Business & Finance: Steel Widow

On Saturday Jan. 15, 1916, lady-like chatter rang through the Victorian mansion at No. 856 Fifth Avenue as 24 players sat down to bridge. Over the six tables presided a plump, erect matron. When the game was over she rose, announced the prizes: one share of U. S. Steel preferred for each table. Steel preferred was $117 a share that day. The prizes totaled $702.

When newshawks heard of the party, they called up Judge Elbert H. Gary, chairman of U. S. Steel. Did he know-about it? Yes, he did. For the matron was his...

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