The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-25
CARNEGIE'S BESSEMER MEDAL
HONOR CONFERRED BY IRON AND
STEEL INSTITUTE.

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Demand for Product--New Sources
OF Metal supply the Need Of the Day.
The Iron and steel Institute, which began
yesterday the first annual meeting 1t had
held In this country in fourteen years, and
the second one 1t has ever held here, made
its first session memorable by the presen-
tation to Andrew Carnegie OF the Bessemer
gold medal, considered one OF the highest
honors that can be paid to anybody for
achievements in the industrial world. The
presentation and the opening ceremonies
OF the session were held in the evening
In the state dining hall in Sherry's, and
were followed by reception and ball,
the dancing beginning at 10 o'clock.
The presentation Of the medal to Mr.;
Carnegie was the last feature on the pro-
gramme and the presentation speech was
made by Sir James Kitson, Bart, one Of the
most distinguished Of the British attendance
at the meeting. Sir James in his pres
entation speech dwelt at length upon Mr..
Carnegie's achievements in the iron and
steel industry and spoke of visit he made
to the Pittsburg Steel Works many years
ago with Mr.. Carnegie as his guide, when
in response toa question Mr.. Carnegie con-
fessed that he did not understand the in
tricate machinery employed in the works.
but said he did believe he understood the
man who was behind the machinery and
running it. Taking this as his test, Sir
James spoke of Mr.. Carnegie's general
attitude toward inventors and others who
had been of such vital importance in build
ing up the iron and steel industry.
Mr. Carnegie, in accepting the medal, re-
taI hat 1,raa ty l,,t ,tyttn ox,iI anf
feeling, saying among other things that
there were kinds of men--the man who
did great things and did not get credit
for it, the man who did great things and
did get credit for it and the man who
got credit for about ten times more than
he ever did, and to this last category Mr..
Carnegie modestly consigned himself.
He did give himself credit, however for
the possession of common sense and
quoted the epitaph which several times
he has said he wanted placed on his tomb
Here lies one who knew how to get around
him cleverer than himself
Il hope to hold this medal, he concluded,
land pass it on to my descendants as I
furnished"
The Bessemer medal was established by
the great inventor in 1873 and has been con-
ferred at succeeding meetings Of the Irop
and Steel Institute on men whose inven-
tons have been Of revolutionary character
or whose researches have been considered
of the utmost Importance, There is, how
ever, clause in the deed OF gift on which
the council of the institute, the body that
makes the award, has depended in making
the award this year This clause provides
that the council may, in their discretion.
award the medal in any case not coming
strictly under the foregoing definition
should they consider that the iron and
steel trades have been or may be substan-
award has been made.
The only Americans, save Mr.. Carnegie,
on whom the medal has been bestowed are
Peter Cooper, Alexander Lyman Holley,
the Hon. Abram s. Hewitt, John Fritz and
Prof. Henry Marion Howe.
Prior to the presentation Of the medal,
Mr.. Fornes, president Of the Board OF AL
dermen, acting on behalf OF the Mayor,
who was unable to be present. made a
speech Of formal welcome on behalf Of the
Of the institute, responded at length. Mr..
Carnegie said
On behalf of the iron and steel trades, |
beg to return grateful thanks, for the sx;
TO us. It's warmth does not surprise us, for
the institute is no stranger to American hos
pitality. Fourteen years ago this very month
we were your guests for the first time. Many
then present are again your guests o-day.
Among them. ! shall be pardoned for men
Sir Gna james TX ssfs4sh and Ms
Richards and Whitwel
The former then occupied the position Of
to SOS. him again. for Sir James has become
ons Of TIE Ink which
Of OUR Enss i0 speaPns F se Two branches
Upon our last visit the Institute was
amazed at the extraordinary development
that was development has proceeded at
even quicker pace since then: The figures
az p eGstvf Sr sSs yaa we Yon. Visited T0et
1890. was 1900. 900 tons; in 1903 it was over
$1,000. 600 tons. Thus in thirteen years it
more than double and in open hearth steel
the increase is more than sevenfold-from
half million tons in 1890 to six millions in
1909.
Your export, trade in manufactures has
increased nearly, ,threefold. In the decade
ton snd the natoea e"S from
ss5 oOo OOo. 900 to sp4.0 O.o0oOOo. No wonder
We come to see for ourselves and to study
There Is one source Of intense satsfac-
ton open to our British members in doing SO.
TO yo nsy o BE- a to % nh Of
the iron and, steel industry here, 1t is TO their
older land that you are Indebted 4, for the in
Nelson. Thomas and Gilchrst. Bessemer
and semenf , you owe your success Franc,
members may respectively claim as country
men and we of the three Teutanc branches
and France are here allied as contributing
partners to this achievement. The institute
congratulates the Republic upon this sur
prising increase which we note with salts
faction Your growth has not lessened the
OUTPUT of any other country The demands
OF the world have increased quite as rapidly
been able to supply these, and, looking TO the
future.
The question is not how various lands
IN NnI hot fpr I'D md
steel production, but rather the imperative
for new DEVELOPMENTS OF the world are to
be met at reasonable prices. The needed
supply of good iron stone is not by any means
yet assured. We are compelled TO base
our hopes of increased supply OF cheap steel
on further discoveries.
This institute has no narrow or selfish traits.
The inventions and discoveries made in all
these lands are promptly and fully explained
at our meetings. The papers read at the
last meeting illustrate this noble policy of
publicity and mutual cooperation. Two
leading manufacturers of armor plate de.
scribed their latest processes and discussed
their merits We are all very proud OF this
feature
To-day the statesmen Of various Powers
now viewing each other with unfounded sus-
picion may take a lesson from the worldwide
Iron and Steel Institute.
The institute will be in session here to-day
tomorrow and next day with headquarters
~ tho Hotel Astor In the abaanoa of Mr.