The age-herald., 1899-12-07
ANDREW CARNEGIE
 ON THE STEEL TRADE

Pittsburg, December 6-In an interview today Andrew Carnegie told why he would not retire from business and why the Car negie Steel company would continue in the old lines. He said:
 "It was very natural for Eny thirty odd young partners to be tempted by the seem- ingly high offer made for the business. When I spoken to on the subject, my only question was whether the partners de- sire to accept 1t. I satisfied myself that they did. That was sufficient for me. I told them that could have nothing to do with any stock speculation but gave them the option to take over my interests, so they could do what they liked
 "I believe the transaction was closed but circumstances arose which prevent it from being carried out. I also think that many of the partners had become less anxious for the sale than they were At any rate the result was that the whole matter fell through and here we are again. That is all there is about it."
 Was not the price considered too high?"
 'I don't know about that. Probably some thought 1t was and others thought it was not I had a very decided opinion then. I have the same opinion now. It was not nearly high enough. I was asked what price I would take to give an extension of the option, and I declined to give it upon any terms I knew that I was making great sacrifices of my interests. The next party that wants an option will have to take it at a greatly enhanced price, so far as I am concerned, and instead of giving me million for the option I gave, I shall want five. The Carnegie Steel company has just begun to grow"
 "The Carnegie Steel company is getting big competitors now that it did not have before. Is not that serious?"
 "That may be serious, but not for the Carnegie Steel company. A partnership concern. with such an organization as our company has, with thirty-two of the clev- crest young men in the world, every one of them partner because he can do some- thing better than anybody else, has a great advantage"
 "Do you think the country can continue consuming so much iron and steel?'
 4sThis is not to be decided solely by refer ence to our own country" MT. Carnegie re- piled. ''I believe.the world to be short of steel The article is going into so many new uses, supplanting other articles, that It would be difficult to supply the wants or the world. Take steel cars for instance, a wonderful success. The Carnegie Steel company has to make 1000 plates a day for the Pressed Steel Car company, which makes 45O, 900 tons of pig iron year.
 .sThen you think the present conditions will contfnue?"
 ..Oh. no. I don't The iron and steel bus- mess is like the sea, succession or waves and tides, high then low; but as Tar as next year is concerned, cannot see any cause. short of a phenomenal one, which can prevent it from being a year with much more profitable results than this has been"
 .~rhen YOU look for an advance upon present prices?"
 .'No, the manufacturers of iron and steel have profited little so far by the advance in prices. Some have even lost heavily, not being covered with raw materials, but most, if not all, of them have been largely oversod at the lowest price, Any concern that had to buy pig iron today and sell finished steel at the low price prevailing a short time ago would lose $14 or $15 on every ton. Next year is to be the ban ner year for the manufacturer barring the exception the newspapers have published about our proposed new improvements. Taiese are enough for one years employ nient. What the next years extensions will be time will show, but they will be, l think, as great as those of this year, which is the greatest years extensions ever made in the history of the concern. I have not doubt that Pittsburg is still to be the center of the steel industry. There are some things that I believe will be accomplished in three years that will prove me a true prophet. have heard of some plans that give me much satlsfac- ton"
 MT. Carnegie spoke of the Pittsburg or- chestra, which is conducted by Victor Her. bert First thanking the newspapers for their encouragement of the Carnegie In- stitute, he said:
 q am glad the orchestra is going over to New York to perform in Carnegie hall. Pretty rough on New York when Pittsburg can send an orchestra to perform there and New York has not one. I like that. I will not be ashamed of the orchestra, even in New York"
 MT. Carnegie was asked if he had dic- tated an article to one of the reviews re-
  out on the train the other day. He replied: "Aes. I should like everybody to read it. My article will appear in January.
 "As for home politics, have just gotten home, and my mind has been occupied with other matters, I have two friends sorrow ing over sons killed in the Philippines: General Howard lost his, and now Mrs. Logan loses her son. Thousands of others have the same sorrow. I keep asking my- self what is all this for? and find no sat- isfactory answer, nor have seen one made"
 MT. Carnegie will leave for New York to- morrow morning.
 LOST EVERY BEAT
 From the Athens Democrat.
 Governor Johnston lost every beat in Limestone in which he spoke. His spell