ANDREW CARNEGIE.

Western Star, 17 July 1917, Page 3

ANDREW CARNEGIE.

We learn (says the ‘ Dunedin Star ’) that Mr Andrew Carnegie, the worldfamous. ironmaster and multi-million-aire, is now “ bereft of reason, and is no longer able to recognise his closest friends. It is,” says the correspondent, “the saddest *of spectacles to see this once powerful and masterful mind completely shattered.” At the age of 82 we expect increasing physical disabilities to be in evidence, but it is pathetic to contemplate such a man as a mental wreck. Not many years ago the compact and well-knit frame, the keen.eyes and firm-set mouth, proclaimed the manner of man he was. Penetrating insight, strength of will, and iron self-discipline, combined with great opportunities-, which he was quick to seize, go far to explain his extraordinary success. The son of a humble Dumfermline weaver, he emigrated with the family to Pittsburg at the age of 10, ami was immediately employed at some menial jobs in a. l factory. After tending .'a small engine for some time, young Carnegie passed through the grades of telegraph messenger and operator to railway clerk and finally superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Fortunate speculations in oilfields led the way to those vast and successful operations in. iron with, which .his name is mainly associated. Qarnegie had an eye for big. opportunities, and the capacity and resolution to make the most, of them. Bessemer patented his process, for the cheaper production of steel in 1856, and Carnegie was not slow in recognising the tremendous revolution involved in the reduction from £SO to £lO per ton. It meant the beginning of the age of steel, and with characteristic sagacity and courage he embarked on the tide which- bore him on to fortune. With wealth reckoned by tens of millions, Carnegie laid down the dictum that " the man who dies wealthy dies disgraced,” and forthwith set about dispensing bounties from his vast resources on certain well-defined principles which are well known. Probably no private individual ever gave out such an enormous amount of money in benefactions; and probably no benefactor was ever less thanked. Of late years Mr Carnegie lias been prominently identified with the ureat cause of international peace, and it- is believed that this protracted and horrible war has had much- to do with his present condition. Ever and anon comes the pitiful wail: “Wife, IS the war ended When will peace come ? ”