that which ) contemplate. NOTICE: This material may be protected by copyright law. (Title 17 U.S. Code) Hubert Work (1860-1942) vow abstention from with such posers, para- and the Department of the Interior, 1923-28 r at contemplating a i, SO mortifying, so y obscene, drove all self-sacrifice from our BY EUGENE P. TRANI were washed away in uld only repeat, with HUBERT WORK was one of the most important from 1913 to 1919. All the while he continued heathen sacrifice. officials in the administrations of Presidents practicing medicine; in addition, he served as al yokes of flowers, Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge, but as president of the Colorado State Medical Society an official he has remained relatively unknown. and then of the American Medico-Psychological al. It lies with us, and His career was marked by service as postmaster- Association. During the First World War he rose unformed spirits, to general and as secretary of the interior between to the rank of colonel, while supervising medical which are poisoning the years 1922 and 1928. He was clearly an indi- aspects of the draft. ern literature at the vidual of much significance, particularly because Work's organizational talents, as well as his not yet appeared, but of his service with the Department of the Interior. Republican tendencies, were well known by 1920, We have had a vision, Yet his activities are generally unrecorded, his and during the presidential campaign that year, boldly to prophesy his accomplishments unheralded. National Chairman Will Hays named him to en in this darkest and Little in Work's background seemed to prepare organize farmers in support of the Harding- the mountain tops of him for a career in politics. He was born on a Coolidge ticket. Work joined in the task with farm at Marion Center, Pennsylvania, on July 3, enthusiasm, and after Harding's overwhelming 1860, and attended local schools. Following grad- victory over James M. Cox, he planned to return ner, torn, but flying, uation from what was then the Indiana (Pennsyl- to Colorado, 2 d against the wind! vania) State Normal School, he studied medicine But Work was not to return to the practice of and graduated from the University of Pennsyl- medicine for many years. He was named first vania Medical School in 1885. He went west to assistant postmaster-general, a position which seek his fortune, settled first in Greeley, Colorado, enabled him to continue his relationship with where he began to practice medicine, and then Hays, who took over the Post Office Department. moved to Pueblo, where he founded the Wood- Work's service as first assistant postmaster-general croft Hospital for mental diseases in 1896 and managed the local hospital until he entered the 1 For a brief biography of Work, as well as an exten- sive bibliography on him, see Eugene P. Trani, "The army during the First World War.1 Secretaries and Under Secretaries of the Department of Work early exhibited an interest in the Repub- the Interior,' unpublished manuscript, copies in the d he pleads for continuity Department of the Interior Library and in the Interior lican party. He participated in local politics, e is concerned that renova- Department Records, Record Group 48, National Archives. continuity held by shop- became chairman of the state Republican con- This manuscript IS currently being revised for publication. vention of Colorado in 1908, and in that same For Work's explanation as to the role of an M.D. in that it will work needless public life, see Hubert Work, "The Physician in Public rs who cannot afford to be year was a delegate to the national Republican Life," speech before the Medical Club, Philadelphia, time. He points out that convention that nominated William Howard April 20, 1923, copy in Box 1, Work Speech File, Interior onsideration would "elimi- Taft for the presidency. A staunch party man, he Department Records, Record Group 48, National Archives (hereafter cited Work Speech File). move the residents of the opposed the progressive split and continued with 2 As an indication of Work's support for Harding, see environmental setting of the regular Republicans. He became chairman of Work to Warren G. Harding, July 29, 1920, Box 507, the State Republican Committee and was a Warren G. Harding Papers, Öhio Historical Society, warm book, one that will Columbus (hereafter cited Harding Papers). For evidence member of the Republican National Committee of Work's satisfaction with Harding's campaign, see Work nd all who know the mar- to Will Hays, Aug. 18, 1920, Will Hays Papers, Indiana ould be in the library of EUGENE P. TRANI is professor of history at Southern Illinois Historical Society, Indianapolis. There is a good deal of what has been. Work's correspondence with Hays concerning the 1920 University and visiting research fellow at The Papers of election in the Hays Papers. See also letter from Work to ELIZABETH SUTTON GUSTISON Woodrow Wilson, Princeton University. He is currently Harding, Oct. 3, 1920, Box 525, Harding Papers, in which working on a study of "The United States, Manchuria, and Work noted what had been done for the farmers by the the Open Door, 1905-1921." Republicans. RTHWEST QUARTERLY JANUARY 1970 31 Pacific Northwest Quarterly Jan. 1970. Vol. 61 31-40. was brief and generally uneventful. He was Thomas E. Campbell of Arizona was the person Al interested in organizational matters, served as who was most frequently recommended, and he Presi liaison between his department and Congress, and had powerful support. Governors Samuel other supervised the preparation of a new edition of McKelvie of Nebraska, Ben W. Olcot' of Oregon, want postal laws and regulations. Hays resigned in William D. Stephens of California, G. Scrug. with January, 1922, to become head of the National ham of Nevada, Henry J. Allen of Kansas, J.F. deep Association of Motion Picture Producers and Hinkle of New Mexico, Joseph M. Dixon of trust Distributors. Work served for two months as Montana, and Charles R. Mabey of Utah, were Hard acting postmaster-general, while the President among the many who favored Campbell. Other as F was searching for a successor to Hays. In the end candidates were Governors D. W. Davis of Idaho Indi Harding chose Work to succeed Hays, probably and Dixon of Montana, Congressman Frank not only because there was substantial Congres- Mondell of Wyoming, Senator Miles Poindexter sional support for Work. but also because the of Washington, and Secretary of Commerce Her. THE President knew Work and appreciated his efforts bert Hoover. There was even a telegram from bese in the 1920 election 3 Governor William E. Sweet of Colorado which beca Work became postmaster-general of the United supported Work for the job. as W States on March 4, 1922. Although he served for ings little more than one year, he left a mark upon the department. He was particularly concerned with Hays to Harding. March 28. 