The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-28

brated two" Office in Plstsburg when he
was earning $50 per month az Col. SCOTS
private secretary. cur Of which he saved
$50 while I was making the munifcent
salary Of So per month and spending
$50
It was the custom in those early days
to address office associates by their given
names, Mr. Carnegie being popularity
known as Andy while / was ordered
around abruptly as 10"
I ] well remember the day reported
at two" an awkward country boy and
was cordially greeted By young man
with very light hair, who remarked, as
he smilingly extended his hand, rs this
Mr.. Kerbey?" As this was the first and
last time that I was addressed as mis-
/ ter" the iacident made lasting impress
sion. During these earlier days as in lat
ter years. when / have met the great phi
lanthropist and capitalist, Is have always
been cordially greeted as "Jo,' and he
has been the same, ANDY"
Mr. Carnegie began 10 earn money
first as striker or a fireman for a sta
tionary engine in a printing Office for
$50 per week, later he became mes
senger boy and gained a knowledge Of
teiegraDhy by hard application.
Being Obliging and agreeable, he at
tracted the attention of Col. Scott. then
superintendent Of the Pennsylvania Rail
road, which was just beginning 10 oper-
ate its line Of single track. in connection
with the canal and stage coaches. be-
tween Philadelphia and Pittsburg. Mr.
Thaw the father Of the man who now
has such unpleasant publicity, was an
associate Of Mr.. Scott as manager Of
freight traffic. through which he made a
great deal Of money and remained during
his lifetime an intimate friend OF Mr..
/. Carnegie. Mr. Scott called Andy 70 his
Office as an operator and later he became
private secretary and chief or division
operator.
About this time the oil or petroleum
: development began, also the discovery and
opening up of the new coal nelds along
the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
Col Scot. being an aggressive and eX-
ceedingly energetic man. became inter
ested in these enterprises. as well as IN
the movement of freight under Mr..
Thaw's control. But, his activities were
hampered by his official position as super
intendent Of the railroad the State char
ter Of which prevented officials becoming
interested in these outside matters To
overcome these obstacles he delegate
Andy, his private secretary, TO conduct
these enterprises in his name
Andy was empowered to use SIR. Scott Z
name freely ia the conduct of the rdil-
road. and also had the power OF attorney
To carry on the outside business. One
OF my earliest recoIlections was the
Characteristic signatures. Thomas =
Scott, per A, which was attached u
! kilograms and letters by Andy.
Dir. Scott is said to have placed with
his private secretary large and valuable
I holdings in oil and coal, which enabled
him TO accumulate largely from the
, profits.
This was the beginning of his success
which ia a few years permitted him 70
retire from the railroad service 10 engag,
in the manufacture Of steel
Carnegie and Scott were as opposite in
manner and disposition as the "Antip-
0des, the colonel being positive and
{ aggressive in manner prompt 10 decide
any question with a yes or no. and always
ready 10 carry oct any necessary move
, neut. In physique, he was slender man
: OF medium height, rather dark com
peXion. and remarkable expressive gray
eyes. Sir. Carnegie. on the contrary. is
: considerably below the medium in height
"a very decided blond. with light hair
{ whose laughing. boyish manner was in
decided contrast with Nh SCOTS positive
ness.
Both were popular, Mr. Scott being fair
2 ly worshiped by the employees notwith-
sta nding his aggressive manner, Will
Andy was loved like a petted boy. who j.
has capacity as "a private secretary, was
always smoothing the austerties OF his
J chief in his diplomatic way.
MI Carnegie was always doing some
thing to improve himself and benefit those
associated with him. Even in those early
days he was partial 10 books and libra
ries, and probably because he felt the
need Of them and experienced the diff
Guilty IN obtaining what he required FOL
his studies induces him 10 provide St
literally toward the maintenance of libra
{ ries for the benefit of those unable TO buy
Books. The criticism ON MI Carnegie.
generosity toward libraries is best answer
ed by his early requirements in that diree
ton, and his subsequent munifeent con
tributiOns 10 private charities
Though occupied with his duties ter
hours every day, he found time to organ
lie a clue IN the office to obtain book.
e Dy subscription from the only library thel
p ia Pittsburg, known as the Mercantile, oc
cupyng limited quarters in second Hoo
y rooms. The rules required that edci
member pay fee of 8, with monthly
dues MI Carnegie became cur subscrib
er and took out books. which were circu
lated among the boys in the OhiCr
He was also the moving member OF Z
debating society composed of younl
, friends Of his own age engaged in clerica
{ positions similar 10 his own. The clui
g met at night in the upper room OF the old
q fashioned fire company named Ngilant
located on Third street which was q
that time the newspaper row of Pittsburg
Andy was the leading debater. l recall
j one meeting in which Shakespeare wa
q the topic wherein one of the orators. Mr.
/ Thomas Miller, charged Mr.. Carnegie
p with misquoting Shakespeare. or using
! expressions as Shakespearean which
originated with himself, to which he re
torted that he considered il d compliment
TO be compared to Shakespeare.
L AS we younger boys could not compete
2 with our big-headed debaters. We organ
6 lied a boat club and spent our evenings
IN rowing, subsequently defeating a pick
. ed crew of debaters in a race
Andys talent for organization for i'm
provement resulted in forming what We
called a "taffy club" comprising all the
e employees or Office associates. The object
d was mutual Improvement in conversation
- and department Any member using an
improper word, or slangy expression OF
committing an error in gentlemanly de
pertinent was subjected to a fine of
cent for each offense. the proceeds being
S devoted to the purchase of tafy for the
e office
= There were no cigars. or cigarettes, OF
chewing gum in the Office. but it goes
4 ! without saying that there was always