Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-11-28
WHEELING w. Va MONDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 28 1882.

subject a construction engineer who is
we'll acquainted with the cost OF max
ing rails and beams said: 1.-The mill
can sell the latter at cents and make
A GOOD PROFIT,
and to talk of close margins when they
are buying Bessemer pig at SIS, which
is an extreme price, and selling stand
ard rails here at $50, is absurd"
The situation in other leading
branches OF industry represented here
was found to be equally good. The
vice-president OF one of the largest
concerns making many lines Of heavy
iron and steel goods said: "0ur profits
are large. We export many lines OF
goods to Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America. Hence we have no
dread OF European competlon. Wecan
and do undersell European makers OF
the same lines of goods in any of the
markets mentioned. But we could
make some lines of goods much cheaper
were it not for the high duties we pay
on certain classes of foreign iron and
steel we use. We do, however, sell to
foreigners for less money than we get
at home. But we do not work In any
direction for glory"
LEATHER.
Mr.. Grey, of Grey, Clark & Engle,
one of the largest tanning and finishing
establishments In the country, said:
1.-THE prospect of a reduction OF the
duty on foreign leather does not bother
us in the least. The product OF our es-
tablishment largely consists of finished
leather, and particularly fine calf and
kid skins. Our output increases every
year, and the current one has been by
far the largest. We did not build up
our business with the aid OF protection,
but by making goods Of superior quality
and finish, and handling every depart
ment In a business-like manner. When
we cannot make money without illegiti-
mate help, and cannot do 1t by making
goods that will sell at profit because
of their superiority. we will close up"
Another tanner, who declined the use
OF his name. said: American leather.
producers have nothing to fear from
foreigners. They now make calf skins
that in English markets arc preferred
to the best French skins because they
possess superior flrmness.
ALL THE PROTECTION
a well-eQuipped American tanner needs
is free raw material Of every kind. IL
is true that labor is cheaper In Europe,
but this is more than balanced by the
great advantage American tanners pos
sess in superior machinery and the
higher degree of intelligence with
which it is handled"
Referring to the labor question, a
gentleman well versed In mining mat
tiers said: "There are few American in
dustries that make better profits or pay
better wages than the makers OF mining
machinery. That they do not need
protection or flourish under 1t is proven
by the fact that Chicago's and other
manufacturers who are far removed
from the seaboard annually ship liberal
quantities of such machinery TO Eng-
land and the Continent. They are also
virtually the masters OF the trade In
such goods in every other part Of the
world.
A SINGLE CONCERN
here ships goods to eighteen foreign
countries. The same Is largely true OF
the manufacturers Of agricultural ma
{ inery and implements. These goods
90 everywhere. 1t Is intelligence In the
workmanship and careful direction OF
the general business management that
furnish the best protection to our fur
naces, rolling-mills, machine-shops, and
factories, and not high duty. The
latter begets slothfulness, extravaganza
In management, aud deprlves those that
receive it of self-reliance and personal
respect"
A notable features OF the interviews
In every direction was the strongly ex-
pressed confidence In the ability aud In
tegrity of Mr.. Cleveland. Even the
most pronounced advocates OF high pro-
tective duties expressed abiding faith
that Mr.. Cleveland would "neither ad-
wise" nor permit tariff changes that
would PROSTATE American industries.
They also expressed faith that the
Presldent-eIect would not allow any
meddllng with the finances Of the
country that would derange credits or
cause uneaslness In business or indus
trial circles in any direction. One per-
son remarked: "Well, If the Democrats
do destroy our protection, Cleveland
will give US a sound currency and we
can wriggle along"