1921. Box 37. Harding Work businesslike efficiency in government operations, Papers. in which Hays asked the President to sign Work's Speec commission; Postal Laws and Regulations Applicable to postn and he stressed two ideas: the government should Post Office Clerks and City Carriers (Washington, D.C., consis own, rather than lease, post-office buildings; and 1921), prepared under the direction of Hubert Work, from first assistant postmaster-general, Nov. I, 1921. See Boxes Ma appointments of postmasters should be on the 38, 39, and 40, Harding Papers, for the letters of support Depa: basis of ability, not politics.4 for candidates, such as those favoring Walter S. Dickey, the It is not surprising that, after the resignation of editor of the Kansas City Daily Journal, Charles Dawes was of Chicago, R. B. Creager. Republican state chairman of the SI Albert B. Fall in March, 1923, Harding appointed Texas, and Senator Harry S. New of Indiana. the P Work secretary of the interior. This was by no Harding was barraged by letters from at least thirty 1922, seven congressmen and five senators, all calling for Work's See means a casual move on Harding's part. Fall, a promotion. Prominent among the writers were Senators Unite former senator from New Mexico, was a contro- Charles E. Townsend of Michigan, chairman of the Abstr versial secretary of the interior, and many expo- Committee on Post Offices and Postal Roads, Lawrence 5B C. Phipps of Colorado, Thomas Watson of Georgia, and good nents of conservation had been calling for him Tasker L. Oddie of Nevada. Among the congressmen Hard to leave the cabinet. Fall believed that the West's were Guy Hardy of Colorado, Charles Kearns of Ohio, spon land, timber, and minerals should be exploited. Charles Curry of California. and James G. Strong of some Kansas. Work had gained this support as the Congres- Hard During his term as secretary of the interior, he sional liaison man for the Post Office Department. See the Fall supported the transfer of the Forest Service from letters to Harding from Townsend. Jan. 19. 1922, Phipps, Domo Jan. 17. 1922, Watson, Jan. 19. 1922. Oddie, Jan. 19, 1922, 1955) the Department of Agriculture to Interior, albeit Hardy, Jan. 14. 1922, Kearns, Jan. 14. 1922. Curry. Jan. without success, and he attempted to help private 18. 1922, Strong. Feb. 25. 1922. and the many others in tion Box 39. Harding Papers. Wom concerns while he was on the Federal Power There was some opposition to the appointment of Hall Commission. By 1923 Fall was dissatisfied. He had Work. Much of it came, not unexpectedly, from such Socie entered the cabinet as a friend of the new Presi- organizations as the Michigan State Osteopathic Associa- in B dent and expected to be a close adviser. His tion, the Missouri Chiropractic College, and the Kansas McK Association of Chiropractory, all no doubi horrified at Jan. influence with Harding seemed to be slipping; the possibility of a president of the American Medical 1923, he disliked having outsiders interfere with his Association- which olice Work was elected in 1921- 1923, department, and he was tired of the attacks by the attaining cabinet status. See the letters to the President Sweet from the Michigan State Osteopathic Association. Feb. 3, rest ardent conservationists. He decided to resign, and 1922, Missouri Chiropractic College, Feb. 20. 1922, Kansas Pape by early 1923 this decision was virtually public Association of Chiropractory. Feb. 25. 1922. and others Fall's opposing the appointment in Box 39, Harding Papers. Box knowledge.5 There are many letters and telegrams congratulating befor For Harding, as yet unaware of the Teapot Work on his appointment as postmaster-general in Box from Dome oil scandal, the choice of a new secretary 7. Hubert Work Papers, Colorado State Archives, Denver exam (hereafter cited Work Papers). of the interior was an important appointment. Work to Harding, May 17, 1922, Work Postmaster Hard General Files, Post Office Department Records, Record Hard He knew that Fall's policies had been unpopular Group 28, National Archives; Work to Joint Commission other and that public estimation of the department had on Postal Service, Aug. 21, 1922, and Harding to Work, letter to be improved. The White House was flooded Aug. 24, 1922, Box 38, Harding Papers, for Work's ideas with recommendations for successors to Fall. on post office sites. For his beliefs on the selection of postmasters, Conservation clubs and organizations urged the Post Office Department press release, Jan. 8. 1923. Box 39, Depa President to use great care. Former Governor Harding Papers; Work press release, Feb. 28. 1923. and 32 PACIFIC NORTHWEST QUARTERLY JANI Arizona was the person the recommendations had little effect on the of Secretary Fall's involvement in the Teapot recommended, and he President, who seems to have considered no one Dome scandal. Governors Samuel R. other than Postmaster-General Work. Harding It is interesting to see how Work dealt with the n W. Olcott of Oregon, wanted a man who was in touch and sympathy confusions of his new office. He instituted an California, J. G. Scrug. with the "great West which is SO intimately and "open door" policy: anyone having business Allen of Kansas, J. deeply concerned." He also wanted a man he could see him. He displayed attractive working Joseph M. Dixon of trusted. All these considerations pointed to Work. habits; he arrived at his desk early, stayed late, Mabey of Utah, were Harding moved him to Interior, replacing him and studied his department. It might seem that 'ored Campbell. Other as postmaster-general with Harry S. New of such tactics as he employed were uncomplicated S Davis of Idaho Indiana. to the point of simplicity. Sometimes-perhaps Congressman Frank W. the historian may be permitted this naive obser- ator Miles Poindexter vation-the best approach to confusion is sim- tary of Commerce Her. THE NEW SECRETARY inherited a department plicity, and Work (I would urge) thereby showed even a telegram from beset by infighting and assaulted from the outside himself a man of judgment. He was, of course, eet of Colorado which because it was considered corrupt and inefficient quickly able to gain the confidence of his em- b.6 as well as the enemy of conservation, These feel- ployees. ings were heightened with the gradual disclosure Work was clear about what he wanted from his new employees, and he sent a long memorandum 28, 1921. Box 37. Harding Work to Richard H. Dana, March 26, 1923, Box 3, Work to them on March 27, 1923. He was concerned e President to sign Work's Speech File. See also the material on the selection of Regulations Applicable to postmasters in Box 12, Work Papers. This latter material about the public appearance of the department. Carriers (Washington, D.C., consists of correspondence between Harding and Work He noted that irection of Hubert Work, from 1922 and 1923 concerning postmasters. il, Nov. 1. 1921. See Boxes Many of Work's ideas about running the Post Office Underlying every governmental activity is the idea of i, for the letters of support Department were followed after he became secretary of service to the people. It is the only excuse for the existence favoring Walter S. Dickey, the interior. Thus, while his term as postmaster-general of your job and my job, and if we acquire the habit of ly Journal, Charles Dawes was brief, his influence was not small, particularly on considering the public as a necessary evil incident to our publican state chairman of the subject of economy in government. Expenditures for ew of Indiana. employment, we fail to justify our continuance in office. the Post Office Department in 1921 were $620,993,000; in letters from at least thirty. 