, but his disappointment was somewhat
mollified by the fact that Mr. Root was not asked to take the post.

Mr. Knox prefers to look upon Mr. Root as a lucky lawyer who has
taken to himself much of the credit of John Hay's great work. He
shows an even less regard for Mr. Lodge's talents. And he is
doubtful of Mr. Hughes.

His attitude towards the Secretary of State dates back to the
insurance scandals. At that time Mr. Frick asked Mr. Knox to make
an investigation and suggest a course of action to avert a national
disaster. This Mr. Knox did in his thorough and painstaking way. A
little later, when Mr. Hughes was appointed to make a public
inquiry, the Knox report was laid before him, and according to the
author of it, he followed precisely the lines therein indicated
creating for himself a national reputation and laying the
foundation of a public career. Credit was not given Mr. Knox. It
has been suggested that the incident might have been an
illustration of two great minds seeking the same channel. Mr. Knox
does not think so.

In spite of his disappointments and failures, the dignified little
Senator from Pennsylvania who has been so many times on the verge
of greatness, seems to think that he could have done just a little
better than any of those who have achieved it, had circumstance
given him the opportunity. Perhaps he might. It is a compliment
that few men merit to be called merely indifferent.

ROBERT LANSING

He who believes in luck should study the career of Robert Lansing.
Mr. Lansing probably thinks that the goddess of chance played him a
scurvy trick, after having admitted him to the Olympian heights, to
break him as suddenly as she made him.

Robert Lansing's real misfortune was not knowing how to play his
luck. It is curious the fear men have of death. The former
Secretary of State's only hope of immortality was to commit
political suicide, and he lacked the courage or the vision to fall
upon his sword.

When Woodrow Wilson was elected President for the first time he
appointed Mr. Bryan Secretary of State. The opinion Mr. Wilson
entertained of Mr. Bryan we all know. Mr. Wilson was not given to
letting his thoughts run wild, but on one occasion, with pen in
hand, he permitted himself the luxury of saying what he thought and
expressed the pious hope that somebody would knock the distinguished
Nebraskan into a cocked hat and thus dispose of the perpetual
candidate who was the Old Man of the