Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-07
PLEAS FOR PROTECTION.
IRON ORE AND PIG IRON MAN
UFACTURERs HEARD.

A Protest and RemOnstrance from the
Eastern Pig Iron Association Read
Higher Instead Of Lower Duties AdvO-
catsd-ManuCacturers Represented as
Disgusted with the Ineessant Agtta-
tiOn.
WASHINGTON, March 6.--The Ways
and Means Committee to-day listened to
arguments upon the iron ore and pig iron
schedules of the Morrison tariff bill. VIM.
A. Ingham, of Philadelphia, a manuiac-
turer of pig iron, and member of the
Eastern Pig Iron Association, read pa
per prepared by that association, touch
ing the duty on pig iron. The Eastern
Pig Iron Association earnestly protest
and demonstrate against the proposed re-
iuction of the duty on pig iron and
wrought scrap iron, and warn the COM
mittee and Congress of the alarming con-
sequences certain to follow such a reduc-
tiOn--ruin to American iron producers
and incalculable distress to their work
men.
HIGHER DUTY WANTED.
If there was anything to hope from the
plS. ut Congress, the association would
ask to have the duty on pig iron put at So
per ton, which is no more than would
overcome the difference in wages paid
abroad and athome. The duty on wrought
scrap iron should also be fixed at $40. To
conclude, the makers of pig iron are ut
terly weary of this continual nagging at
the tariff. Perpetual tinkering paralyzes
business, demOralizes trade and has re-
duced the makers to such state OF mind
that they would be glad to get back fifty
cents on the dollar of their money in
vested.
FREE TRADE PREFERABLE.
They would prefer free trade to the pro-
posed rate of duty, because they believe
that the stronger the dose the more rapid
will be the recovery of the patient. Mr..
Ingham said that free ore might injurious
ly affect the West, for fine Canadian ore
might take the place of Michigan ore.
Alabama and Tennessee ore producers
had begun shipping ore West at ruinous
prices, but within a short time they had
discovered that the prices were ruinous.
Mr.. MOrrison-They learned the secrets
Of the trade.
Mr.. McM1llin-Did they not look shields
with the association
MIR. Ingham-NO, SIR. In the iron trade
1t is every man for himself.
CHARCOAL IRON WORKERS.
Mr.. Wrestling, representing the United
States Association of Charcoal Iron
Workers, read paper protesting against
the passage of the Morrison bill. They
not only protested against the reduction
Of the duty on iron, but requested that the
rates prevailing prior to 1888 be restored,
that all duties be made specific, and that
s. addty be imposed to protect the manu-
faeturers of tin plate.
Mr.. Morrison remarked that it appeared
that the only free thing connected with
all this iron and s'eel Industry was air
''Yes, sir" retOrted the witness, ''every-
thing else costs labor" Laughter He
added that if the air came from Europe he
would tax it.
THE INDUSTRY IN VIRGINIA.
E. Burd Grubb, an ore producer from
Virginia, read setOf resolutions adopted
by the Virginia Legislature opposing re-
duction OF the duty on iron ore. He also
described the capacity and condition of
the iron works of Virginia. Nearly
S2000,000 annually are expended in the
Virginia coke furnaces alone. Let the
developments 90 on, and the South would
eventually produce all the steel needed
by this country.
NEEDED BY THE SOUTH.
If Pennsylvania ever needed protection
In the past, tue south needed it now. To
Mr.. Hewitt the witness said foreign ore
could not compete in Southern markets
with the native product, but he added,
every pound of Southern product was
sold in Northern markets.
Mr.. Throp, Pennsylvania iron maker,
said that ore should be protected. If the
South could get better ores and make
cheaper iron he would say: "GOd speed.
Let the South be built up"