1922, when Work headed the department, $545,644,000. We cease to be public servants and become, instead, one ators, all calling for Work's See U.S. Bureau of the Census, Historical Statistics of the of a class of petty bureaucrats.8 the writers were Senators United States, Colonial Times to 1957: A Statistical ichigan, chairman of the Abstract (Washington, D.C., 1960), 496. He observed that every person who had business d Postal Roads, Lawrence By this time, Work was also giving the president a with the department had the right to be heard as Watson of Georgia, and good deal of political advice. See, for example, Work to Among the congressmen Harding, May 29, 1922, Box 38, Harding Papers. Corre- and was entitled to courteous and complete ex- Charles Kearns of Ohio, spondence in Boxes 13, 14, 15, and 16, Work Papers, gives planations. and James G. Strong of some indication of political activities of Work in the Work had become disturbed at the manner in S support as the Congres- Harding and Coolidge administrations. A good study of Office Department. See the Fall is David H. Stratton's "Albert B. Fall and the Teapot which Interior employees answered letters, often end, Jan. 19. 1922. Phipps, Dome Affair," Ph.D. dissertation (University of Colorado, "ignoring the sensibilities of the correspondent." 1922, Oddie, Jan. 19, 1922, 1955). Jan. 14. 1922, Curry, Jan. 6 Mrs. Charles C. Marshall, chairman of the Conserva- He noted that, "by failing to respond fully to his and the many others in tion Committee of the New York City Federation of [the writer's] inquiry, or by overlooking its pur- Women's Clubs, to Harding, Jan. 6, 1923, Edward H. port, a positive affront is offered, just as though n to the appointment of Hall of the American Scenic and Historic Preservation unexpectedly, from such Society to Harding, Jan. 16, 1923, and many other letters the letter writer were wilfully uncivil." He be- State Osteopathic Associa- in Box 24, Harding Papers; telegrams to Harding from lieved that such practices were building resent- C College. and the Kansas McKelvie, Jan. 7, 1923, Olcott, Jan. 7, 1923, Stephens, ment, and, in order to regain public confidence, all no doubt horrified at Jan. 7, 1923, Hinkle, Jan. 9, 1923, and Mabey, Jan. 16, of the American Medical 1923, ibid.; letters to Harding from Scrugham, Jan. 8, he asked his employees to write "considerate, ork was elected in 1921- 1923, Allen, Jan. 8, 1923, and Dixon, Jan. 10, 1923, ibid.; intelligent letters to effect this purpose." Expres- ne letters to the President Sweet to Harding (telegram), Jan. 13, 1923, as well as the pathic Association, Feb. rest of the recommendations, Boxes 24-26, Harding sions such as "so far as this Department is con- llege, Feb. 20. 1922, Kansas Papers. For an indication that Harding was aware of cerned the case is closed," "said contact," "you are Feb. 25, 1922, and others Fall's unpopularity, see Harding to M. Allis, June 5, 1922, advised," and "in reply beg to state," had to go.9 Box 39, Harding Papers. Box 24, Harding Papers. In this letter, written well I telegrams congratulating before Fall's resignation, the President defended Fall The secretary suggested that each bureau postmaster-general in Box from charges made by Allis. This was not an isolated be identified with the Interior Department, "be- ado State Archives, Denver example. 7 Harding to C. S. Thomas, Jan. 15, 1923, Box 24, cause, strange as it may seem, many people 7. 1922, Work Postmaster- Harding Papers. There is no indication at all in the believe that some of the bureaus are independent partment Records. Record Harding Papers that the President considered anyone establishments." He mentioned all of this because Work to Joint Commission other than Work for the job, notwithstanding the many 22. and Harding to Work, letters of support he received for other candidates. There he wanted to "bring the important work of the g Papers, for Work's ideas are many letters and telegrams congratulating Work on Interior Department before the people of the his appointment to Interior in Box 9, Work Papers. country, and this can only be done by crediting ection of postmasters, see 8 Work to All Officers and Employees of the Interior please, Jan. 8, 1923. Box 39. Department, March 27, 1923, Box 3, Work Speech File. to the Department all bureau activities." He release, Feb. 28, 1923, and Ibid. closed this memorandum of introduction by RTHWEST QUARTERLY JANUARY 1970 33 stating that "We are out to make friends for the of the Department of Agriculture in April, 1923 Interior Department."10 he noted that the Departments of Agriculture and Work believed that much of the reputation of Interior were accomplishing much by mutual his department was undeserved and that some cooperation-an obvious attempt to reduce the policies had been badly presented. In a letter to current conflict between the departments that Mrs. Albert B. Fall after the Teapot Dome affair almost resembled the Ballinger-Pinchot contro- had been exposed, he noted that the Falls still versy of a dozen or SO years earlier. He noted that had much influence and many friends both departments could do more. 13 who have remembered you through all of your trouble Work favored the Harding reorganization and sympathized with you because of the annoyances that plans and stated that "no student of economics have been injected into your life. [The] common will dispute the incalculable benefits to be ac. enemy to good government still has its eye on this Depart- crued through a logical re-allocation of Govern ment every day, watching for some place to get a hold. The minority party is distraught for want of a campaign issue, ment services." He emphasized that Interior and and those sympathizing with it are always on the watch Agriculture were parts of a "great Government, for something to make material out of. All of this you not miniature Governments in themselves, and know and remember and is not worth repeating. 11 therefore both departments are obligated to con- tribute through mutual cooperation to the suc. Perhaps Work summed up his administrative cessful administration of the Government as a bent best when he wrote in 1925 that he had been whole." He thought that the government should trying "to put a new face on the Department of be reorganized so that related services were in one the Interior, which has heretofore been regarded department, "and the line between interlocking as a depot of high explosives, for the Administra- services should be clearly defined so that equip- tion."12 ment, employees, bureaus, and divisions of the Secretary Work then attacked the problems Government departments may not be dupli- facing the department. He thought that in gen- cated. "14 eral the federal government was inefficient, and For his own department Work brought in he was convinced that before the Department of many new employees from the business world. He the Interior could come to grips with policy, it transferred personnel work into the secretary's had to be reorganized. He believed that business office and abolished the system whereby each methods should be applied to government, for the bureau maintained a separate appointment divi- government was the biggest business in the sion. In such minor matters as mimeographing country. From the outset he stressed greater papers within the department, he found a state of efficiency. Speaking before a group of employees confusion and resolved it. Before he took office, Colorado State Archives Hubert Work 34 PACIFIC NORTHWEST QUARTERLY culture in April, 1923, six bureaus had duplicating sections, with a total reforms was to bring all the Washington bureaus ents of Agriculture and of forty-three employees, each averaging about of the department together in a single location, ng much by mutual 34,500 impressions monthly. He created one what is now General Services Administration. attempt to reduce the duplication division of twenty-two