The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-31
J0HNG.A.LE|SHMAN,
Us. AMBASSADOR,
WAS COAL PICKER
"HARp-HiTTING pUTcHMAN" rs
PITTs6uRG MIL LION AIR E.
AWAKENED TAcTFuL SULTAN
WITH AMERICAN WARsHIPs.

WASHINGTON March 3l.-Orphan
boy, coal picker. PiItsburg millionaire
ambassador to the court OF the
Caesars
This is part OF the life of Ian
named Leishman. John G.. A. Leish-
man. II used 10 be Johnny.
Leischman is still Pittsburg mil
iionaire, one OF Carnegie's boys,
and has been selected as Americas
representative to Itoly.
"A fghting Dutchman," with a stiff
punch, and a winning smile-this Is
l.eisman. He will arbitrate as long
rs is consistent. When trouble passes
that point he's little better at In
lighting than most men.
His rise from coal picker TO presi-
dent of the Carnegie Steel Co, his
wears as buffer between Carnegie anu
Frick. keeping them working together
this is signal power OF Leishmans
diplomacy. There have been thou
sand hard battles in the struggle OF
the Carnegie interests for supremacy
In the steel industry. Anyone who
had part in the struggle had to be
fighter.
y
company supreme as the steel trust,
had enough fighting. He was 4o Lire
was too short to work all the time.
He wanted TO enjoy prosperity. lie
resigned and took 4 whirl at Europe
He saw much of the diplomatic game
thought he would like it, President
Mckinley in 1897 gave him credentials
as minister to Switzerland.
Being minister To Europe's smallest
republic-except Monaco-isnt al
onerous Job, and Leishman. the orphan
coal picker. surprised the contnen.
by becoming successful host and
man of the world.
Most OF the powers train diplomats
carefully. They are university and
drawing-room trained. and add 10 tha'
by long years of training. Many arc
diplomats by inheritance. They
couldn't understand--don' yet-how a
coal picker could beat them at their
own game. in the social end or di'
plomacy.
Soon Leishman qualified for bigger
job--one which called for more than
banuuets and grand balls. In 1901 ne
was made minister TO Turkey In 1906
he was made ambassador.
The ministry TO Turkey called out
the fighting Dutchman, the one VINO
Rad made steel and swung railroads,
not the Hon. Mr.. Leishman, who
learned to give parties and talk
French.
United States held claims against
Turkey. THE Sick Man of the East
made his usual promises and went
back to sleep. He awoke when de-
termined minister pounded at MS
door. The sultan temporized. Leish'
man demanded action. The sultan
clustered Leishman started battle
ships for the Mediterranean.
The result? Well, diplomats haven't
recovered from their surprise-but the
Turk paid.
Mrs. Ellen Stone. American mis-
sionary. was held for ransom. Again
the Turk heard from the Pittsburger.
grand vizier was naughty. and his
autocratic master made humble apol-
ory: the two learned to respect the
smiling minister.
We've had quiet around the Ameri
can embassy at Constantinople for
several years. The Turks have de-
cided that John G.. A. Leishman Is no
man to trife with. In diplomatic cir
cles, they say, the American ambassa'
dor to Turkey has earned promotion.
Leishman was born in 1857. had
some common schooling at school, and
more uncommon schooling nights at
home. worked around the mines, got a
Job as messenger boy. became broker,
worked with the Carnegie people, grew
valuable, grew indispensable.
The company grew great, Leish-
man grew with It, became protege
Of Carnegie, who exercised his genius
for discovering men. became a part
ner, finally president OF the company