The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-05

HE wonderful success of and the
 vast wealth accumulated by the
 \ Carnegie Steel company has been the cause of much enmity against that corporation by labor. especially among the anarchist element of the country. This hatred developed to such an extent as to cause several tragedies. The most nearly effective attempt at assassination was directed against Henry Clay Prick, it's general manager, on July 23 1892. The perpetrator of this outrage was Alexan- der Berkman, New York anarchist. He not only succeeded in firing two bullets into the body of the steel magnate but also in stabbing him twice.
 The Carnegie company's offices were To- cated in the Chronicle-Telegraph building, and at the time of the attempt upon the life of the general manager he was ill his office on the fifth floor of the building. the elevator, and as he got off at the fifth floor he was stopped by messenger, who asked him his business. He replied that he represented New York employ ment agency. He was told that Mir Prick was on the second floor, and Berkman de- scended. He went direct to the managers private office, where he found MT. Prick at his desk. Without saying word, he drew revolver from his pocket and firef occurred the stabbing.
 Clerks from tile various offices rushed into the room. followed by two police- men. who had been attracted by .he re- volver shots. They seized the prisoner and led him away to the police sts ston, while Mir. Tricks wounds were cared for by his family physician. Dr. Lichficld, who, by singular coincidence, was pass ing the office at the time of the attempt on his life. MT. Prick was later removed to his home in an ambulance.
 Berlkman was importuned after he had been taken to the central police station as to his reason for the deed. He said that he had arrived in Pittsburg on the afternoon of the Fist, his sole intention ne- ing to kill MT. Prick. He claimed that he had no accomplices, but that he had made up his mind that the deed had to be done, and that he was chosen to do 1t.
 
 assassination. was 2l years of age and had been in ths country for five years. In New Yorkshe was employed in the office of the "Fricheit,'' an anarchist paper, con ducted by Herr Most. The following day. Berkman was transferred from the COT tral station to the county jail. The entire police and detective force of Pittsburs was at once set to work to ascertain to what extent there might have been conspiracy. not only to murder Mir. Prick, but other members of the Carnegie cor poration, and number of suspects were locked up.
 On July 29 BerkInan was taken from his cell to the private office of Jail Warden McAlleese. He was given hearing on the six charges preferred against him. It was very brief and without any sensa- tional features. Bail on all of the charges was fixed at s24.00o, and the anarchist-as- sassin was led back to his cell with \ look of indifference on his face. 2tls
 The trial of Berkman took place on September 19, less than two months after The prisoner maintained the same in1if- ferent demeanor which had characterized his conduct since his arrest. He had no attorney and did not cross-examine wit nesses. He had no witnesses for his ee- fense. District Attorney Burleigh pre- scented the various indictments, charging Berkman with offenses ranging from felo- nious assault and battery down to carry- ing concealed weapons.
 By the time of the trial MT. Prick had so far recovered that he was able 10 ap. pear, and was the first witness called Dr. Lichield followed with medical tes- timony. and then Mir. Leishman. the vice president of the Carnegie company, who was in Mir. Tricks office at the time of the attempt on his life and whose pres ence no doubt saved him from being as- Sd ssinated. related how he had overpow- cred Berkman and held him until assist ance had arrived.
 !, After the witness for the prosecution l had finished Berkman announced that | he would like to say something in his own | defence. He then. began to read irrelevant matter from large roll of paper. The