employees, Work was quick to tell the President about the the departments that monthly average rose to 53,500 impressions. money his department was saving; the secretary linger-Pinchot contro- This division also provided quicker service.15 was too political an individual not to sense the earlier. He noted that Another way to cut expenditures and increase need to advertise his efforts. He submitted annual more. 13 efficiency, Work decided, was to let out for con- reports to the White House, to show changes in arding reorganization tract in competitive bidding as many jobs as organization and methods, and frequently noted student of economics possible. The department had fallen into the that his department's budget was not getting out ble benefits to be ac. practice of doing field work by "force account," of hand. It was, in fact, decreasing: department -allocation of Govern. which meant that "instead of private contractors appropriations in 1922 were $342 million; in ized that Interior and being awarded contracts for the construction, it 1923, $327 million; and in 1924, $325 million. a "great Government, is done by the bureau engineers, who purchase He also pointed to the fact that he was striving its in themselves, and the necessary equipment, hire the labor and man- to reduce the department staff, while increasing S are obligated to con- age the job." The secretary opposed this proce- services; in 1925 alone the staff in Washington poperation to the suc- dure because it was inefficient and because it and in the field decreased by almost 2,000 em- the Government as a meant that the government was getting into busi- ployees. 17 he government should ness "by itself and for itself." Another of Work's Work probably devoted more time to organiza- ed services were in one tion. and attained more success. than any secre- between interlocking 10 Work to All Officers and Empioyees of the Interior tary of the interior since James R. Garfield, who defined SO that equip- Department, March 27, 1923, Box 3, Work Speech File. served in Theodore Roosevelt's Administration. and divisions of the 11 Work to Mrs. Albert B. Fall, Aug. 1, 1925, Box 2, Calvin Coolidge, Harding's successor, must have. may not be dupli- Work Office File, Interior Department Records, Record found such activity impressive. He appreciated Group 48, National Archives (hereafter cited Work Office File). economy; in one of his presidential messages, he nt Work brought in Work to Robert Sterling Yard, Nov. 18, 1925, Box 2, announced that economy was the most practical the business world. He Work Office File. form of idealism. 13 Work to Employees of the Department of Agricul- k into the secretary's ture, Washington, D.C., April 13, 1923, copy in Box 1, system whereby each Work Speech File. 14 Ibid. rate appointment divi- DURING THE 1920's the Department of the Interior 15 Work to H. M. Lord, director of the Bureau of the ers as mimeographing Budget, Oct. 23, 1925, Box 1, Work Office File. was essentially a department of conservation and ent, he found a state of 16 Work to Associated General Contractors of America, public works It was therefore necessary for the Before he took office Jan. copy in Box 1, Work Speech File. new secretary to make clear his attitude on 17 Work to Harding, May 12, 1923, Box 23, Harding Papers; Work to Calvin Coolidge, March 13, 1924, Case conservation. Work set forth his ideas in a series File 6, Calvin Coolidge Papers, Library of Congress of speeches and published statements. In a speech (hereafter cited Coolidge Papers); E. C. Finney, first at American Falls, Idaho, in 1925, he noted that assistant secretary of the interior, to Lord, Jan. 5, 1926, and Work to Lord, Aug. 19, 1927, Box 1, Work Office during the Taft Administration the country had File; press release of the Department of the Interior, been disturbed by a "wordy war between ex- Dec. 5, 1927, Case File 6, Coolidge Papers. Work also made sure the public was aware of how tremists, discussing conservation." The East, he the department had changed, how much money was said, had sought "to lock up through legislation being saved, and exactly what the department was doing the wealth of the West for use of succeeding gen- for America. Some of this information appeared in the annual reports of the secretary of the interior, 1923 to erations." Many Westerners resented the "strong 1929. Even more important are three pamphlets: The armed action," and personal attacks and bitter- Department of the Interior: A Review for 1925 (Wash- ness developed, even "between employees of ington, D.C., 1925); A Federal University for the People (Washington, D.C., 1926); and The Department of the different Departments of the Government that Interior: A Three Years' Review (Washington, D.C., 1926). only within the last four years has begun to Work also made sure Coolidge was aware of these pam- subside." phlets. See, for example, Coolidge to Work, Oct. 8, 1926, Box 6, Work Papers, in which the President thanked Work Work hoped to avoid such controversy and to for the three-year review. apply the principles of efficiency to natural re- the midst of the New Deal, Harold L. Ickes, FDR's secretary of the interior. proposed to change the sources. He believed in wise use of the resources name of his department to the Department of Conserva- "as well as preservation for future needs." The Hubert Work tion and Works. For an analysis of Ickes, as well as his American economy had in the past advanced by Tosing battle, see Eugene P. Trani, "Conflict or Com- promise: Harold L. Ickes and Franklin D. Roosevelt," the liberal "and often reckless" use of natural North Dakota Quarterly, Vol. 36 (Winter, 1968), 20-29. resources, Work said, and he urged 19 Work at the Construction of American Falls Reser- voir, American Falls, Idaho, July 13, 1925, copy in Box 1. a more thorough and intelligent conversion of our remain- Work Speech File (also in Box 3, Work Papers). ing natural wealth to industrial necessities. Nothing can :THWEST QUARTERLY JANUARY 1970 35 justify reckless use of our people's inheritance from farmers would be able to repay or that the cost of Interi Nature or other encroachments upon the capital of our operation and maintenance would be too heavy result, future generations [:] while the Federal Government is a burden for the water users. Proposed projects rapidly reducing its indebtedness, cities, counties and missio States are mortgaging themselves for the next generation.2 were to be examined not only for engineering, explar but also for soil, climate, markets, crops. In noted Thus, Work clearly was a conservationist. In brief, he told department officials that they an interview by the United Press News Service, agenc should "establish a real, actual and helpful work- wastel he advocated conservation as a "controlling ing cooperation with the farmer to aid him in vise ( national policy." In two speeches in California in every phase and aspect of production and market- reclair 1927, he noted that mineral deposits, timber ing of crops." He also urged that all government feasib supplies, streams, soils, and even ranges were irrigation projects be put under the control of the R being exhausted. He warned that the period of local water users. 24 struct exploitation of resources, at least as far as the The secretary appointed special advisers, the divide government was concerned, had passed. 