The Washington herald., 1914-06-17
HISTORY BUILDERS.
How Russell sase Avoided Commit
ting Himself.
twfiften exprsssly fof 1hs HNaidj
BY Du. K. J. EDWARDS.

WHITES expresaly for 1hs H<Taidt
by DR. T.. J. EDWARDS.
Several years before the late whitelaw
Reid became Ambassador from the Unit
ed States to the Court Of st. James. he
decided to have carefully prepared bios-
raphies OF some Of the leading men Of af-
fairs then living written by those who
had literary ability and who were other
wise competent for this, work. with q
view toward the publication of these
studies In the New York Tribune.
Among the biographies which Mr.. Reid
was especially anxious to procure was
an authoritative one Of Russell Sage. 1t
was, however, regarded as very doubtful
whether Mr.. Sage could be persuaded to
narrate the important facts associated
with his career, since 1t was presumed
that he was utterly Indifferent to noto-
riety of that kind.
However, 1t was deemed expedient to
call upon Mr.. Sage so that 1t could be
learned from him whether or not he
would aid in the preparation of this
biography.
A man of literary accomplishments and
of considerable experience did call upon
Mr.. Sage, although In great doubt as to
the proposition. He was pleased and as
tonished to learn that r. Sage gave a
most attentive ear to Mr.. Reds plan
and was seemingly not only willing but
very anxious to have the essential facts
of his career authoritatively set forth.
He devoted considerable time TO the
biographer. narrating. apparently with
great interest, some facts of his life and
expressing delight over the opportunity
passed out of his recollection.
In due time the biography was fin
ished and was submitted to Mr.. Sage. He
asked to have 1t read over to him. He
leaned back in his chair, listening intent
ly with half-closed eyes and evidently
desiring not to have his attention dis
tracted in any way. occasionally nodding
his head in approval.
At last the biographer said to him:
Mr.. Sage. I am now coming to a rather
delicate matter. or course. you are
known. as a man Of great wealth. and I
have stated in the paragraph which re-
fers to your accumulations that you are
generally believed by those who have
had some opportunity to know some
thing Of your wealth to have accumulated
about So 900. Do you object to that
statement being made? Would you like
to change II in any way?"
Mr.. Sage pursed his lips and seemed to
be meditating as though making a men,
tai estimate OF the approximate value
OF his accumulations. At last he assumed
characteristic pose. He touched the
finger and thumb Of one hand with the
finger and thumb of the other. a manner
| ism which those who had business asso-
citation with him had observed was a
constant habit Of his.
Then he began to rub his hands togeth-
er gently. another characteristic of Mr..
Sage when he was considering important
business propositions At last he said.
permitting at the same time a gentle
smile to play upon his lips. as though he
were pleased with the thought he was
about to express:
mo, do not say s7o.ooo.ooo Say. in.
stead. many, many millions" Once more
he repeated that expression. and the
tone of his voice and his manner were
those of a man who rejoiced in the sense
of accumulation. Again he said, Make
! II many millions" still rubbing the palms
of his hands together and maintaining a
| satisfied smile which came to his fea-
lures as he began to think OF the great
fortune which he had accumulated. II
was a hashlight revelation of the funda-
mental characteristic OF Russell Sage. bu,
| It was also a cause Of astonishment that
| he should himself have been willing tc
| ask that 1t be said OF him that he had
! accumulated many millions
| Copyright. lsIi. by Dr. T. ]. Edwards. All night.
| reserved.D
| Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell oi
| Senator Vance and His Old-age The
| ory"