Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-17

no more sensational than a safe deposit
vault. lie has never coined but one phrase.
or, more precisely, given a new application
TO an old phrase, that has met with tenn
poraTy but widespread popularity. After
the Northern Securities case had been de-
ctded in favor Of the government capital
was alarmed, and the then attorney gen
eral promised that the Department Of Jus
tice would not run amuck" against great
corporations. The phrase was quickly
caught up and had its brief day. but was
presently overshadowed by the fresh coin
age from the White House mint.
A Famous Case.
Perhaps the most important accomplish
ment OF Mr.. Knox's administration of the
Department of Justice was his victory in
the Northern Securities case. The North
ern Securities company was a corporation
with an authorized capital Of S4OO,OOO,0O,
organized for the purpose Of taking over
the capital stock OF the Northern Pacific
and Great Northern railroads, two com
peting lines, and in effect merging them.
The promoters believed that by means Of
this holding company they could accom-
plish what the law forbids. a combination
vi w competing lnltTHldlt IfllIOduS III c
straint Of trade.
Attorney General Knox caused a suit to
be filed against the Northern Securities
company, the two railway companies and
their controlling stockholders, for the pur-
pose of dissolving the merger. The gov
eminent won it's case in the United States
circuit court. but under the old order of
things the defendants could have appealed
and postponed a final hearing indefinitely.
Mr.. Knox, however. had prepared for this
contingency He had secured the passage
through congress of an act allowing but
sixty days in which to take an appeal to
the United States supreme court, and also
providing that in cases Of this character,
where the public interest is great, hearing
shall be expedited. and a final decision
speedily reached. The case was appealed
and it was argued before the supreme
court for the government by Mr.. Knox per
sonally. On March Il. 1904, the court
handed down its opinion, sustaining In
every particular the contention of the gov
eminent.
Pot Luck.
Back in 1902, when President Roosevelt
v as touring New England, Knox became a
n ember of the party for a short time. One
| night he sat in the presidential car until
about 9 o'clock, and then, giving an imita-
tiCn of a tired and sleepy statesman. re-
marked that he thought that he would re-
tire. The president said goodnight. and
Krox drifted back to the cafe car, where
half a dozen newspaper correspondents sat
playing Jack pots" Five minutes later
the attorney general, with his coat off and
his sleeves rolled up, ives Sitting in the
game.
In about half an hour a good sized pot
accumulated in the center OF the table
and the betting became warm. One after
another of the players dropped out, until,
finally, Knox and one correspondent were
pitted against each other.
They went at 1t grimly, coming back
at each other for five or ten times. Knox's
face was like the death mask of Napoleon
in the Invalides. The correspondent gazed
and gazed, as though fascinated, and
finally, with a despairing movement, threw
down his hand, leaving the pot to the
attorney general.
Just to satisfy a curiosity, what had
your asked one of the correspondents.
Look at it." was the reply Of the loser,
Three fives were disclosed in the dis
carded hand.
And you, Mr.. Knox?"
Without the movement of a muscle of his
face, Knox turned his cards upward-two
sevens. "rH
But watt! 1t was half an hour later.
Another good pot; lively betting; Knox and
another correspondent pitted against each
other. and the same Knoxian .countenance
marble, immovable. The correspondent
became aggressive and raised Knox again
and again; back and forth went the bat
tie. Finally, the correspondent smiled.
What's the use2" he said. This is
merely n friendly game. I suppose you're
bluffing again, Mr.. Attorney General, but
I'll just call you"
He laid down a 'straight'-jack to seven
and Knox, without the flicker OF an eye
lid, laid down a king high full house"
stock stories.
The best true story told about Knox
concerns a fee he received in the In
dianapolis street railway franchise case.