The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-05-19

William l.. Scott, oil IennsylVanlu,
got hold Of the business end Of the buzz
saw when he attacked Andrew Carnegie
in his speech on the Mills bill. 1t was
not supposed that the great iron master
would remain silent under such strict
ures as were made by the Erie States
man." He writes as follows to Secre-
Rotary swank, OF the Iron and Steel AS
sociation:
In reply to your INJURY, beg to state
exactly what occurred between Mr..
Scott and myself in the rooms Of the
Ways and Means Committee, at WASH
ington. said to Mr.. Scott:
"You have been making speeches
around the country, saying that | would
not consent to become an American citi-
zen, and that was foreigner, proliting
by the high tariff"
Mr.. Scott stated that hehad made that
statement undera Misrepresentation, and
he now knew it was not true. He had
read triumphant Democracy" and
knew that was an intensely patriotic
American. He promised not to repeat
it. Isaid:
"Therais another statement you have
made, which is equally incorrect, viz:
That | took Sl,500,0O0 Of dividends
from my manufacturing interests in one
II gave away 81, COCOON one year, to
found three public libraries, and had
given 100000 before, and ] explained
TO Mr.. Scott that these libraries would
not be finished for several years. MIR.
Scott appeared satisfied with the ex-
PLANTATION, and said that was entitled TO
credit for the disposition | had made and
was making OF my means.
$50 far from ever having drawn
81 100000 from our firm in one year, l
never have drawn $l,O00,O00, nor $780,
goo, nor any sum approaching it. The
money that we have earned has mainly
gone into new and improved works, to
develop still further the resources OF this
great Republic. So far from the steel
rail industries in this country having
been excessively profitable, the capital
invested has scarcely yet received mod
crate return. There are eleven large
steel rail manufacturing works in Amer
lea, and OF these five have failed and
been recognized, two Of them twice.
There is no steel rail monopoly. Any
body is free to enter upon the manuiac-
turc OF steel rails. There are no pat
eBas."
II Mr.. Scott really believes the profits
OF the iron and steel business were be-
yond the average, 1t is strange that he
did not continue TO operate the mill at
Erie, in which he once embarked. He
can today purchase the shares OF most
of the steel rail manufacturing concerns
in this country for less money than
there is capital invested. AS for one
steel rail manufacturing concern making
s. 600. 600 per annum, all the steel rail
OF the country will not make
s, zoo, 600 profit this year, nor anything
like so great a sum. With capacity to
double the amount OF rails
required, the steel rail mills OF this
country have nothing to look forward to
for some time but severe struggle to
run part OF their works and maintain
their organizations. The present price
OF rails, $50 at works, shows what We
have to expect.
Scott has also got into trouble in as
sorting that he paid his workmen more
than Carnegie. Since his retort to Con-
gresham Dalzcll's review of his speech,
SCOTS record has been looked up, and
the following letter in SCOTS own hand
writing has been unearthed:
ERIE, Pa, March 8, 1885.
Jane, Maiihar, Esq., Superintendent, Scott Haen
Pa;
DEAR SR-Your letter to Mr.. Taylor,
Treasurer, advising him that the men
were willing to go to work Mt cents
per bushel, but were not willing TO enter
INTO a contract until the first OF Februa-
-y, 1856, has been handed me by Mr..
Tnylnr
You can read this letter to the men,
md say to them mean just what say.
rhey can have a reasonable time to con-
,ider this, although every day they post
zone their decision lessons their chance
4 steady work during the season. and
I thew do not accept this proposition,
,ou will then serve them with notices
o yacate the houses, close up your store
md arrange to securepasture during the
ummer for your stock.
YouB truly, wy. L; scoTT,
at will be noticed" says the Pitts
.,,-.,L Ty,ne, Hthnt the gentleman orders