The New York herald., 1873-11-21
AMERICAN IRON AND STEEL.


Representative Manufa cturers i'm Council
Concerning tho Interests OF the Trade.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20. 1873.
The annual meeting OF the Iron and Steel Asso-
citation was held to-day in this city, Samuel J.
Reeves President, in the chair. Owing TO the fact
that very short notice was given the meeting was
not so largely attended as would have been the
case under more favorable circumstances. Among
those who were present were Messrs. Samuel
j. Reeves, OF the Phoenix Iron Com
pany, Ph9nixvile, Pa; X H. Lambern,
OF the Pennsylvania Steel Company, Philadelphia
f. b. Pratt, OF the Buffalo Iron and Nail Company,
Buffalo; Hon. ID. J. Morrell, OF the Cambria iron
Company, Johnstown. Pa. ; J. B. Moorehead, OF the
Mercer Furnaces, UonshohocKen, Pa: James
Park, Jr., OF PttsDurg; James j. Bennett, OF Pitts
burg; F. W. Noble OF Detroit, Mich. r. G. Hannah
| or Chicago; Charles Wheeler, OF Baltimore: VIII
| liam H. Norris OF Morris. Wheeler Co., Philadel
| phia. Joseph wharton, Bethlehem Iron Company,
PENNSYLVANIA; Hon. G. Dawson Coleman, Lebanon
| Furnaces, Lebanon, Pa; Dr. Q. 8. Wurtz, Cambria
| Iron Company, Pennsylvania, and John II. Brown,
| or John II. Brown 4 Co.. Wayne Iron and Steel
| Works, Pittsburg, Pa.
The Presidents address occupied half an hour in
delivering, and embraced large number OF topics,
completely reviewing the business OF the associa-
tion and the condition OF the iron trade Touching
the question OF iron shipbuilding. ne maintained
that it was the duty OF Congress to protect our
shipping interests from the attacks OF freetraders,
expressing his dissatisfaction with the resolution
recently passed by the National Board OF Trade,
sitting at Chicago, in which they ex-
pressed their belief that the time had
come when Congress should allow foreign
built ships to be registered by the United States.
He asserted that America can supply as cheap and
build as good ships as England or Scotland.
In referring to our relations with Europe in the
supply OF iron and steel, he said we have passed
the point Of dependence. We are now independ-
ent OF the whole world. We have SKILL we have ores
coal and capital II there is no adverse legislation
by Congress, we VIII be able from this time forth
to supply our own demand for iron and steel OF
every description, and to export these articles TO
our neighbors. We now make all kinds OF pig iron
except spiegeleisen and we will ultimately be en-
abled to dispense with its Importation An agent
Tor the sale OF railroad iron IN New York city has
acknowledged that his business in this country for
the sale Of English iron and steel rails is at an end
II our tarin laws remain as they now are. Commits
sion men OF that city no longer opponents OF the
sale OF American rails, for they are seeking
agencies under home establishments in order to
continue the business. The proposed visit to
America OF the members OF the British Iron ana
steel Institute was very pleasantly referred to.
He hoped the association would welcome the
visitors warmly, and endeavor by all the means
in their power to give them proper impression
OF the greatness OF the iron industry Of the
country.
The Secretary, Mr. James NJ Swank, read short
business report, after which his annual report
was submitted to the association.
The report OF the Treasurer, Mr. Charles Wheeler,
was read. ii shows satisfactory financial condi-
tion.
STEEL RAILS.
Hon. ID. ]. Morrel referring to the Presidents
address, said -''Our supply OF steel rails is
equal TO the demand, and we will be able TO control
our own markets hereafter II prices IN England do
not greatly recede that her manufacturers win
be able TO ship steel rails TO this country In
OF this possible event protection mnst still be
tinued. He also said that it was a matter OF deep
significance that the English government
'nfSga tser to
progress in iron making. They even sent
the Second secretary Of the Legation at Washing
ton on an extended tour throughout the country
TO observe the eject upon our industries OF the
recent panic"
The following oficers we're elected for the pres
President, S. ]. Reeves; Vice Presidents, A. S.
Hewitt E. B. Ward, 5. NJ FELTON,, James d. Ben
wheeler; Secretary. James Nj. Swank.
:, Executive Committees j.. Reeves: A. S.
Park Jr:, Percival Roberts, James J. Bennett,
Robert d. LaIneorn, Alfred Hunt, E. J. Townsend,
stone and Etward Harrison.
Messrs James Park, Jr., James ]. Bennett, r. W.
Noble and Joseph Wharton made short addresses
SR2{G SRR{ods ee condition of the trade and the financial
Mr.. Park, Jr., also spoke OF the necessity of uni
formity OF duties collected iron and steel at the
various ports Of entry.
Mr. James J. Bennett. from the committee, re-
ported as sentiment series or resolutions which
were unanimously adopted.
The resolutions ascribe the general prosperity OF
the iron interests TO tarln protection, assert that
present embarrassments do not result from the
action OF iron manufacturers, and that the adop-
tion OF wise financial measures by Congress will
enable our people to supply all iron and steel for
home use and rival older nations in the
worlds markets; condemn the reduction OF
10 per cent in duties under the law OF June g. 1872;
advocate free banking and an adequate supply OF
currency, with requisite provision for nexbllity;
urge uniformity oil the tarir construction through
out the Unon credit the growth OF American ship
building 10 the Registry law expressing the belief
that, under It's protection, with our manu-
featuring improvements, we win be enabled
to capture the carrying trade OF the country,
inland and foreign, greatly to our prosperity in
peace and strength IN war, and expressing the be-
lief that free trade IN ships would lead only to
national loss condemn the power given to q
siugle creditor 70 force debtor into bankruptcy
against hts interests and that OF his creditors
generally; also welcome to this country dele
cation from the Iron and steel Institute OF Great
Britain.
Mr.. Bennett moved that when this association
adjourn IL shall adjourn TO meet in Philadelphia
the first Wednesday in February, 1874, and that
other iron associations be requested through
their secretaries TO meet with us In joint conyen-
ton on the following day. Adopted.
The association tnen adjourned.