Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-04-07
BY
WALDO PONDRAY WARREN

respondents got busy. If Senator Knox
ook such an interest in the case, the
appointment must be for one Of the
biggest Offices In the presidents gift.
Late in the afternoon they got an
audience with Private Secretary Loeb.
Appointment" he said, with puz-
zled air. ooh, yes, remember. 1t
was an appointment for the president
to speak in Philadelphia. Why, what's
the matter?'
And to this day those reporters won
Ter if it was a practical joke on the
part Of Knox.
Spoiled Surprise.
While Senator Knox is the soul Of
discretion in his business and public
life, Mrs. Knox asserts that he cannot
keep secret in his own family. 1t was
planned to surprise Philander Junior
with a pianola on Christmas. The elder
Philander, however, met the boy and
in searching about for news that would
please his little chum fell on the p-
anola. So when Mrs. Knox was ready
to spring the surprise Philander Junior
remarked gleefully:
| "Oh, yes, know-the pianola."
| Mrs. Knox looked at her husband.
but he was extremely busy with the
morning paper.
| Senator Knox has fad of buying
rare editions and old prints Mrs. Knox,
| hearing of an auction where some
| books she knew he would want were
on sale. decided to surprise him, as
the senator had to leave the city the
day before the auction came off, When
she began bidding on her choice edi-
lions. she found one persistent bidder
in the field. After running the prices
up to four or five times what they
should be she was reluctantly forced
to quit the field.
"Who got those editions on which l
was bidding?" she asked the auctioneer
after the sale.
Senator Knox" was the reply, and
he was surprised to see the lady almost
faint
7 1t was true. Knox had his repre-
sentative at the sale, and Mrs. Knox
in bidding up prices had put him out
of pocket several hundred dollars.
II never did like surprises" remark
ed the senator when he heard of it.
Recipient of Big Fees.
Before becoming attorney general
Mr.. Knox was counsel for the Carnegie
company at Pittsburg. He scarcely
ever appeared in court, but earned
enormous fees as consulting attor.
ney. he was retained once In an In
dianapolis street car case and as he
did not wish to appear put his fee al
what he thought would be prohibitive
figure. It was paid without word
however. The associate counsel in the
case was ex-President Benjamin Har
rison. Out Of sense of courtesy Knox
offered to divide the fee, but Harrison
refused. After winning the case Knox
asked the former president what be
got twenty-five thousand dollars
said Harrison, with some pride. "What
did they give your Zone hundred
and twenty-five thousand dollars" an
swered Knox.
At another time Mr.. Knox wished t.
make trip to Egypt, but was asked tt
take certain case that would make
the trip impossible. Again he placed
the fee at what he thought was 9
prohibitive figure, but again his terms
were accepted. A friend who heard
Knox's outburst when he found that
his outing to Egypt must be abandoned
said that 1t was the first time he haG
ever heard lawyer swear over receiv
ing big fee.
! Philander Chase Knox was born a,
Brownsville, Pa, in 1853. His father
was warm personal friend of James
G.. Blaine, who was also born II
Brownsville. Young Knox received 6
college education, studied law and was
admitted to the bar at the age OF
1 twenty-five. A year later be was made
] assistant district attorney Of western
/ Pennsylvania. He next formed thu
well known firm of Knox & Reed
/ which probably had the largest cor
poration practice in Pittsburg.
One Of Knox's school friends was
/, William Mckinley, and this fact doubt
less had much to do with making thu
Pennsylvania attorney general in the