Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-11-28
Expressed By Business Men Regarding
the Tariff.
IRON AND LEATHER MEN TALK.
Interviews With Manufacturers in
Chicago and Elsewhere Con-
nected With These Industries
No Fear Of Ruin, or Of Foreign
Competition, or Of a Necessity
to Reduce Wages-Abiding
Faith in Mr.. Cleveland.

l6dQluR UuelucSo mOA hOAO NA VIZ SSA
ness outlook In view of the election re-
suit:
The Chicago agent Of the Springfield
Iron Works and Rolling Mills said: II
have no fears In regard to lower tariff
on the class Of goods we make, which
includes merchant iron, miscellaneous
railway supplies, and light rails for
mines, etc. Nor will a reduced tariff
hurt any Industry that is founded on
real merit. 1t is only the slovenly
managed concerns that need pro-
lection, and such establishments
have no right to exist. AS for the
American iron industry, it has suffered
greatly from protection, because this
has stimulated the erection OF more fur
naces, mills, and foundries than were
required to supply the legitimate wants
Of the country. The consequence was
repeated periods of overproduction fol-
lowed by trade prostration and ruinous
prices. What we want is free competi-
| tion, and then, with our finely equipped
establishments, we
CAN TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.
Nor is there any danger that wages
will be reduced by lower duties.
Mr.. Wheeler, of Picans, Brown & Co.,
manufacturers and dealers In pig iron,
said: 1--WE have little fear from any re-
duction that may be made in the tariff.
We are too far removed from foreign
competition. The only concerns that
would nnder any condition be affected
are those on or near the seaboard.
When asked If the superiority OF Amer
icau iron plants and the intelligence
with which they were handled did not
render it impossible for foreign pro-
ducers TO compete with them, he said:
THE chief trouble would be at times
when European iron manufacturers
have accumulations which they are
willing to force off, regardless Of
profits. OF course such competition
would be illigimate and, while it lasted,
unhealthy"
The assistant sales agent of the Car
| negIe Steel Company, Limited, said:
1--WE are full of business, and do not
think Mr.. Cleveland will allow his
party to do anything wrong, and so far
as know our people
WILL KEEP RIGHT ALONG.
The Homestead troubles are virtually
settled and we shall Immediately be
producing up to the full capacity Of our
mills"
A representative of the great con-
structlng firm OF Sneed g. Co. said:
ttIUo ko.dla lor0a opoDtfttaS of qtruo.
tural iron and steel. Our observation is
that intelligent makers OF such goods
have no fears of injury by any tariff re-
duction that Is likely TO be made.
We think that the duty on good
many lines should be reduced, but as
the cheapening OF prices would largely
increase the consumption, the mills
would gain by the change, and they
| fully understand the fact, no matter
how differently they may talk. also
think that the pronounced verdict that
the people recently gave at the polls
has done much to increase confidence
in business and industrial circles, as II
showed that the sentiment was strongly
iu favor of a change. In brief there
was an absence Of faith in the party In
Cleveland. You will, however, find
some croakers, as
THEY NEVER DIE OUT,
or shut up, no matter how prosperous
times may be-"
C. S. Merwin. Of Roger Brown e. Co.,
makers Of and dealers In pig iron, said:
II think the outlook for the iron trade
good. We are largely interested In
Southern iron works, and have no fears
that our business will be hurt should
the duty on pig and other iron be re-
duced. The iron industry of this coun-
try is too large and too firmly rooted to
fear foreign competition. OF course
some concerns that are unfavorably sit
uated, or whose equipments are in keep
ing with those In use aquarter Of CEN
tury ago, may have to close; but that
don't prove that we want protec-
tion, as such concerns have lost
their standing aud would have
to close unless kept going by additional
subsidy. As for manufactured iron and
other goods into which pig largely ent-
ers, the fact that our sales have not de-
creasd since the election. and that our
business so far the current month Is
larger than for the same time last year,
is proof that there is not much uneasy
ness among iron and steel producers.
A representative Of the Illinois Steel
Company said: "We
ARE VERY BUSY
at present, but do not like to forecast
the future. II the tariff is largely re-
dueed wages must come down to cor
respond with the cheapenIng Of iron and
steel. But think we shall be able to
keep along"
1t may be proper to state 10 connec-
tion with this expressed fear about
lower duties that the chief officials of
this company have repeatedly been
credited with saying that they could
produce steel rails and sell them TO
Canadian roads cheaper than the latter
could buy them from foreign mills. 1t
is also we'll known that the officials
pride themselves in the fact that the
Illinois Steel Company has the best
constructed and most cheaply operated
blast-furnaces. converters, and roll,
| ing plants In the world. and tb<
claim Is conceded by many or Ne
best iron and steel experts. Such Rsine
the case they have no cause Ia fear
| foreign competition. They may3 how
ever. and no doubt do, dread Z keduc.
| tion Of profits. which those Who 4rs ia
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