Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-30

PITTSBURG, PA, January 29.-EVer
since the arrival Of Mr.. Andrew Car.
negie from Europe, he has been be-
sieged by newspaper men for an express
sion upon the recent troubles at Home
stead, but he steadfastly refused to be
interviewed. In conversation with the
correspondent Of the Associated Press
this afternoon, however, Mr.. Carnegie
talked freely on the subject.
81 did not come to Plttsburg," said
ne, "to rake up, but to try to bury, the
the past, of which 1 knew nothing.
That is beyond recall; it should be ban
ished as horrid dream, and only the
lessons that it teaches laid to heart for
the future. For twenty-six years our
concerns have run with only one labor
stoppage at one of its numerous works,
and | trust and believe that even this
record will be fully equaled In the
twenty-five years to come. When en-
poyer and employed become antago-
nistic, each considering the other Its
enemy, II is contest between twin
brothers. There is no genuine victory
possible for either, but defeat for both
capital and labor. desire now, once
for all, to make one point clear. Four
year ago
RETIRED FROM ACTIVE BUSINESS;
no consideration in the world would In
duce me to return to it; great error OF
our countrymen is that they endure the
harrassing cares incident to business
until they break down in the harness,
when they should DO in their prime,
and die, still striving for dollars. l be-
leve in retiring betime and giving
younger men chance. l have sold
portions of my interests and am gradu-
ally selling more to such young men in
our service as my partners find possessed
of exceptional ability, and desire to In
terest In the business. l am not an
officer in the company, but only share
holder.
''To the numerous appeals which /
have received urging me to give in
structlons in regard to recent troubles,
l have paid nc attention, but to all
these people, and TO many others inter-
ested in the subject, let me now say
that l have not power to instruct any
body 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 change |
should be powerless TO do so. The law
under which the company is chartered
requires a majority, not only in interest
but in number, of shareholders TO effect
a change. II 1 desired TO replace the
present officers, therefore, it would be
necessary for me to obtain majority OF
the shareholders, and also seven mem
bers willing to act as their successors. l
COULD NOT FIND ONE
shareholder 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 l could and this provls-
ion which has always been a feature in
our partnership, l think is only fair to
those l could otherwise out-vote.
When / could not bring my associates
in business to my views by reason, L
have never wished to do so by force.
As for :nstructing or compell-
ing them under the law to do one
thing or another is simply absurd. l
could not do II il would and l would
not do 1t II could.
II am still holder OF a majority OF
the Carnegie Steel Company, Limited;
never having changed my policy OF
concentration. / made my first dollar
In Pittsburg and / expect to make my
last one here, and as as long as my
Young partners are willing, or desire
my capital to remain 10 the business, 1t
shall so remain, and they shall always
have my best advice when asked gratis.
WILL RETAIN CONTROL.
81 expect to retain my capital In the
manufacturing business l have helped
to build I'D, because have, and always
must have, great pride In it, and for the
further reason that my capital is thus
made the direct employer OF labor; 1t
furnishes many men with steady work
at good wages. l do not know any form
Of philanthropy so beneficial as this.
There is no charity In 1t. have not
taken money out Of the business for In
yestment in outside things. / never In
tend to do so, and since l retired from
business four years ago, when money
has come to me beyond that required
for living expenses. it has been devoted
70 public uses. ! have boarded moth
ing. and shall never accumulate
money. | shall not die rich
apart from my interest in the business
which may sill be held a. my death.
Much has been said about my fortune.
l have plenty only IL the works in Pitts
burg are prosperous; unless they are, l
have nothing and that Is how expect To
stand. all my eggs are In one basket,
right here in Western Pennsylvania.
take NV chances with my partners, and
| have the satisfaction Of knowing that
the FIRST charge Upon every dollar OF
nv capital is still the payment Of the
highest earnings paid to labor In any
part OF the world for similar service.
Upou that record l am proud to stand.
PRAISE FOR FRICK.
"And now, one word about Mr..
Frick, whom 1 recommend to the Car.
negie Steel Company, Limited. as Us
Chairman. and my successor, four years
ago. an not mistaken in the man, a.
the future viii show. OF his ability