New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-30
A TALK WITH MIR. CARNEGIE
HIS FIRST PUBLIC STATEMENT REGApn,
ING THE HOMESTEAD TROUBLES
PRAISE FOR MR.. FRICK-HE WOULD NOT txrr,y
FERE WITH HIM If HE COULD AYn

FERE WITH HIN If HE COULD AND
COULD NOT IF HE WOULD
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Tltt,burg, Jan. 2J.-Andrew Cnrnecie t,d.r
his first public statement rgar:.,e the I,, ~s
stead strike and management OF that memorahI. 80.
nlct between capital and labor by Henry r r.s
Mr.. carnegie was sem in the DuQuesne Club. n.
took occasion 10 indorse the course pursued BY N,
Frich, and to reiterate the declaration m,do =.
book, Triumphant D,mocracy,- that he viii n,s Az.
wealthy man. lie said that he knew nothing a, A..
strike at Homestead while travelling abroad thu. ~
has had nothing to do with the management ~ Oh
affairs OF the Carnegie steel Company for the I,s, s
years and that he will never again be the active be,A
OF that corporation. Mr. Carnegie SAIL
81 did not come TO Plttsburg to rake up but N r.,
10 bury the past, Of which knew nothing That 4.
beyond recall; 1t should be banished as a horyS
dream ard only the lessons that 1t teaches laid to he,
for the future. For twenty-six years our concs,r.
have with only one labor stOppage at one OF q.
numerous works. and trust and believe that even
this will be fully equallca In the twenty av.
years to COM. When employer and employed becbms
nn,ngonlstic. each considering the other It's enemy "A
Is contest between twin brothers. There Is ma
genuine victory pOibl> for either but defeat for hath
capital and labor desire now, once for all, TO maks
point clear. -Four years ago retired from active
business; 10 consideration In TIN, world would in
duce me 10 return TO It, A great error OF ON,
countrymen Is that they endure the harassng cares
Incident To business until they break down in tn
harness. when they should be in their prime, and d
stll striving for dollars. believe In retiring betimes
and giving younger men a chance. have sold Dor
tons OF my interests and gradually selling more 10
such Young men In our service as my partners fnd
possessed OF exceptional ability, and desire 10 interest
tn, mselves In the business. am lot an officer In the
company but only n shareholder.
ITO the numerous appeals which have received
urging me 10 give Instructions In regard to recent
troubles ! have paid no attention, but TO all these
people and to any others interested In the subject
let me now say, that | have not power 10 instruct
ANYBODY connected with the Carnegie steel Company.
Limited The officers are elected for year, and no one
can interfere with them. Even at the next election,
IL desired to make a change ! should be powerless
10 do So The law under which the company 10
chartered requires majority not only In Interest
but In number, of shareholders 10 effect a change.
IL desired to replace the present officers, therefore,
It Would be necessary for me 10 obtain majority Of
tho shareholders and also seven members willing 10
act as their SUCCESSORS could not find one share.
holder out OF the whole number interested that would
not vote and stand by the present officials. They
will be unanimously reelected. do not believe In
ruling through the voting power even II could and
this provision, which mas always been feature In our
partnerships, ! think is only fair TO those I could
otherwise outvote. When could not bring my asses
dates In busincss my views by reason have never
wished TO do so by force AZ for nsructlng or COM
polling Them under the law, 10 do one thing or an.
oth her. that Is simply absurd could not DO II Il
would and would not 10 il II | could. am still
holder OF a ajority OF tho shares Of the Carnegie
steel Company. Limited, never having changed my
policy OF concentration. made my first dollar IN
Pittsburg, and ] expect 10 make my last one here,
and as long as my Young partners willing, or de-
tbo buc cb1n
remain. ard they shall always have my best advice.
when asked. gratis. elect 10 retain my capital IL
the manufacturing business / have helped 10 build up,
because | have and always must have great pride
thus made the direct employer OF labor; it furnishes
many men with steady work at good wages. 90
ic ben al" as this. There is no charity IN
Il. have not taken money out OF ING
business for Investment In outside things: l
never intended to do and since retired from bus
ness four years ago, when money has come 10 me
'n to- pn Tor have boarded nohs and
'hall never accumulate money. l shall not die rich
,s held at my death. Much has been said about my
fortune. have plenty only II the works IN PttsburS
ire prosperous unless they are, have notnne sna
basket, right here IN Western Pennsylvania. tass
my chances with my partners. and have TIE salts.
action OF knowing that the first charge upon every
ioar OF my capital Is st the payment OF the hlghen
earnings paid to labor III any part OF the world lor
similar services. pom that record am proud 10
stand.
And now one word about Mr.. Frick. whom rec
,mmeuded to the Carnegie steel Company, Limitec'
Is It's chairman and my >sOr, four years ago.
am not mistaken I'm The man. as the future VIII
how. OF his ability. fairness and pluck. no one mas
low the slightest question. His four years manage.
nent stamps him ono OF tho foremost managers
n the world | would not exchange him for any
manager know. PeoIic generally are still 10 learn
4 those virtues which his partners and friends know
veil If hi, health be spared predict nat no man
here will be- better liked more admired by his en-
,oyes than friend and partner. Henry Clay trics
lor do believe any man will b. more valuable Tor
he clty. T.,
II hope that shall be thovchr very wise man IN
nylng retired from the cares business before old
gc sets IN and that tie public will agree that
pcOrd Of forty years OF hard work entities ono 10
eN otto his remaining less eNacting and more
ongenial pursuits We know, however, upon the pest
uthorlty that where the treasure Il, there VIII The
leart be also Well. all my treasure |, here In ana
round Pittsburg. and my heart, wherever go, can
ever De very far or and this ] can most truthfmiy
ay, that OF the chief thoughts OF my life muss
ways be-. how can best repay the ineXtlngnlshapie
eb | 10 the again smoky but sill dear ola
'ttsburg'