New-York tribune., 1903-04-19
FRICK vs.. CARNEGIE.
Pittsb"rg Is Benefting by Their
Alleged RiUaIrg.


fered the addition of another-''skyscraper One
of the buildings Is exceeded in height only by
two of New-YOrks towering structures. Another
a story two lower, is said to be the finest Office
building in the world. These, with half a dozen
others, all of recent construction. put Pitts
burg far ahead of other cities of her class
The city beautiful has not received great deal
of attention from busy Pittsburgers The "sky-
scrapers.' in New-York. while things of beauty
in themselves, have only added to the irregu-
larity Of the sky line. The birdseye effect
not unlike that Of lower New-York. The Allegheny
River. one side. corresponds to the Hudson; the
Monongahela. on the other is not unlike the East
River. Together they form the Ohio and 1t does
not take q tremendous stretch of imagination TO
lken that New York Bay. There is a smoke
cloud the picture. It is only little worse
than the pail that has shaded New-York since the
great coal strike
Linked into the story of Pittsburg's building de-
velopment is the interesting rivalry between Pitts
burg's richest men, Andrew Carnegie and Henry c.
FriCk. a case OF rich man throwing down
the gauntlet another who seized 1t eagerly The
world knows that they enemies. but It is not
likely that either of the principals would admit that
a rivalry exists. The wealth of is estimated at
$500 600 coo; the other $50 600 900; the
contest If one there is is hardly equal basis
The story OF the enrnity is long one, and there
host Of minor details known 70 few, but there
three distinct factors which for the public.
When Mr.. FTick and Mr.. Carnegie first went
into business together said attorney who has
transacted much legal business for the steel COM
panies, the latter considerably the richer Of
the two. He had made a great deal OF money out
Of the steel works. Mr. Frick persuaded him 10
take an interest in his coke company. and in time
the majority interest held by Mr.. Carnegie.
There came strike among the coke workers Of the
district about Pittsburg. Mr.. FrIck, who managed
the Company's affairs, entered into agreement
with the other operators to hold out against the
striking employees. Then came a peremptory order
from Mr.. Carnegie. controlling owner. to give
in 10 the men and settle the strike. Mr. Frick had
TO break his word to the other operators. HIS
feelings were hurt and his pride was wounded. He
resigned and went off to Europe, where he re-
nained for some time.
When he returned the difficulties were patched
up and he taken into the Carnegie Company.
He became its president and eventually chairman
os the board which in this company was a higher
Office. After time combines began be talked Of
and trust mergers appear in prospect. The
Carnegie Company was capitalized $4,000 900.
which Mr.. Frick considered far too small. He gave
Mr.. Carnegie 100000 TO bind option his in
terests in the company.
Mr. Frick came over to New-York and asked
the bankers to underwrite company on the basis
Of S125, 000 lie hired special train and took
number Of financicrs to Pittsburg. He showed them
the various plants the possibilities of combination
and expansion The bankers returned thought ii
all over and decided that il not for them. Mr..
Carnegie kept the $10G0.0g0 which had been given
him 10 bind the option This the second fac
in the erGnity.
Mr.. Frick insisted C4e imitation Of the capital
friction company increased.
Finally M Carnegie resorted 10 rule in the in
corporation which provided that any with
drawing from the company must offer his stock
to the company at fixed price, based the
S25O0log0 capitalization In forcing smaller hold
ers out Of the company Mr. Frick himself had
used this rule. They prepared to vote him out of
the company and 10 compel him to sell the
pauy his stock under this rule.
Mr. Frick said no and prepared to fight. He
secured the services of the very attorney who had
tn ~1r1p and hroTTo
position. Mr.. Carnegie saw that the courts would
break the rule, and by way Of compromise turned
round and did the very thing that Mr.. Frick had
been struggling to effect. The capital stock
increased to a wonderful amount, and the legal
fight ended"
To return now TO tie tall buildings Eight years
ago fourteen story structure in Fifth-aye- was
completed for Mrs. Thomas Carnegie. It
named the Carnegie Building. and the Carnegie
Steel Company contracted to pay her per cent
net on an investment OF s. 100000 for term OF
years This contract Is stiH in force. having been
taken I'D by the United States Steel Corporation.
They viii soon occupy the entire building.
When Mr.. Frick acquired the property between
the Carnegie Building and the corner Of Grant
st and began thereon the erection OF a monster
building those who knew OF the I'll feeling be-
tween the two men smiled
"Mr Frfck is starting In 70 outdo his rival"
they said His building Will be much higher and
finer and il Will have his name"
But Andrew Carnegie did not build the Carnegie
Building" remarked others
1T bears name that Mr.. Frick hates. and that
is enough" said those who were sure that hight
Of millions had begun
The Frick Building mounted higher and higher
= reached the top Of the Carnegie Building. and
still the xorkmen piled stone upon stone. The
work continued until the twenty-second story was
e, r1ace and then they put the roof It lowered
only = hundred feet above its neighbor, ano Il
COST more than twice as much. In many respects
- 3s the finest Office building in the world For
single decorative window of Tiffany glass for the
,,sf- corridor s12 600 was paid, and IN other re-
srecs the interior decorations .are extraVasaHtiy
beautiful.
Recently Mr. Frick paid H.50O00 Tor the SL rat
i,, "a sfbadrsI property which extends the length
- to,b +be Frlck and Carnegie buildings on the
-, sf5e ~ Fifth-ave. Just what sort OF struct-
- he zf11 erect on this site has not been mace
LII sr7 regarding II Pittsburg is more than |
-, ,ran1 think that it will be modern
49,, ~ which the city stands in great neeo nov"
r ., NAV be as to his desire 10 surpaSS -ii' M
,,a-,sgia he has shown extreme ialth III 't'e ''
- otroro1ftan destiny Of PittsDurg-
G. ..r Mr. Frick has done little IN a pubic way
= 1,i,..t,,re The only distinct oHeFlns mas Oee"
" Ioi t+ of a small hospital Recently he |
'-ie .aeo aoo Cor plot OF forty acres facing the
p1Iu .,-rv ana Music Hall buildings IN the |
= &c said that he will erect pubhc !
f|ast 10 - - come sort upon the site and endow /
lnS''Iut1 -, m, as a monument to the name OF /
Frck. -. p,ttshurg have been most |
M ~, bas built libraries at Allegheny BRAD |
avs" ,agtesa McKeesport, Carnegie ana Du
doch' IL -, g. s4veu & 100000 for museum ana