New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-24
ANDREW CARNEGIES VILWS.

CONDITION OF THE STEEL AND IRON TRADE
CAUSE AND CURE OF THE PRESENT DEPRESSION.
A TRIBUNE reporter called one evening last
week upon Andrew Carnegie, who recently returned
from Europe. Mr.. Carnegie was found in his rooms
at the Windsor Hotel. and upon being asked for his
opnion OF the condition prospects the steel and
iron trade he said:
think this consler that the whole world Is taking
a rest at present after period Of unusual act iy Dur
ing this period manufacturers generally increased the
capacity of their works greatly. They sufficient
to supply tho whole world were II as abnormaly active
as 1t is the reverse But great loss is entaod by
taiment OF production the works kept RAINING TO
their full capacity, although prices have fallen TO figures
which leave even those manufacturers who have un-
usually favorable facilities little or no profit and entail
positive loss upon the average manufacturer II the
same In England hero. One Of the largest miners OF
coal IN the world told me last month that he could only
gare profit OF four cents per ton upon the coal mined
nv his firm. IN the steerail manufacture the
don OF affairs exists und the great woolen and cotton
weaving houses scarcely in better circumstances.
as this depression likely to continue loner
ain my opinion no revival take place before next
sprig Much rs regret say 1t, believe that matters
viii grow worse months before manufact turing
interests can reach profitable business mach more
decided curtaiment OF produ on must take place be-
fore there he any improvement This will be brought
about naturally by the prevalence OF snch rinous prices
will compel manufacturers TO stop producing Soods IN
advance OF the country's needs.
Arc the steel and iron manufacturing firms OF this
country sound. do you fear panic!"
They are generally sound While there may be few
failures here ana there, nothing like panic Is possible
ar.org them"
Has the Change from iron to steel rails and the
seouert ecoromy in the wear and tear OF rails made
such shrinkAge IN the yearly consumption the part
OF old railway limos 10 be felt by manufacturers"
"No not yet II will doubt be a factor Of great
Importance in the future AT present is not The life
OF steel rail is lvo times that OF an iron rail- and that is
1--WE years Now tho percentage OF steel rails In use
longer than years Ia quite small The steel rail- has
entirely taken the place OF the iron rail IN the United
States. and yet at present in spite Of TIE superiority Of
The depression IN the former Is not due TO reduced con-
sumption In spite o. the times this years consump
ton viii be about million and half tons This fearful
depression caused by the Increase in the capacity OF
works geners @ saeG oeoe AS a Sro5n Ec
ton of 10000 tons Ins year we produce more than
100 900 tons"
What Is the present price of steel rails"
AbOut S37 per ton at the mill. a. 80
Can steel rails no manufactured at profit at that
Speaking generally There may be one or two
mills owning their raw nateFais-lnark that, owning
their raw msterais-thSt may make iracOn"' Prou'S d"
How about TIE laborers emplo eyed in steel and front"
ont OF the twelve steel mills two have recently had
disputes with their men, aud the works have been
stopped in consequence Labor Is al t1at 'ne wpfhng
to reductions OF wages when snch are necessary in
mid at,the mills on the seaboar Of the United States
To-day are about as be expected to take.
In the West, Notwithstanding recent agreement OF the
men accept reduction OF 30 per cent II now seems
probable, the very unsatisfactory outlook, tha
they will have he asked 10 work for still less. In our
district OF Pittsburg rule IL to mike bargain IN
December with To govern the coming year Ils
ire mas worked very hardly for our SIDE for the past
years. the market has been constantly falling In
! this way have been and are sill making much
higher wages than either 10 the eaet or the west
OF Pittshurg. But reduction Of wage ID inevitable III
our district though do not apprehend that there Will
be any trouble about II, men are intelligent and
will doubt deal fairly with US now as they nave In
| times past 40
| "Wha; are your views about trades uniOnsl"
ave la unions in PlttsbuIg and also ia all the mills
west OF u.s. except ST. Louis but no mill east OF US VIII
tolerate them We have always held that In this frea
country our men a right to belong 10 any UNION
they please And up TO the present hour our relations
with unions have been satisfactory believe
the tradesunion is OF great benefit TO the men, and has
certainly developed many most able As rule tho
more intelligent labor the less difficult II Is TO deal with
IT. II capital only asks for what is fair and just"
DO you look for any prorcted strikes In these inter
i estsi"
No; the situation 10 much too serious. Unless the
market improves will readily see that II Is a
question Of work at price work at ALL They
will therefore be ready 70 meet aEy reasonaO demand
made by their employers"