21 so-called Fact Finders, who undertook a reexami- distril The public land grabs of the last century are a soiled nation of reclamation policy. Many weaknesses The t page in our history, but the remaining public domain is of the old system appeared. Of special concern lands protected for future generations. Our public coal deposits to Work was the fact that some individuals who every were shamelessly exploited during the last century, but had been induced to settle on new land had "the since 1906 Government coal lands have been withdrawn from entry and protected by leasing. 22 been given misleading and insufficient informa- Burea tion as to the conditions which they later were the re His policy was to make conservation the law of compelled to meet 25 Th the land. By these statements the Secretary was There was controversy over the new ideas, and how 1 not only improving the reputation of his depart- Coolidge advised Work that it might be well for noted ment, but he was educating Americans as to the the secretary to make a public statement explain- reclan seriousness of the crisis and proclaiming the ing reclamation law and the way in which the years Department of the Interior as the leader of the conservation movement. In this respect there was 20 Work at the Construction of American Falls Reser- certainly a great distance between the views of Coolid voir, July 13. 1925, copy in Box 1. Work Speech File. Nov. 2 Secretary Work and Albert B. Fall. 21 U.P. interview, "Our National Inheritance, October, was al Work was not just making speeches. He was 1926. Work before the Oakland Forum. March 24, 1927, of the Work before the Commonwealth Club, San Francisco, also determined to establish a sound conservation letters March 25. 1927. Work, "Conservation's Need of Legal ated ] policy which would include his beliefs about Advice." delivered at the Mineral Law Section of the Utah. efficiency and bureaucracy. He changed both the American Bar Association meeting. Buffalo, Aug. 30, tion D 1927, copies in Boxes 2 and 3. Work Speech File (copies 27 W name of the reclamation agency-from the Rec- of the Oakland and San Francisco speeches also in Box 3, Chicag lamation Service to the Bureau of Reclamation- Work Papers). The Buffalo speech appeared in the enne, American Bar Association Journal, Vol. 13 (1927). 517-20. and its head, replacing A. P. Davis with D. W. Speech Other published statements by the secretary were: "Have Work Davis, the former governor of Idaho, a move We Wasted Our Material Birthright," Magazine of Wall "Recla which resulted in much controversy.2 23 Street (Sept. 11, 1926); "America Has Reason to Be gation Thankful," National Republic, Vol. 14 (November, 1926), Then Work went into policy. On August 15, 1924), 5; and "Utilizing Our Natural Wealth," Nation's Business, United 1923, he issued a memorandum-"The Tentative Vol. 16 (May. 1928). 37-38. Settlen Policy of the Reclamation Bureau of the Depart- The best secondary treatment of this whole subject is Engine Donald C. Swain, Federal Conservation Policy, 1921-1933 was Fe ment of the Interior"-which dealt with both (Berkeley, 1963). While his study does not deal at length 1924); existing and new reclamation projects. Concern- with Work, Swain points to the increased concern about D.C., conservation in the 1920's, which Swain contends came ing the former, Work called for reduction of on Re from the bottom up. Without a man such as Work as 1926). overhead, introduction of business accounting, secretary of the interior, it is doubtful that the movement 28 subdivision of large farms, diversification of crops, would have been as successful as Swain shows that it was. Coolid 22 Work before the Oakland Forum, March 24, 1927, V and establishment of profitable markets for the Work before Commonwealth Club, San Francisco, March Settler products of farms. He asked reclamation officials 25. 1927, Boxes 2 and 3, Work Speech File (also in Box Work to "impress on water users the idea that the 3, Work Papers). 23 Work explained his move in a speech to the Ameri- servati Government money advanced for the construction can Society of Civil Engineers, Aug. 13, 1923. a copy of philos of these projects was temporarily for their benefit which, along with much other material about the contro- Coolia in the nature of a loan without interest." New versy, is in Box 3, Work Office File. is muc 24 Work memorandum, "The Tentative Policy of the of the projects to reclaim lands into profitable farms Reclamation Bureau of the Department of the Interior," One i were to be encouraged. Interior officials were to Aug. 15, 1923, Box 3. Work Office File. by the recommend against projects costing SO much that 25 Work to D. W. Davis, Jan. 4, 1924, Box 3. Work wester Office File. 1920 there was no reasonable probability that the 26 Coolidge to Work. Sept. 16, 1924, Case File 6. ment, 36 PACIFIC NORTHWEST QUARTERLY JANUA y or that the cost of Interior Department was administering it. As a the Government undertook on any scale." In this would be too heavy result, Work directed Elwood Mead, the com- condition it had failed. The only chance for Proposed projects missioner of reclamation, to issue a general success was to introduce the changes called for by ly for engineering, explanation of policy. In his statement, Mead the Fact Finders: cooperation between federal rkets, and crops. In noted that the Reclamation Bureau was the and state agencies; local management and opera- officials that they agency of the government charged with changing tion of projects in order to halt inefficiencies il and helpful work. wastelands into farms. The bureau was to ad- inherent in long-distance supervision; financial mer to aid him in vise Congress on the selection of areas to be aid to help the settlers in their new operations; duction and market. reclaimed, make plans for the work, and estimate discouragement of tenancy in favor of ownership; that all government feasibility. When the projects were authorized, and selection of settlers to emphasize "character ader the control of the Reclamation Bureau was in charge of con- and industry." Furthermore, prospective settlers struction. Mead stated that the bureau then who had had no experience were to receive pecial advisers, the divided the reclaimed land into farm units, necessary training.2 ndertook a reexami- distributed them, and arranged for settlement. In July, 1925, following Coolidge's second visit 1. Many weaknesses The bureau also sold water to owners of private to western reclamation projects, Work wrote to Of special concern lands in the projects and advised farmers. "At the President that the federal government should me individuals who every step of this development," Mead noted, continue its interest in reclamation, despite on new land had "the Department of the Interior, through the criticism, because private enterprise could not insufficient informa- Bureau of Reclamation, is held responsible for do the job. Work told the President: ich they later were the results attained."26 The benefits which come from reclamation are indirect. The secretary was more specific. He showed They include increase [s] in taxable wealth, not only of r the new ideas, and how his policy differed from previous efforts. He farms but of the towns which those farms create and sup- it might be well for noted in a speech given in 1925 that "Federal port, increase [s] of population in thinly peopled areas, an C statement explain- reclamation was instituted about twenty-four equalization in railway transportation; a cheapening of e way in which the years ago, the first purely socialistic enterprise local food supplies which