The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-03
A MILLIONAIRE SOCIALIST.
Radical Position of Andrew Carnegie Work.
ingmen Must Still Rise in the Future.

PITTsBURG, Jan. PA sensation will be
caused by the publication of an interview with
Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, of the Edgar Thomson
Steel Works and many other industrial estab-
lishments in which he proclams himself So
cialist and an advocate of the adoption Of their
principles. Mr. Carnegie is a millionaire, the
author of several works, and has been glorifed
by William Black, novelist. as the ''Star span
gled Yankee. Mr.. Carnegie recently spoke ia
favor of Socialism at meeting of the Nine
teenth Century Club, in New York, at which
John Swinton was present Swinton. in his
paper proclaimed Carnegie Socialist, and
when Swinton's remarks were shown to Carne-
gle, Willie here, he said:
Eyes, Mr.. Swnton was present at that meet
ing, but he draws things out. But come,
walk with me to the depot and we can talk. l
did speak, as he says of the snobs of this coun-
try and the lords of the other, for the time is
coming when there will be change TO all this.
To an evolutionist and student of history it is
plain that workingmen must rise In the future
as they have in the past Once they were all
serfs and just as sure as they have obtained
the advantages they possess to-day just SO sure
are they to improve still further.
But are you Socialist" was asked.
II believe socialism is the grandest theory
ever presented, and am sure some day it will
rule the world linen we Will nave ootalneu tne
millennium, said Mr.. Carnegie.
you hope that the lion and the lamb will
lie down side by side, all things being equal, and
that profits will. share and share alike2"
THAT is the state we drifting into. Then
men Will be content to work for the general wei
fare and share their riches with their neig hbors,
answered Mr. Carnegie.
Are you prepared nowto divide your wealth.
was asked.
Mr.. Carnegie smiled: No, not at present;
but do not spend much on myself. | give
away every year seven or eight times as much as
] spend for personal comforts and pleasures.
Working people have my full sympathy, and
always extend helping hand. 1 working
man, and in my young days worked in cotton
mill and run an engine. In all my life suppose
l have done more work than any employe have
ever had / believe in advancing worthy en-
ployes, and carry out those ideas ON all occa-
sions, as is witnessed by the young men l have
gathered about Speaking of the present
condition of the workingman, believe coope-
ration is his hope"
Still, Mr.. Carnegie, you have closed down
the Edgar Thomson works, and some people
will wonder how you can hold such principles
and throw your employees into idleness," was
said.
''The workmen are to blame for that"
I'm what reSpectV
'"They allow other Bessemer mills to work at
less wages than we pay. There is the Pennsyl-
vania steel mill at Harrisburg, where they can
make and sell rails at $27 ton. We cannot do
it, and must close rather than manufacture
rails to sell at less than cost l am firm friend
of the Amalgamated Association. and no one
ever heard of me having trouble with it,"
The PittSburg Bessemer Steel Works at
Homestead, in which Mr. Carnegie is interested,
has posted reduction of wages running from
80 to 10 per cent. The works at present are
shut down. About ! 200 men are interested.