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Show EE CDLBY ill II ASJEJL SEGRETARYOFSTATE Reorganization of Department One Big Task Before Lansing's Lans-ing's Successor WASHINGTON. March 23. Bain-bridge Bain-bridge Colby was sworn in today as secretary of" state, succeeding Robert Lansing who resigned six weeks ago. Immediately after Mr. Colby assum-, ed office arrangements were made for resuming the issuing of passports which was stopped ten days ago because be-cause there was no one to sign them. Officials estimated that 2000 applications applica-tions had piled up. The nomination of Bainbridge Colby Col-by as secretary of state was confirmed yesterday by the senate. It was understood that no objection was raised lo confirmation of me nomination, nom-ination, which has been the subject of extended secret hearings by the foreign for-eign relations committee. There was no record vote on confirmation. Several Republican senators who have been. regarded as critics or opponents oppo-nents of Mr. Colby were not present at the session. The first business to receive his attention at-tention will bo the issuance of about four thousand passports that have ac cumulated since Undersecretary of Slate Polk ceased to act as secretary. Reorganization of the departmeut will be another task. There are many vacancies to be filled, and the office of assistant secretary has been vacant since William Phillips was appointed minister to Holland. Undersecretary Polk will resign as soon as possible. Third Assistant Secretary Long, candidate can-didate for the senate from Missouri, also is planning to resign. |