The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-11-17
T FORESIGHT.
AN ENGLISH IRON MASTER.

ar1NrpsE OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ON
THE IRON BUsINEss-HIs OPINIONS NOT
In both England and America, the name
of Mr.. L. Lowthian Bell stands high among
the intelligent and wealthy iron masters of
the former country. He is the man who
was called before a special commission to be
examined in regard to the condition OF the
| mining and smelling interests of England,
which was called to investigate the asser-
Lion that the Goals OF the country were IN
danger of exhaustion, and also the cause OF
| high prices of Goals. His statements at
tracted general attention, and were widely
quoted on this side the water. Mr.. Bell, with
his son, Mr.. Charles Lowthian Bell, has
| been in the United States some months, and
will remain for several weeks longer, until
he has visited all the leading iron and
mining works of this country. Through
the special and urgent invitation OF Prof.
Z. 7. Cox, Mr.. Bell has made a brief visit to
the State of Indiana, and given oneday (yes-
terday) to looking at some objects of interest
in this city. Want of time to spare rem
| dered it impossible for him to go out TO the
coal fields to make a personal inspection OF
| the mines and furnaces, but he has OF
| course had full opportunities of examining
! Indiana Goals of all the various characters,
and will test them more fully when he goes
toSt. Louis where these Goals are largely used
in the reduction of the Iron Mountain ore.
A reporter Of the Sentinel. who called upon
Mr.. Bell was received with much cordiality,
and the conversation of the gentleman was
full of wise suggestion and instruction.
Without attempting to reproduce language
of an informal Interview, some ofthe points
in relation to his visit here, and some or his
views will be OF interest. He was not pre-
pared to offer any opinions for publication
as these will be given In a formal report af-
ter having returned TO England with the
data gathered, he has carefully digested all
the facts. Then be will makes report which
will be studied with deep interest by both
countries and no doubt be widely pub
lished. Hes said that he was not now at
tempting to reach any conclusions
even for himself, but was very
HARD AT WORK
| collecting facts and Information which it
would be necessary to collect aud compare
in the quiet of his private Office. Mr.. Bell
frankly admitted that the object of his in
/ yestigations in this country is to determine,
so far as be can, the effect which American
iron manufacture is likely to have on the
| British iron trade abroad. You Americans,
SAID he, rave already turned your backs
upon us, and now weare DESTROYS to know
how far you are likely to be able to make
other people do the same thing. From this
point he entered into a discussion of much
interest and considerable length. Being
asked the truth concerning the more de-
clint of the English iron manufacture and
the apprehended exhaustion of Goals, he
stated that no hopes of Americas advan-
tage need be built on that. There had
been an alarming advance in the
cost of coal. That it was important, he said,
might be inferred from the fact hat the diff
terence increased the expenses of the COM
pany to which he belonged S1,000,00 0 Der an
num-. But the cost of coal was due to other
causes than scarcity or an expected failure
of the supply. OF the two countries he said
4 that Erpo1ond hos unonu ADVANTAGE nvar tho
United States. You can not put-your finger
down, said be, on any spot in Great
Britain which is more than 100 miles from
the seacoast. From his works iron could
be put on board a ship which would carry it
to China at a cost not to exceed seven or
eight cents per ton. The elements of your
greatness, are in some respects
elements of weakness. This is a country
of magnificent distances, and these long
transportations are uufriendly to the produc-
tion of iron for expectation. Again, If you
had here the capital to engage in this bust
ness. where would you get the labor? You
must have men, and it would be difficult to
obtain them. You are now troubled with
strikes by the few laborers you have. The
question turns largely upon labor. That
country which, by its natural facilities for
producing manufactured iron, which can
pay the best prices for labor and still under
sell the other, would, of course, be able to
command the labor in the end. But there
are many elements which enter into this
complicated problem of iron manufacture
for commerce. Qualities of Goals and ores
were only one thing. There are the market,
the means of transportation, the cost of
labor, skill in the business, stability of con-
ditions and the like, which must all be
carefully figured out.
INDIAN HAS EXCELLENT GOALS.
MIR. Bell did not hesitate to express his
admiration of the mineral resources of the
state. AS to the best point for establishing
manufactures of iron he was not decided.
Sometimes it is best to take the ores to the
coal fields, sometimes vice versa, and in some
at an intermediate locality. It was evident
that so far as he had an opinion regarding
this state, it inclined to favor the establish
ment of works upon the coal fields. In
reply to a question if he had in view a pos
sible removal or recommendation of capital
to this country, he said he had no such de-
signs for himself; he was too far advanced
in years; sill he might possibly do some
thing ON behalf of others. The reporter in
ferred that his SON was in his mind. Mr..
Bell expressed very warmly his apprecia.
ton of the kindness and attention shown
him in this country. Said he, 1 shall never
be able to repay one-half the kindness have
experienced in the United States, and he
repeated the sentiment more than once. He
was sincerely pleased with the citv of In
dianapolis, and Notwithstanding the con-
trast in the ways of doing things in the old
country and here, he believed our WAYS
were undoubtedly the best for us. He spoke
with interest of our manufactures, especially
the planning works, and also the pork pack
ing establishments, the largest of which he
has been through. Mr.. Bell paid the highest
compliments possible to Prof. Cox, as being
a man b is thoroughly posted on the
mineral interests of the state, an enthusiast
tic worker not for himself, but for the State
of Indiana. The commonly received de-
scriptions of John Bull do not apply to this
great business Englishman. HIS is more
like the wide awake American. About 60
years of age, his head is bald and whiskers
gray, but he Is not fat nor slow. On the
contrary, he Is in manner exceedingly
quick, nervous and energetic. Neither has he