permits the operation of mines, the better use of grazing lands, and the settlement of local manufacturing industries. Private enterprise can not absorb American Falls Reser- these benefits but they justify Federal reclamation as a 1. Work Speech File. Coolidge Papers; Elwood Mead to Frank H. Sterling, public policy.28 I Inheritance, October, Nov. 29, 1924, Box 3, Work Office File. By 1924 Coolidge Forum. March 24, 1927, was also receiving complimentary letters on the policy Club, San Francisco, of the secretary of the interior. See, for example, the While economy ought to be dominant in recla- letters to Coolidge from L. R. Taylor, chairman, Feder- mation, Work believed that the new policy would ration's Need of Legal al Law Section of the ated Reclamation Water Users Organization, Payson, bring success. Reclamation was important be- ing. Buffalo. Aug. 30, Utah, Feb. 9, 1924, and from the Burley, Idaho, Irriga- ork Speech File (copies tion District, Feb. 11, 1924, Case File 6, Coolidge Papers. cause, as he noted, Work to the Development Agents of Railroads, speeches also in Box 3, no conservation policy, in its broad sense, that does not eech appeared in the Chicago, March 19, 1925, and speech delivered in Chey- enne, Wyoming, June 22, 1925, copies in Box 1, Work deal primarily with production of human food near to the 1, Vol. 13 (1927). 517-20. Speech File (copy of the latter speech also in Box 3, place of consumption is sound. The farmer's place in con- e secretary were: "Have Work Papers). Work's ideas were also made public in servation is fundamental. All branches of human industry ght." Magazine of Wall "Reclaiming Reclamation: The Government's New Irri- eventually trace back to the ground. ca Has Reason to Be gation Plan," Country Gentleman, Vol. 89 (Aug. 30, ol. 14 (November, 1926), 1924), 8, 26-27, and Elwood Mead, "Present Policy of the alth." Nation's Business, Work's efforts in behalf of reclamation and United States Bureau of Reclamation Regarding Land Settlement," Proceedings of the American Society of Civil conservation were somewhat offset by Coolidge's of this whole subject is Engineers, Vol. 52 (1926), 411-15. The Fact Finders report vation Policy, 1921-1933 desire for small government expenditures. While does not deal at length was Federal Reclamation by Irrigation (Washington, D.C., increased concern about 1924); see also Federal Irrigation Projects (Washington, interested in the development of water resources D.C., 1926). Another interesting document is Conference h Swain contends came and reclamation, Coolidge was worried about the man such as Work as on Reclamation and Land Settlement (Washington, D.C., 1926). expense of such programs. The most important btful that the movement single project of this period was the development Swain shows that it was. 28 Work to Coolidge, July 22, 1925, Case File 6, Coolidge Papers. Forum, March 24. 1927. of the Colorado River Basin, which Secretary of 29 Work to the Conference on Reclamation and Land b, San Francisco, March Settlement, Washington, D.C., Dec. 14, 1925, copy in Box 1, Commerce Herbert Hoover was more responsible Speech File (also in Box Work Speech File (also in Box 3, Work Papers). for, but which Work of course vigorously sup- 30 The best account of Coolidge's attitude toward con- a speech to the Ameri- ported. Coolidge backed the Colorado River servation, particularly as it resulted from his general Aug. 13, 1923, a copy of philosophy of government, is in Donald McCoy, Calvin project, and while some charged that his interest aterial about the contro- Coolidge: The Quiet President (New York 1967). There was only political, nonetheless the project was File. is much material about Work's efforts for the development Tentative Policy of the of the Colorado River Basin in Boxes 5 and 6, Work Papers. authorized during his term. For a more extensive rtment of the Interior, One indication of the advances in reclamation is shown reclamation and water-development program, File. by the fact that the number of irrigated farms in seventeen 4, 1924, Box 3. Work the country had to wait until Hoover became western states increased from 215,152 to 258,463 between 16, 1924, Case 6. 1920 and 1930. See Historical Statistics, Abstract Supple- President, but Work certainly pointed the De- File ment, 240. partment of the Interior in the right direction.30 `HWEST QUARTERLY JANUARY 1970 37 DURING WORK'S YEARS as secretary of the interior, servation, he was also aware of the need At the to two other matters of intensive conservation preserve scenic resources and displayed much park syst activity concerned the public grazing lands and interest in the national park system. During his that the oil deposits in the United States. Stock grazing term, and with his encouragement, the idea that the mor on the public domain had become a serious the parks were essentially a concern of the West to obtait problem by the 1920's, and Work was quick to changed: the East was included to a greater things o point this out. He wrote to Coolidge in 1924 extent in the system. Work gave much support understa that unauthorized and unrestricted grazing was the National Park Service, then still in its infancy. the sche destroying the public domain. He complained Early in 1924 he wrote to Senator Duncan dren. that his department had introduced a bill into Fletcher of Florida that the system was "made There Congress (Senate Resolution 2325, which would up of areas enclosing scenery of quality so claims, control public-land grazing) only to have the unusual and impressive, or natural features so tion of Department of Agriculture lobby against it. extraordinary as to possess national interest." waters a Agriculture contended that it should control Size was not important, he noted, but the area cures" 1 grazing, although Interior was responsible for had to be susceptible to development "to make governn public lands. To Work this seemed to be a most it accessible to the people, and of convenient I do not inefficient plan. administration and control."3 Once established, the publ Secretary Work spoke publicly about the need these areas had to be fraud if for legislation such as S.R. 2325. In a letter read exploited conserved in their natural state, untouched by the inroads to the annual convention of the National Wool of modern civilization so that coming generations, as Anot Growers Association, held in 1925 at San Fran- well as the people of our own time, may be assured their cisco, the secretary again emphasized the need use for the purposes of recreation, education, and scientific display for control. He appealed to stock raisers to help research. 36 human one age "the important and permanent preservation of Work favored making these areas accessible, but such re pasturage on the public domain, which would no more, a position most conservationists ac- For m otherwise soon disappear." He urged stockmen cepted. handlin to support S.R. 2325 and pointed out that it was a common-sense bill. He stressed the importance 31 Work to Coolidge, Nov. 22. 1924, Case File 6. Speech 38 of cooperation, which would result Coolidge Papers. Wo 32 Work to F. R. Marshall, secretary of the National Office F in mutual benefit to the stockmen and the Department, Wool Growers Association, Jan. 9, 1925, Box 2, Work the Nat and insure to the stockmen a stability for the indus- Office File. about W try, the necessity for which is becoming more and more 33 Work, "Public Lands," speech delivered before the for exan Western States Convention, Denver, Sept. 20. 