HENRY FRICK ON THE U.S. RAIL SYSTEM

HENRY CLAY FRICK (1849-1919) Frick was a steel and coke manufacturer. In 1881, Carnegie acquired stock in Frick's company, with a split between the two occurring over labor problems in 1887. Two years later, Frick become chairman of Carnegie's steel company. He played an essential role in forming the United States Steel Corporation. Letter Signed, " H.C. Frick." Three pages, 5 3/4" x 6 3/4". May 23, 1918. One East Seventieth Street. Frick writes to WILLIAM McAdoo (1863-1941) McAdoo served as President Wilson's Secretary of the Treasury from 1913 to 1918. IN 1914, He married Wilson's daughter Eleanor. Subsequently, he was instrumental in starting the Federal Reserve System and was its first chairman. During WW I, McAdoo served as director general of the railroads. The letter reads, in part: " If you expect to be in New York prior to July 1st & have an evening at your disposal, it would give me great pleasure to have you dine with me & meet a few of your friends. I know you are a very busy man, but you must have some recreation. The gentlemen I have in view to meet you, are I think well known to you & would be glad of the opportunity of meeting you. At your convenience, please let me hear from you, & if you feel that you might be able to get over here, I should be glad to have you fix a date. Congratulating you on your recent action in doing what was necessary to give you absolute control of the railroad situation ... " Soon after the U.S. entered into World War One, it became apparent that the country's railroads were not adequate to serve the nation's war efforts. Once a private attempt to consolidate the railroad failed, the federal government began to assert control over the railroad industry upon the recommendation of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Using the Railway Administration Act, President Wilson was able to nationalize the vast majority of the nation's railroads under the United States Railroad Administration with William McAdoo as the Director General of Railroads. It is this process of nationalization that Frick undoubtedly refers to in his letter to the recently appointed McAdoo. Received stamp on black fourth page. Wonderful content and associations. Fine condition overall.