The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-01

PITTsBURG. Jan. 27.-Ever since the
arrival of Mr.. Andrew Carnegie from Eu-
rope he has been besieged by newspaper
men for all expression upon the recent
troubles at Homestead, but he steaifastly
refused to be interviewed. In converse
ton with the correspondent of the A-so-
ciated Press this afternoon. however, Mr..
Carnegie Ia ked freely on the subject.
Il did not come to Pittsburg," said he,
Ito rake up, but to try to bury the past,
OF which know nothing. That is beyond
recall; it should be banished 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 stoppsge at one
OF its numerous works, and l trust
and believe that even this record
will be fully equaled in
the twenty-five years to come. When
employer and emp Dyed become an,sgon-
istic, each considering the other its enemy,
it is contest between twin brothers.
There is no genuine victory possible for
either, but defeat for both capital and
labor. | desire now, once Tor all. to make
one point clear. Four years ago l retired
FROM active business no consideration In
the world would inducs me to return to it;
a great error Of our countrymsn is that
they endure the hsrassing cares incident
to business until they break down in the
harness. when they should be In their
prime, and die. still striving for dollars.
l 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
service as my partners find possessed Ofex-
cepiional ability and desire interest in the
business. 1 am not an officer in the COM
pany, but only a shareholder. To the
numerous appeals which have received
urging me TO give instructions in regard TO
recent Irou bles, i have paid no attention,
but TO all these people and TO any others
interested in the subject. let me now say
that | have no power to instruct ANYBODY
connected with the Carnegie steel com
panv. limited; the officers are elected for
a wear and no one can interfere with them.
Even at the next election. II / desired to
make change, | shOu be power ess to
do So The law under which the company
is chartered requires majority. not only
in interest. but in number OF shareholders.
the present officers, therefore, it would be
necessary for me to obtain a majority OF
the shareholders and also seven
members willing to act as their
successors. could not find
one shareholder out of the whole number
interested that would not vote and stand
by the present officials. Tney will he
unanimously reelected. do not believe
in ruling through The voting power, even
if could. and this provision. which has
always been feature in our partnerships.
think is only fair to those | could other
wise outvote. When l could not bring
ny associates in business to my views by
reason | have never wished TO do So by
force. As for instructing or compelling
them under the law to do one thing or
another, that is simply absurd. / could
not do il If / would, and / would not do il
ii | could. l am still no der of a ma
ioriy of the shares of the Carnegie steel
company, limited, never having changed
my policy OF concentration. / made my
first dol ar in Plttsburg. aud expect to
make my last one here, and as long as
my young partners are wiling or desire
nv capital TO remain III the
business 1t shall so remain and
they shall always have my best advice
when asked, gratis. / elect TO retain my
capital in the manufacturing business /
have helped 10 build up because l have
and always must have great pride in il,
and for the further reason that my capital
is thus made The direct employer of labor;
il furnishes manv men with steady work
ct good wages. l do not know any form
of philanthropy so beneficial as this.
There 10 no charity in il. / have not
taken money out of the business for in
vestment in outside things; l never intend
to do So and since l retired from business
four years ago. when money has
come TO me beyond that required
for living expenses, 1t has been
devoted to public uses. / have boarded
nothing and shall never accumulate
money. / shall not die rich apart from
my interest in the business which may be
still hold at my death. Much has been
said about my fortune; have plenty
only II the works in Pittsburg are prosper
Gus. unless they are. l have nothing. 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 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.
Upon that record am proud to stand.
And, now one word about Dir. Frick,
! whom | recommended to the Carnegie