Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-08-20
G. NJ SCHWAB,S CAREER.

greatest commercial organization in the
world, and who receives $3.50, 600 q
yelr, probably the largest salary in the
world, was born in Williamsburg, Pa.
February Is, 1862, and consequently is
now forty years old.
When he was ten years old his father,
who had been in the wOOlen manufac-
tur ng business in Williamsburg, moved
to Lorett0, Pa, and established lively
business. Young Charles did consider
able stage driving for his father, attend
Cd fors three months each winter the
Lor to country school, where he early
displayed a great love for mathematics,
and after two years went to st. FrGnci}
College, where for fur years he stood at
the head of his class.
Soon after this a Mr.. Spigelmire
moved from Loretto to Braddock, Pa,
and young Schwab went with him and
took a position in his grocery store.
While there he became fast friend of a
Mr. Rinard, department superintend-
ent of the Edgar Thomson steel works,
belonging to the Carnegie interests, WHO
often took him about the plant.
Two months after moving to Brad
dock his marvellous knowledge OF figures
attracted the attention Of w. r. Jones,
the superintendent of the Thomson
works, who had stopped in the grocery
store to make 4 purchase.
Mr.. Jones persuaded the boy to enter
his employ and gave him job driving
stakes at So Il week, an advance Of 50. 80
over his grocery store wages. lie
proved himself so valuable that within
six months he became assistant en-
gineer and when the chief engineer was
called away to attend to some work IN
the mines young Schwab was promoted
to his position.
just seven years after he entered the
Carnegie concern he was sent as chief
engineer to rebuild the great Homestead
steel plant. Previously he had attracted
attention by his construction, as an en-
gineer, of eight OF the nine mammoth
blast furnaces of the Edgar Thomson
works, which were the largest in this
country.
In 1887 he be anne superintendent OF
the Homestead works, and five years
later, in consequence of the tragic death
of his friend, W. X. Jones, he was made
general superintendent Of the Thomson
works. He subse Iuently built the great
steel rail mill and practically recon
structed the entire plant, receiving at
this time a salary of 435, 010 ayear.
Prior to the effort to make armor plato
a success Mr.. Sclwab began the study Of
chemistry, and set apart an upper room
in his house for a laboratory. which he
fitted up with the necessary appliances
for analyses Of iron, steel and ores, step
BY step learning that science which he
early realized would be necessary for ms
successful advancement.
Several years before his advancement
became matter of course Mr.. Jones
once answered the query as to who
would succeed him as the head of the
Edgar Thompson works by saying,
"The young engineer. Schwab, is the
only man tn ,ronghly fitted tor the
place"
After Mr. Jones's fatal accident
there were twenty-one applicants for his
position. Mr. Schwab did not apply,
and was surpris ID toroceiye letter from
the officers OF the Carnegie works ap-
pointing him superintendent, great
honor for man so young.
During the Homestead strike, after
the strikers hal been out two months
and there was no prospect of an early
settlement. Mr.. Schwab went to the
Homestead works and on account of the
great fondness of the men for him, in
three weeks, through his individual
efforts. the strike was declared Oft At
that time he directed both the Edgar
Thompson works and the Homestead
works from Homestead.
During the armor plate discussion at
Washington several prominent men IN
the Carnegie works went TO that city
TO present an argument in defense OF the
accusations made against the armor
plate turned ont at Pittsburg.
Mr.. j. G. 4. Leishnan, then presi-
dent of the Carnegie works, later minis
ter to Switzerland and now minister to
Turkey, was assigned to make the de-
fenSe.
Mr.. Leishman, however, requested
Mr.. Schwab to make the argument,
which he did so ably that on his return
to Pittsburg Mr.. Leishman was ask 10
resign, and Mr. Schwab made president,
although he hid not served as vice presl-
dent. -.
For four years he filled that position
so ably that he gained the entire CON
fdence of Mr.. Carnegie, so much that
that gentleman stipulated that ii he sold
out his interest in the Carnegie company
to the United States Steel Corporation
Mr.. Schwab must be made president.
! Mr.. Schwab has now been president
of the gigantic corporation about two
wears. and in the late autumn of 1901
paid an extended visit to Europe, where
he was received with almost royal honor'
and was accorded audiences with En-