The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-12
EdNu1d Stettinin J1:, IS, Ranks
Second to Taylor in e. S. Steel

ftmes Special
NEW YORK, Feb. 12.-Edward r.
Stettinius Jr., at the age of IS, to-
day stands on the springboard from
which industrialists believe he pres
emily will rise to the position of
head man of the greatest industrial
corporation in the world.
AS chairman of the finance COM
mittee Of United States Steel he is
the second ranking executive, and
he is in direct line for the position
of Myron C. Taylor, chairman of
the board
1t has been logical progression
of circumstances that has brought
this sturdy, broad-shouldered young
man to the old, green-carpeted Of
flee, with its old-fashioned oak desk
in the seventeenth floor of II
Broadway.
His Rise Phenomenal
1t has been procession of phe-
nomenal rises in executive positions
that has brought him to the bust
ness pinnacle where no man so
young has stood before. He has
been headed that way since he was
graduated from college
The work-packed years have
taken some toll His hair is pure
white. But his face is young and
firm and ruddy from workouts in
the open. 1t is a serious face, some
times droll as is that of white
haired Charlie Chaplin, but he has
a quick smile and the gift of genial
ity. =.
The astute, driving, restless son
of the late Morgan partner, Edward
r. Stettinius, he has background
of "big business" 1t was the elder
Stettinius, former Assistant Secre-
tary of War, who was chosen by
j. P. Morgan g. Co. to become a
partner and organize the purchase
of munitions for the Allies during
the war His purchases totaled
SIS 100000.
Liked Responsibility
Stettinius Jr was born in Chi
cago on Oct. %, 1900. He was edu-
Gated at the Pomfret School and at
the University of Virginia.
A rich young man who did not
have to work for any kind of living,
he wanted to work. He had an in
curing turn of mind which dotted
on statistics. He liked responsible
ity. And General Motors, in 1924
gave it to him only a short time
after his college graduation.
In six years he moved rapidly
from post to post, each new one be-
ing better than it's predecessor.
In 1880, Alfred P. Sloan, president,
made him his assistant. In 1881,
when he was 30, he was named vice
president, in charge of industrial
and public relations.
In 1888 he was chief lieutenant Of
Walter G. Teagle in the "Share-the-
Work" program, and in the latter
part of that year he was executive
secretary of the Industrial Advisory
Board, serving as liaison between
recalcitrant business heads and MIRA
enthusiasts.
A Stickler for Foresight
Amid the vexations of this job he
revealed particular talent for
handling men. His adroitness
brought belligerents together-his
fairness won the respect of all, and
his phrase, What do you Think"
proved an invaluably painless means
OF probing his subjects.
Among his associates he is known
as vigorous industrialist with mod
ern leanings.
Naturally studious, a stickler for
foresight, it is significant to recall
that when Mr.. Tayler offered him
his present position, with the OBJ
vious implication that upon retire
ment of the chairman of the board
he would succeed to that high Office,
he did not jump at the chance. He
considered the fact that on the pay
roll of Steel there are 275,O0O work
ers. He asked for two weeks to
think over the offer Then he ac-
cepted.