At the 1920 Republican National Convention , Knox was considered a potential compromise candidate who could unite the progressive and conservative factions of the party . Many thought that California Senator Hiram Johnson would release his delegates to back his friend Knox , but Johnson never did . Warren G. Harding instead emerged as the compromise candidate , and Harding went on to win the 1920 election . After the election , Knox urged President Harding to consider Andrew Mellon for the position of Secretary of the Treasury , and Mellon ultimately took the position
1920 Republican National Convention
1920 Republican National Convention
Philander C. Knox