The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-07-07

A MAN NOBODY KNOWS
Half People the United States
But They Hardly His Name
lBY ROY ]. GIBRONSl

Chicago, July inca A)--Samuel
1nsull-A Man Nobody Knows. That
is the title, somewhat jocose, which
Chicagoans have tackled on to their
wealthy public utilities
magnate.
insult detcsts personal publicity,
so much SO that, although he con-
trolls almost two billions dollars
worth Of public utilities, the general
public had hardly heard Of him un-
til he sprang into front page prom
inence year ago by defying the
senate slush fund Investigating COM
mittcc.
But his known life story is
worth telling.
He was born in small hamlet
near London 66 years ago. At Ii
he was compelled by poverty to quit
school and 90 to work. His first job
AS an office boy-paid him $l.25 IA
week.
Extremely Wealthy
Now he is the richest public utili-
ties baron in America. In the field
of gas, electricity and traction his
name means what Ford's means in
the auto world. So rich is he that
he thought nothing of dumping $751;
900 into the laps of Illinois politi-
clans during the recent primary.
1t was these contributions that
brought him under the survey of the
senate committee. Only after he had
been threatened with Jail for con-
tempt did insult tell any details of
his gifts, the bulk of which had gone
to Frank l.. Smith, senatorial candi-
date.
These committee tilts made Insults
name familiar to people who nd never
heard of him before. Millions of
these people contribute to Insults
wealth every time they take a street
car ride, turn on the light or cook
a NEAL but insult was and is an
unknown quantity to them.
insults rise to riches and power
Began With Edison
Thomas f. Edison's London repre-
sentative had been instructed to look
for good secretary for the electric
al wizard. He thought young insult
showed promise, and sent him over.
insults career began the moment he
boarded the liner for America.
insult entered the electrical field
at the right time. Electricity as a
commercial factor was in its in
fancy. Insults assocition with Edil
son showed him that it held vast pos
sibilities. Able and Industrious, he
advanced until he was handling the
entire sales end of Edison's business;
assume the presidency Of the Com
Nno al hnS
struggling concern with poor past
and a dubious future.
insult got busy on it. The COM
pany began to prosper. 1t is still
prospering. insult is still guiding it's
destinies.
A few years later the Chicago Gas
company was about to fail. insult
was called on to save the wreckage.
He did SO, capably, started selling
gas and electricity ut the same time
and proved that the two commodi-
ties were not opposed to each other,
as previously had been supposed.
All Chicago Utilities
Today almost all the gas and
Insults companies. In addition, its
Ss1SSs IouWoJo, clcSuteu IucS anu
bus companies have Just passed into
his hands. Every major public util-
ity in the city, with the single ex-
ception Of the telephone system, is
IN insult property.
But Chicago is not the only center
OF Insults activities. His properties
are scattered over half the country.
Many middle western city and town
is dependent wholly on insult for its
power, its light and its transporta-
tion.
insult has Stunned personal pub
ltcity through it all. News photog-
raphers in Chicago long ago de-
SPARED Of getting pictures of him
after repeatedly rousing him to a
fury by their efforts to snap him.
The people who arc his customers
know him only as name.
Married an Actress
At 40 insult married Margaret
Bird, an actress whose stage name
was Gladys Wallis. They have one
son, Samuel, Jr., who is an officer in
many Of his fathers companies.
Mrs. insult has returned to the
stage in private theatricals, managed
by herself. The latest of these ven
lures failed after insult had leased
an entire theatre here for her
benefit. insult. incidentally, is known
as patron Of the arts, supervising
annually the raising Of $5O0,00O
fund to. finance the Civic Opera.
But of himself the public knows
little. Half of the citizens in the
country are his customers; but In
sull remains. nevertheless, what ir-
reverent Chicagoans call him-the