Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-26
STEEL MEN AROUSED.
A Big Kick Against Reducing
the Tariff on Rails.
SECRET MEETINGS HELD.
Alarming Washington RumOrs Call
the Makers Together.
WINDOW PLATEGLASS MEN CONFER

I The steel rail men of the country are
alarmed over the reports coming from WASH
ington that the Republican members Of the
ways and Means Committee propose
heavy reduction on steel rails. The present
duty is S17 90 per ton, and the proposition
has been made to cut down the tariff to SO.
A few days ago when Colonel Bayne, who is
a member of the committee, was in town he
was asked if steel rails would be reduced.
The Colonel replied in a general way that
the tariff would not be cut, except in very
few cases where it was no longer needed, but
that the general tendency was to advance
duties, especially on certain articles that
have been neglected in the past.
AN EARNEST PROTEST.
As result of these reports, an important
meeting of steel Sail manufacturers was held
yesterday morning at the Offices of Carnegie,
Phipps & Co., to protest against the pro-
posed reduction. All the important steel
rail companies in the United States were
represented. For the Illinois Steel Com
pany were o. W. Potter, j. c. Hutchins,
W. r. Sterling and c. W. De Paw; G.
Henry White, Secretary of the Phenixville
Iron Company, represented that firm. Repre-
sentatives also from the Penr ovlvania Steel
Company, the Cambria Iron Company, Car
negie Bros. s. Co., the Pottsville Iron Com
pany and the Allentown Steel Works were
there.
UNITED IN DENUNCIATIoE.
A very spirited meeting was held. Every
man present denounced the prospective cut,
if indeed, it is contemplated, and number
of kilograms from the Illinois Steel Com
pany and the other firms were read, in which
they offered 10 send delegates to Washing
ton to convince Congressman that the trade
couldn't stand reduction in duties
Another important meeting of the same
gentlemen was held at the Anderson Hotel
last evening, and the conference will be
continued to-day. MIR. o. w. Potter pre-
sided at the evening gathering. What was
done could not be learned. All the gentle
men present refused 10 talk, or expressed
themselves in glittering generalities 1t
was reported that they were steel beam
manufacturers, and the presence of Chair
man Abbott and Vice Chairman Curry, who
have charge of this department of the Car
negie interests, gave credence to the report. |
1t was stated that they met to consider the |
tempt to fix up prices and limit production, |
to prevent glut in the market.
KNOCKED THEM OUT.
But young Mr.. DePauw knocked these |
stories into cooked hat. He said the men |
present represented all branches of the iron |
and steel industries. So far as he was con-
cerned his firm never made a steel beam. k
He claimed that trade was dull, and neither
iron nor steel were making much money;
and they met to see what could be done.
When asked if they had not been dis
cussing the proposed tariff reduction he
passed over the subject jocularly, as if it |
was a mere bagatelle, a light Joke. He |
hadn't heard of it, and it was ridiculous to |
talk about it, yet he politely declined to tell
what had transpired at the meeting.
The general supposition of dealers and
men on the outside is that, though the pres
ent House is Republican, some of the men,
bers, particularly the Western Representa-
tives, favor cut in the duties on iron and
steel products. and it is to head off any such
movement that brought the manufacturers
together.
WHEN THEY MEET.
The Steel Beam Association, or rather the
manu- facturerers of structural iron, organ
lied three years ago. They meet every once
in while to discuss the price list and fix
up Irregularities.
A conference of window plate glass man.
ufacturers was also held at the Anderson
Hotel yesterday morning to arrange prices
The gentlemen could not agree, and they
adjourned to meet in New York in a few
weeks. An advance in prices is contem-
plated, but they couldn't agree on the per-
centage. The plate glass men are not or
ganized, but there are not many of them in
10 foo /
derstanding. The contracts are generally
divided among the companies according to
geographical location. One of the objects
of the meeting yesterday was with reference
70 the distribution of some heavy orders.
'TwoULD BE DISASTROUS.
H. c. Friek, chairman of Carnegie Bros.
& Co., was asked yesterday what the effect
of the proposed tariff legislation on steel
rails would be. 1t is authoritively stated
in Washington that the Republican mem
bers of the Ways and Means Committee
want to have the duty reduced from the
present rate of $17 90 per ton to $40. The
members think $40 will afford ample pro-
lection to the American manufacturers.
Mr.. Friek said:
81 think if such legislation was enacted,
its effect would be disastrous on the steel
rail industry in this country. Of course the
American manufacturers could stand it for
8 little while on account of the condition of
the business, both in this country and in
England. We are running full at Besse-
mer, although there is no demand at present
for rails. With the coming of spring 1
think the demand should be heavy. 1
would not like to see the tariff reduced"
Among those present at the plate glass
meeting were Captain j. B. Ford, of the
Pittsburg Plate Glass Company, and w. D.
Keyes and C. w. De Pauw, of New Albany,