The Calumet news., 1912-08-21
FATHER OF THE
STEEL INDUSTRY
Iohn Fritz, Ninety Years Old To-
day,In Poor Health

Bethlehem, Pa. Aug 2i.--John
Fritz. known far and wide as the father
Of the steel industry in the United
states. attained his ninetieth birthday
anniversary today. The dinner given
at the Waldorf Astoria i'm New York
ten years ago In celebration of the
eightieth birthday OF Mr.. Fritz is rtilj
remembered ms one 0f the most re-
markable gatherings ever assembled In
this country OF captains OF invcn-
tion and industry and the central fig
ures Of finance allied with the iron
trade.
II was hoped that some similar ar
fair might be held to commemorate
Mr. lritZ's ninetieth year. but the pre-
carious condition of his health caused
the idea 10 he abandoned. For the
past six months the veteran ironmds-
ter has heen IN very poor health aud
during much Of The TINE has been bed
fast During this time messages of
inquiry and cheer have been received
at his home almost daily from leading
lnep In the IRON and steel world from
Andrew Carnerie down to- the active
present day plant managers, many OF
whom in wears past were numbered
among Mr.. F'rity's "boys.9
Helped Build Industry.
John Fritz long ago earned his title
Of father of the steel industry not hy
any single Invention or discovery. but
10y contribution of new devices. new
methods and practical work iU building
up the industry in the United States.
With only district school educatica,
gained near his birthplace in the middle
part of Pennsylvania. he gained po-
sition in the steel industry that has
been recognized bV the whole world.
At the age of IS Mr. Fritz left his
fathers farm to work in a country ma
chine shop. wiah view of learnins
the trade Of a machinist. After wax
ious experiments in steel making at
Norristown and Safe Harbor. he went
To Johnstown. whore he remodeled az
old mill aud built what Is now known
as the Cambria Iron Works II was at
this period that In connection with his
brother George, he designed and erect
ed the well kncwr three high bloom
ors," with their automatic tables aud
the three high mill" These i'm
ycntions started an economical revolu
tion in steel manufacture.
Built Plant for Navy.
When the United states Govern
mept. some twenty FIVE years ago &c.
cided to build modern navy of ar
NOR planted vessels equipped with
guns of great calibre. there was H.
plant In the country where the plates,
guns and forgings for such ships could
be made. Bethlehem was selected as
the site for the projected plant and
Mr.. Fritz was chosen as the man 10
build IT, He went 10 Europe and spent
some months in study ing the plate
and gun making plants there, and when
he returned he built plant that sur
passed its European models. Among
other features II contained the greatest
hammer and the most powerful press
In the world. When Mr.. Fritz built
this. the first armor plant in America,
such men as Schwab. Corey and others
who subsequently became famous IN
the steel Industry, were stlll boys
Mr.. Eritz Is the only man now lit
ing of the small group that introduced
into. the United States the BessemeI
steel process. A great economical rev.
olution was thus effected. from which
has flowed the tremendous deveiop-
ment seen today in steel manufac-
ture in the United states. In 1898 the
the British Iron and Steel Institute
gave Mr.. Fritz the Bessemcr gold
medal which is the highest distinction
a steelmaker can receive.