Leaders in All Fields Pay Tribute to Charles Coffin

Leaders in industries, charities, finance and government have added their tributes to those of electrical men to Charles A. Coffin, founder of the General Electric Company. Hundreds of messages expressing admiration and respect for Mr. Coffin and his contributions to the electric light and power industry have been received by officers of the General Electric Company.

Messages from Vice President Charles G. Dawes, John Hayes Hammond, Patrick Crowley, Samuel Insull, Thomas A. Edison, Professor Elihu Thomson, S. Z. Mitchell, Edward N. Hurley, R. F. Pack, president of the National Electric Light Association, C. H. Markham, Charles F. Brooker, Dr. Takuma Dan, director of the Mitsui Company, Japan, and many other nationally prominent figures have been sent to the family and friends of Mr. Coffin.

Works Closed Today

The offices of the General Electric Company will be closed throughout the country today. The simple funeral services will be held at Locust Valley, L. I., with Rev. Dr. Charles A. Hilton of St. John’s Church, Locust Valley, officiating. There will be no pall bearers, but a special train from New York will carry his personal friends and business associates from all parts of the country.

Dawes’ Tribute

“The death of Mr. Coffin is a loss to the entire country. His undaunted courage in the early development of the electrical power business of the nation, his vision and the confidence and kindliness with which he assisted its pioneers made him a unique figure in American industry. To his loyalty in their early days many concerns owe their present prosperity and existence. He, more than any other man, humanized the electrical industry everywhere in our country. His sympathy and friendliness with those in trouble in the difficult days will never be forgotten by them.

“In a marked degree the character of an organization is determined by that of its head, and the General Electric Company owes much of its prestige and present standing to the imprint of his genius and kindly personality. His great vitality and energy, though so largely drawn upon, never failed him, and remembering how well he seemed the last time I saw him, his death comes as a shock to tonight, he was saying goodbye to a dear and faithful friend. I know that thousands join us in sorrow.”

Wester’s Statement

“Charles A. Coffin was one of the great benefactors of mankind. His goal was the universal use of electricity in the street, the shop, the home, the field and forest, and in transportation. He never wavered in seeking this goal and his faith that it may be attained was complete. His enthusiasm was contagious, and his persuasiveness was not to be denied.

“He was inherently creative. He found work for thousands of others to do. His ability to foresee future development was extraordinary, and with this foresight was provision for all financial requirements. Out of his energy and activity grew electrical enterprises with invested capital of billions of dollars, with corresponding benefits to multitudes of humankind.

“He was a keen judge of men. The personnel of the management of the General Electric Company is of his individual selection.

“I like to think of him as a man and friend, rather than as a commercial and financial power. When I became his secretary in 1888 I discovered with some what of surprise that he showed exactly the same courtesy and consideration to the humble as to the great. His industry was limitless, but there was always happiness in work. Even then his benefactions were great and they steadily increased until during the World War they were enormous. He spent the first Thanksgiving day after I met him in procuring large subscriptions to aid a friend who was in financial difficulties.

“His conversational gifts were great. Where he sat was head of the table, as all who knew him will testify. His humor was lovable; it left no sting. His buoyancy and vivacity were irrepressible, and his temper was ever genial. Only once did I see him angry, and then because a group charged him with dishonesty. With tears in his eyes, he rebuked them so convincingly and vigorously that they stole away abashed.

“He loved literature, painting and nature. His knowledge of trees and shrubs and flowers was unique.

“No man was ever more faithful to friendship; his loyalty to old friends was absolute. As much as any man of his time, he helped to make this world a better place in which to live.

Statement of Rice

“No word can express adequately the grief and sense of personal loss which I feel at the death of Charles A. Coffin. For over 40 years he was my courageous leader, my wise counsellor and beloved friend.

“While Mr. Coffin did not possess a scientific or technical education, in all my experience I never have met one who showed such a lively interest in, and such an intelligent grasp of the significance and value of new scientific ideas or engineering developments.

“Mr. Coffin used the same methods, exercised the same imagination, the same inventive power, and the same rare vision in the field of finance that Edison has shown in the field of science and engineering.

“He was one of those great leaders who arise at critical periods in the world’s history and to whom men naturally turn for inspiration and guidance. His influence was not limited to the electrical manufacturing industry which he founded, but included all applications of the electrical science and art.

“He was the personification of industry, a constant stimulus to greater endeavor to all who were fortunate enough to come within his influence, and an ever living example of unselfish service.

Telegrams of Condolence

“Members of organization of this company, winners of the Charles A. Coffin medal in 1924, have learned with deep regret of the passing of Mr. Coffin, a man who for years has been an inspiration to all of us who are engaged in the public utility business. We want also through you to extend our deepest sympathy to the members of Mr. Coffin’s family in their great loss.” — Northern Texas Traction Company.

“Your telegram addressed to me at Philadelphia forwarded here. I sincerely regret the death of Mr. Coffin. He was indeed a wonderful man, and his accomplishments in behalf of the electrical industry will long be remembered and be of service to people everywhere. Please accept my sympathy and convey such sentiments to your associates and the members of Mr. Coffin’s family.” — Arthur W. Thomson, president Pittsburgh Railways.

“I join in paying respects to the memory of a man of commanding genius whose influence on the development of electrical and other industries is inestimable.” — Nikola Tesla.

“We wish to assure you of our sympathy and deep regret at the death of Charles A. Coffin.” The Niagara Falls Power Company.

“News of the death of Charles A. Coffin caused us to feel a profound sense of loss. His wise counsel, fundamental fairness, vision and keen judgment have contributed materially to the success of the Victor Company since our association with the General Electric Company. Please extend the sincere sympathy of the members of the Victor X-ray Corporation organization to the family in their bereavement.” — C. F. Samms.

“Profoundly shocked by sad news. Accept my sincerest sympathy for irreparable loss sustained in death of Mr. Coffin who did so much for prosperity of General Electric Company.” — Dr. Takuma Dan, director of the Mitsui Bussan Kaisha, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

“The lamented passing of Mr. Coffin removes from our business world an executive whose influence in the affairs of the General Electric Company and in the wider activities of our nation brought him not alone that success which is measured in material things but the highest rewards of service, including the honor, respect and admiration of all who knew him. Your loss is a national one.” — C. H. Markham, president Illinois Central Railroad.

“Charles A. Coffin was a man of superlative ability and of the very highest integrity and noblest ideals. His example has been an inspiration to all of us. The nation has lost a great patriotic citizen, and those privileged to know him, a most lovable and helpful friend.” — John Hays Hammond, Washington.

“Our dear friend, counselor and leader is gone but the results of his honest labor, great courage and clear vision will be here for all time. He fully realized that that electricity would revolutionize American homes, industries and farms. We should be grateful that he lived to see his dream of an electrified America become a reality.” — M. H. Aylesworth, managing editor, National Electric Light Association.