1926, copy Work apparent each year. in Box I, Work Speech File (also in Box 3, Work Papers): Hubert Work, "Our Public Lands Question," Research Work continued his campaign both in speeches Mining Congress Journal, Vol. 12 (1926), 706-708, 762. (Baltimo and publications, but success eluded him. Al- 34 Work at Opening of Public Hearings Before Federal displaye Oil Conservation Board, Washington. D.C., Feb. 10, 1926, ton, D. though he failed in this venture, the Department copy in Box I, and speech of the chairman of the ington. Federal Oil Conservation Board to Committee of Oil ment () of the Interior did gain control of the public Company Executives, Washington, D.C., May 23, 1927, seconda domain and its grazing aspects with the Taylor copy in Box 2, Work Speech File (copy of the latter of Indi: Grazing Act of 1934, and Work must be given speech also in Box 3, Work Papers). Another of Work's for Ind credit for increasing public awareness of the speeches was published under the title View on Con- 331-54, servation of Oil: Address before the Mineral Law and Oti problem.3 Section, American Bar Association, at Buffalo, August 1959), (Norma Secretary Work also helped to establish the 30, 1927 (Chicago, 1927). Box 8, Work Papers, contains material on the Federal Oil Conservation Board and on Federal Oil Conservation Board and served as Work's activities with this board. Box 10, Work Papers, Indian its chairman. Other members were the secretaries contains more documentation on oil. Box 17, Work Box ] of commerce, war, and the navy. This board, Papers, contains much material on the controversial Salt Creek Royalty Oil Contract, which for a time threatened Office created no doubt as a result of the controversy 42 to become another Teapot Dome scandal. following the Teapot Dome scandals, encouraged 35 Work to Senator Duncan Fletcher, Jan. 14, 1924, Haskel Box 2. Work Office File. The number of national parks, in Box cooperation between government and the oil Two monuments, and allied areas increased during Work's term industry, strove for improved practices, sought as secretary of the interior from seventy-one in 1923 to "Our ninety-two in 1928, the number of acres from 8,790,000 in 196 discoveries of resources, and solved the long- 1923 to 10,359,000 in 1928, and the number of visits from Man, standing question of ownership of mineral de- 1,494,000 in 1923 to 3,025,000 in 1928. See Historical posits on school lands of the public domain. It Statistics, Abstract Supplement, 222. ruled that with certain restrictions such deposits 36 Work to Fletcher, Jan. 14. 1924. Box 2, Work Office of File. were the property of the state. 34 37 Work to Fifth National Conference on State Parks, While Work was involved in promoting con- Skyland, Virginia, May 25. 1925, copy in Box 1, Work Box PACIFIC NORTHWEST QUARTERLY JANU 38 are of the need to At the same time, Work hoped that the state and from the beginning Work displayed sym- and displayed much park systems would expand, because he believed pathy with and interest in the plans of reformers. k system. During his that the larger the outdoor movement became, Characteristically, he began his activities with gement, the idea that the more opportunities Americans would have administrative changes. He rebuilt the bureau concern of the West to obtain "momentary glimpses of the simpler from top to bottom, dividing it into three cluded to a greater things of life, to increase our appreciation and branches: finance, health, and routine field gave much support to understanding of Nature, to bring us closer to services. He stressed benefits to the Indians, en still in its infancy. the scheme of creation and educate our chil- expanded health activities, initiated a survey to Senator Duncan dren." of the irrigation and reclamation of Indian e system was "made There had to be guarantees against fraudulent lands, and requested that a private concern-the enery of quality so claims, he said, and he called for an appropria- Institute for Government Research-recommend r natural features so tion of $25,000 to test the medicinal values of the changes in Indian policy. S national interest." waters at Hot Springs, Arkansas, because "water While the report of the Institute for Govern- : noted, but the area cures" had been advertised. He questioned the ment Research was completed too late for Work evelopment "to make government's part in the Hot Springs venture: to do much about it before he left office, he 3, and of convenient I do not believe the Government should treat disease for had anticipated most of the recommendations "35 Once established, the public, and it certainly should not lend itself to a in the report. He believed that the department fraud if it should be developed that these waters are being had to redress wrongs done to the Indians by the exploited without foundation in fact.³8 white men. He understood from the beginning untouched by the inroads that there could be no one Indian policy because, coming generations, as Another aspect of conservation in which Work me, may be assured their as he noted in a speech in 1923, "The various 1, education, and scientific displayed much interest was the conservation of tribes with their environments differ as much in human resources, particularly in relation to the their characteristics and languages as the nations one agency of his department to be charged with : such responsibility: the Bureau of Indian Affairs. of Europe and [are] no more amenable to a areas accessible, but For many years reforms in the government's common policy of administrative government." conservationists ac- He pointed out that there were two schools of handling of Indian affairs had been advocated, thought regarding the Indian: some proposed 22. 1924, Case File 6, Speech File (also in Box 3, Work Papers). that he should be left alone, while others wanted 38 Work to H. M. Lord, May 20, 1924, Box 2, Work to "educate, Christianize and Americanize him." secretary of the National Office File. Robert Sterling Yard, executive secretary of 9, 1925, Box 2, Work the National Parks Association, was very complimentary Work favored neither policy. He called for de- about Work's efforts in behalf of the national parks. See, centralization of many bureau activities in order ech delivered before the for example, Yard to Coolidge, Dec. 4, 1924, copy in Box to permit those most familiar with local condi- iver, Sept. 20, 1926, copy 2, Work Office File. (also in Box 3, Work 39 The resulting report of the Institute for Government tions to decide policies in cooperation with the Public Lands Question," Research was The Problem of Indian Administration local Indians.40 12 (1926), 706-708, 762. (Baltimore, 1928). Work's interest in Indian affairs is One thing Work was sure of: Hearings Before Federal displayed in pamphlets such as Indian Policies (Washing- gton, D.C., Feb. 10, 1926. ton, D.C., 1924), Indian Affairs in Oklahoma (Wash- We cannot legislate the Indian into the White Man's of the chairman of the ington, D.C., 1925), and Medical Work of the Depart- ways, nor train his footsteps by bureaucratic administra- d to Committee of Oil ment of the Interior (Washington, D.C., 1927). Good tion of his affairs, alone. His future well-being lies in his on, D.C., May 23, 1927. secondary accounts of the movement to reform the Bureau ability to become a member of the civilized structure of File (copy of the latter of Indian Affairs are Randolph C. Downes, "A Crusade society which the times has built up around him.41 pers). Another of Work's for Indian Reform, 1922-1934," MVHR, Vol. 32 (1945), the title View on Con- 331-54, D'Arcy McNickle and Harold E. Fey, Indians Education was important. "Amalgamation" was fore the Mineral Law and Other Americans: Two Ways of Life Meet (New York, tion, at Buffalo, August 1959), and Oliver LaFarge, ed., The Changing Indian a word the secretary stressed. The "problem of 3, Work Papers, contains (Norman, 1942). the Indian is to adapt himself to an artificial inservation Board and on Work to the Advisory Council of One Hundred on d. Box 10, Work Papers, Indian Affairs, Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 1923, copy in environment new to him," while keeping the on oil. Box 17, Work Box Work Speech File. best aspects of his own.42 In this area, Work on the controversial Salt Work to E. J. Reynolds, Oct. 22, 1925, Box 1, Work represented transition. He made progress, but a ich for a time threatened Office File. e scandal. 