John Fritz

AS we contemplate the bestowal of the John Fritz medal year after year on men of wide-world dis-tinction in the various fields of engineering, men who in one way or another have given impulse and direction to the progress of mankind, the question becomes inter-esting as to what manner of man was John Fritz and what were the qualities that singled out his name to be so conspicuously associated with the world's great scientific and industrial achievements. If, as Lowell said, it is the duty of the nation to pro-duce great men, our country surely rose to her oppor-tunity when she guided and guarded the career of John Fritz. Starting life as a blacksmith with no advantages of education, without influential friends or the favor-ing accidents of fortune, he advanced steadily in use-fulness, power and respect of his fellowmen until by common consent he occupied the first place in the domain of the steel industry of this, country. The numerous honorary scientific memberships conferred upon him in this country and abroad attest the esteem in which he is held by his fellow engineers. Twenty years after his retirement from active business at the age of seventy, he lived to enjoy, as few men have been permitted to do, the fame and the friendships which he had so amply earned. His sterner qualities of industry, integrity and sterling character were re-lieved by unfailing human sympathy, humor and spon-taneous good-will toward his fellowmen. To all who