Behind the Frick Lab gift

Concerning the upcoming transformation of old Frick Lab (Campus Notebook, Jan. 16): There may have been more to Henry Clay Frick’s intentions for his gift. In his book Princeton, Robert Gambee ’64 notes: “The Frick Chemical Laboratory was donated by Henry Clay Frick, a Pittsburgh steelmaker who originally had thought of helping to establish a law school. President Hibben persuaded him to donate a chemical laboratory instead.” This citation tastefully omits Frick’s questionable record in industrial relations. President Hibben’s action deserves full credit. Many of us have enjoyed old Frick’s wisteria-draped gothic entrance and studied in its elegant, ­wood-paneled library.