The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-30
HEAR WHAT CARNEGIE SAYS
Wants to Danish the Homestead Incl.
dent from His Mind as Horrid Dream.
The Foreign Gentleman Gives Definition of
Philanthropy, and Declares He Will Not
Die Rich in Personal Property.

PITTsBURG. Jan. 2S.-Ever since, the ar
he has been besieged by newspaper men
for an expression upon the recent troubles
at Homestead. but he steadfastly refused
to be interviewed. In conversation this
afternoon, however. Mr.. Carnegie talked
freely on the subject. Il did not come to
PIttsburR" said he. "to rake up. but to
try TO bury the past of which l know
nothing. That is beyond recall. 1t should
be banished as horrd dream, and only
the lessons that it teaches laid to heart for
the future. For twenty-six yeare 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 eaualed in twenty-five years
to come. When employer and employe be-
come antagOnlstic, each considering the
other it's enemy, it is q contest between
twin brothers. There is no genuine VIC
tory possible for either, but defeat for both
capital and labor.
II desire now. once for all. to make one
pom clear. -Four years ago retired from
active business. No consideration In the
world would induce me to return to 1t.
great error of our countrymen Is that they
endure the harasslng cares incident 10
business until they break down in the har-
ness. when they should be in their prime.
and die, still striving for dollars.
KNOWS WHEN he HAS ENOUGH.
81 believe in retiring betimes and giving
younger men a chance. / have sold por-
tions of my interests. and am gradually
selling more to such young men in our sery-
ice as my partners find possessed of excep-
tional ability and desire interest in the
business l am not an officer in the COM
pany. but only o shareholder. To the
numerous appeals which l have received
urging me to give instructions in gard to
recent troubles. 1 have paid no attention.
but to all these people and to any others
that have no power to instruct any body
connected with the Carnegie Steel Com
psny (limited.) The officers are elected
for year. and no one can inter
fere with them, Even at the next
election if 1 desired to make a change,
should be pOwerless to do SO. The law
under which the company is chartered re-
quires majority. not only In interest, but
in number of shareholders. to effect
change. If desired to replace the present
officers. therefore, it would be necessary
for me to obtain majority of the share
holders and also seven members willing TO
act as their successors. / could not find
one shareholder out of the whole number
by the present officials. They will be
unanimously reelected. [ do not believe
In ruling through the voting power, even if
/ could, and this provision, which has al
ways been feature in our partnerships. l
think is only fair to those l could other
wise outvote. When could not bring my
associates In business to my views by rea-
son have never wished to do so by force.
As for lnstructing or compelling them
under the law to do one thing OF another,
etr nj he's L.
If | would and would not do it if could.
Il am still holder of majority of the
shares of the Carnegie Steel Company (lim.
ttedl, never having changed my policy of
concentration. l made my first dollar In
Plttsburg, aud / expect to make my last
ono here, and as long as my young part
ners are willing or desire my capital to re-
main In the business 1t shall so remain, and
they shall ALWAYS have my best advice
when asked gratis. | elect to retain my
have helped to build up, 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. / do not know any form of
philanthropy so beneficial as this. There
Is no charity in it. / have not taken money
out OF the business for investment in out
side things. l never intend to do so. and
since l retired from business four years ago.
required for living expenses 1t has been de.
voted to public uses.
CARNEGIE POOR MAN.
Il have boarded nothing and shall never
accumulate money. / shall not die rich
which may be still held at my death. Much
has been said about my fortune. have
plenty only if the works in Pittsburg are
prosperous Unless they are. | have 9TH
inR and that is how | elect to stand All
my eggs are In one basket, right here in
western Pennsylvania take my chances
with my partners. and have the satisfac-
tion of knowing that the first charge upon
every dollar OF my capital is still the pay
In any part of the world for similar serv-
ice. Upon that record am proud to stand.
And now, one word about Mr. Frick,
whom recommended to the Carnegie Steel
Company tLimitedl. as its chairman. and
my successor four years ago. am not mis-
taken in the man. as the future will show.
OF his ability, fairness and pluck no one
has now the slightest question. His four
years management stamps him as one of
the foremost managers In the world. l
would not exchange him for any manager
know. People generally are still TO learn
of those virtues which his partners and
friends know we'll. If his health be spared,
L predict that no mSn who ever lived In
Pittsburg and managed business there will
be better liked or more admired by his en-
ployes than my friend and partner, Henry
Clay.Fr do not believe any man will
be more valuable for the city. His are the
qualities that wear. He never disappoints.
What he promises he more than fulfills.
Good workmen OF able men, who wish to
do what is fair and right. will learn to ap-
preciate Mr.. Frick. Neither inefficient otfi-
cials nor bad, unreasonable violent work
men does he like, and these will not thrive
with him."