Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-24
OHIO LOSES FOURTH
STEEL EXECUT|VE|
Death of J. E. Corrigan Puts
Another Big Concern in
Merger Field.

BY the Associated Press.
| CLEVELAND. January 24.-The hand
Of death has laid itself heavily on the
Ohio steel industry within the space of
few weeks with the passing of four
men prominent in this, one of the
States leading industries.
| William p. Palmer of Cleveland, pres
ident of the American Steel g. Wire
Co, and one Of the early day aides of
Ebert H. Gary. followed his former
leader in death as the first of the Ohio
steel magnates TO pass on this Winter.
Joseph G. Butler, jr.. Of Youngstown.
reputed to be one of the largest indi-
vidual holders Of stock in the Youngs-
town Sheet g. Tube Co, died suddenly
few weeks ago.
Robert Bentley. ST.. of Youngstown
for years prominent there in the steel
industry. was buried Monday. and last
night James w. Corrigan. president of
the Corrigan-McKinney Steel Co. Of
Cleveland. dropped dead as he entered
a club here.
Corrigan's Stormy Career.
Corrigan climaxed stormy and spec
NoASNA sSoAo oSp NAASAA AAS
returned from Europe with control of
So per cent of the stock of the steel firm
founded by his father. dropped into a
meeting Of the board of directors and
emerged president of the company. In
1917 he married Mrs. Laura Martin of
Chicago. After a short time they went
10 London, where Mrs. Corrigan
achieved social prominence.
Corrigan first gained notice in 1909
when Gcorgiana Young. a Pittsburgh
girl. unsuccessfully brought suit for
$4,000. alleging breach Of promise,
Shortly after his marriage. Corrigan
opened an estate here which became
a show place of northern Ohio. He
also achieved a national reputation as
a sportsman and for time had a
large stable Of running horses at Lex
ington. Ky.
In addition to the deaths in Ohio.
B. F. Jones, jr.. member Of the Jones
over the line from the Youngstown dis
trict, died in Pittsburgh recently.
Effect on Industry Discussed.
With the passing of these leaders in
the industry speculation has arisen as
to what effect may be exerted on the
future of steel in the State.
The death Of Corrigan puts another
dominating influence in the hands Of
an inactive estate so far as previous
steel operations are concerned. Although
the disposition OF his estate will not be
known until his will is probated, 1t is
expected that control of the Sl00,o00.000
interest of the Corrigans and the Nc
Kinneys in the Corrigan- Mckinney
Steel Co. will pass into the hands OF
woman heirs.
These developments are regarded IN
the financial quarter here as significant
in view of the many effected or pend
ing consultations. One by one smaller
units have been brought together in
Ohio within the recent past. Six of the
smaller companies put the finishing
touches on their consolidation here late
yesterday with the election Of William
H. Davey of Mansfield as president Of
the newly formed Empire Steel Cor
poration.
A few years ago. when Corrigan-Mc-
Kinney Steel passed back to Corrigan
control. it was said that one OF the
larger steel companies would have
liked TO acquire possession Of this Cleve-
land company. standing alone and out
side the group of combinations. But
Corrigan refused TO sell.