42 Work at the dedication of the Athletic Stadium at more complete departure from the old Indian Fletcher, Jan. 14, 1924, Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas, Oct. 30, 1926, copy policy would have to await the New Deal and the umber of national parks, in Box 2, Work Speech File (also in Box 3, Work Papers). Wheeler-Howard Act. eased during Work's term Two published pronouncements of the secretary were n seventy-one in 1923 to "Our American Indians," Saturday Evening Post, Vol. All the while Work preserved his political of acres from 8,790,000 in 196 (May 31, 1924), 27, 92 ff., and "Assimilating the Red position. He had good relations with the White the number of visits from Man," General Magazine and Historical Chronicle (Jan- in 1928. See Historical uary, 1926). House: he was fond of Harding, got on well 222. 43 See, for example, the copies of Work's Lincoln Day with Harding's successor, and became an impor- 1924, Box 2, Work Office speeches of Feb. 12, 1925, and 1926, and copies of speeches tant member of the Coolidge cabinet. He fre- of Oct. 22, 26, and 29, 1926, Box 2, Work Speech File and onference on State Parks, Case File 6, Coolidge Papers (October speeches also in quently went out stumping to carry the Republi- 5, copy in Box 1. Work Box 3, Work Papers). can message. 43 THWEST QUARTERLY JANUARY 1970 39 But by mid-1928 Work was nearly sixty-eight things-control of the United States years old; he was tired of public life, felt that Wood's career took him almost to the Presidence he had done his share, and longed to return to of the United States-he lost out to Harding medicine. He resigned in July, 1928, and was 1920 during the nominating convention in Chi- succeeded by Roy Owen West. President Coolidge cago. President Hoover appointed another medi wrote Work a long letter-at least by Coolidge's cal doctor, Ray Lyman Wilbur, as secretary standards-which included more than the usual the interior. Perhaps medicine, dealing as it pleasantries. He indicated that Work's conduct with individuals, leads naturally to politics. in office had always been "exceedingly satisfac- although one must add that the requirements tory," and he told the secretary that he had a mid-20th-century medicine are SO complicated right to much satisfaction from his contribution that the public may look with increasing concern Y to public affairs: "I also wish to add my appre- at nonmedical activities of physicians. ciation of your constant and unfailing considera- In another era, Hubert Work was able to tion toward me personally and your loyal coop- enjoy importance in a public career. Although S eration in carrying out the policies of the admin- his background was medicine, he could advocate istration. "44 the efficiency of business. Although he had no Work undertook one more public service be- professional training in public relations-and big fore he returned to Colorado. During the years could have none, given the lack of professionals flas from 1921 to 1928, Herbert Hoover, then secre- in his time-he succeeded in bringing the De wa tary of commerce, had grown to respect Work. partment of the Interior back into public favor. The two became friends and frequently lunched He understood conservation of natural resources, WO together. Believing that Hoover was the best in part perhaps because as a doctor he had been rhe qualified man to continue the Harding-Coolidge accustomed to the conservation of individuals, policies, Work became one of the leaders of the In his high office he proved a fit predecessor to movement to win the Republican nomination a later secretary, Harold L. Ickes, who from 1933 blai for Hoover. Following the convention, Hoover to 1946 would ensure the national interest in the beli projects which Hubert Work had begun. any appointed Work as chairman of the Republican any National Committee.45 tha After November, 1928, Work returned to Colorado, where he practiced medicine. He 44 Work to Coolidge. June 29. 1928. and Cooli e to Th remained interested, though not active, in politics, Work, July 24. 1928. Case File 26. Coolidge Par S. In sur Box 6. Work Papers, there is a collection of Work-C lidge suffering through Hoover's difficulties during the letters covering the period 1923-26 and indicating the an depression and probably expressing horror at the warm relationship between the two men. Box 12, Work As Papers. has material which indicates Work's efforts as growth of bureaucracy during the New Deal. But Am early as August. 1923. to assure Coolidge the Republican surely he must have viewed with gratification the nomination of 1924. tryi improved reputation and the successes of the 45 There is much material on Work's efforts in the me: 1928 election. Two contemporary, and biased. accounts of Department of the Interior. He died on Decem- are R. Kevin Moore, Hubert Work: Word-Portrait of per ber 14, 1942. the Man Who Will Conduct the Hoover-Curtis Cam- far It was quite a career, if one considers Work's paign, Reprinted by Permission of the Author So That the American Public May Know Intimately the Chair- beginnings as an obscure doctor practicing medi- man of the Republican National Committee (n.p., 1928), cine from the late 1880's until the time of the and Edward Rochester, Coolidge-Hoover-Work: An Id: Intimate Review of an Epochal National umpaign for First World War. His rise to national prominence the Presidency of the United States (Washington, D.C., pa was slow. But each step in politics ensured the 1929). The Work Papers are a must for anyone studying the next, until at last he was appointed to a leading the 1928 election. Box 8 contains copies of the speeches Pr Work gave during the 1928 campaign, as well as material cabinet post. tiv from his activities with the Republican National Com- Work's service to the government of the United mittee. Box 12 contains a file of correspondence between m: States was in the great tradition of doctors of Work and John J. Raskob. chairman of the Democratic joi National Committee, concerning conflict over statements medicine who have moved beyond their routines tic made by both candidates in the 1928 election. Boxes into the business of public affairs. Before World 14 and 15 contain the secretary's political correspondence ar from 1927 and 1928 relating to Work's efforts in behalf War I, two medical doctors, Fred C. Ainsworth of Hoover's candidacy and include one file on "Inception of and Leonard Wood, had fought for-of all of Movement for Nomination of Herbert Hoover. po F. Un on pos 40 PACIFIC NORTHWEST QUARTERLY JA: