The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-12
Not One Has Notified the Democratic
Tariff Thinkers at Washington that
He Desires to Be Heard.
IRON MANUFACTURERS SPEAK
Suspended PensiOner Restored on
Request of Mr.. Martin.
Geary Act Annulled After Conferences
with the Chinese Minister-Sena-
tors to Talk Two Weeks.
specisl to the indianapolis. journal.

Special the Indianapolis yourna,.
WAsHINGToN, Sept. 11.-It would seem
that the natural gas belt OF Indiana and
Ohio was utterly indifferent TO the work OF
the House committee on ways and means
IN the preparation of the new tariff law.
The clerk of the committee to-day in
formed the Journal correspondent that not
q word had been heard from any of tho
manufacturers in the natural gas belt and
that none of them was expected TO speak
upon the subject matters before the com.
mittee. Next Wednesday the plate-glass
industry of the United States will be heard
by the committee. Although there are
very large plate glass establishments CT
Kokomo, Alexandria and New Albany and
other places. no Intimation has been re-
ceived from either of them that hearing
was desired. Those who are expected to
address the committee will come from Sc.
Louis. Pittsburg and Philadelphia. The
same condition is true of the
flint and lime-glass trade. which
Is to be heard from BY the
ways and means committee on next
Thursday. There is scarcely natural-gas
town or city in Indiana or Ohio that has
not window-glass or fruit jar or bottle
manufactory, and yet none OF them have
asked to be heard by the committee fran.
ing the new tariff law. It would seem that
the manufacturers in the gas belt are con-
fident of their ability to successfully COM
pete with the manufacturers in any other
part of the conntry under any kind of q
tariff law. and that they are defying the
competition of Europe. which tho Demo-
cratic majority in Congress proposes TO in
vite under their new law. If any of the
glass manufacturers in the natural-gas
belt have any thing TO soy upon the sub-
jrct of their industries and the tariff they
should appear before the ways and means
committee on next Wednesday and Thurs'
day.
THE IRON INDUSTRY.
Tho iron and steel schedules were the
subjects of discussion in the ways and
means committee to-day. and q large dele
CATION representing nearly every promi-
nent iron ana steel mandatory In the
country was present. and endeavored TO
demonstrate TO the committee the inexpe.
dience of changing the tariff schedules on
the products in which they are Interested.
The delegation wac headed BY Joseph
Wharton. of Philadelphia. vice presidents
of the American Iron and Steel Association,
II. Ely, of Cleveland. o.; William X Ster.
ling, Chicsgo John Lambert, joliet. ILL.,
Col. A. Nj. Shook. Nashville. Tenn; Capt
II. S. Chamberlain, Chattanooga; Maj. q.
Nj. Laughlin, Charles Z. Gilpin and w. Z.
Cronemeyer. Pittsburg; David Reeves.
Philadelphia; +. w. Roebling. Trenton, y.
j.: L. H. Laufman. Apollo. Pa: James NJ.
Swank. Philadelphia. and Cyrus Elder.
Johnstown. Pa.
Mr.. Wharton was the first speaker. Hs
said that there were 10000 persons en-.
gagged in all capacities in the manufacture
of iron and steel. who represented popu-
lation of about $3.50 coo, who were depend
ent upon this industry for hvlihood. He
asserted that the present tariff was the
best which was ever imposed. and that IN.
der Its operation prices hao been reduced
to the consumer. I'VE want no change"
he sdded. Il believe the practice OF chang
ing the tariff Is one of the most noxions
things known 10 business interests. We
are now suffering from q condition OF dis
tress and strain whloh / suppose few peo-
pie outside of the industry are aware OF. IL
is by the destruction OF credit. Every
American in this business is borrower
and under the present condition or aiiairs
II is almost I'm possible to get money. 1t Is
not the silver question alone which has
brought this about. but the fear on the
part of manufacturers of adverse tariH leg
islsti0n" Continuing. Mr.. Wharton said
that all the iron and steel men wanted was
to be placed on equality with foreign
manufacturers. be wanted specific duty.
and SAID that under the ad valorem system
the foreigner defrauded the government by
uudervaluation of his goods. He remarked
that great de0l had been heard abont
''class legislation" which he characterized
as phantasy. a bugabOo. which had no
real existence.
Mr.. Wharton underwent a severe cross
examination Mt the hands of Dir. Turner, OF
Georgia, who endeavored to elicit the
statement that the great advances OF tho
iron and steel business in this country was
due more 20 natural ADVANTAGES and I'M
proved machinery than TO the tariff bill.
Mr. Wharton took the position that IL was
due TO both causes. And went further.
He declared that even with the natural al.
vantsges and improved macbinery. the
home producers GOULD not com pete with the
foreigner on equal terms without the aid
of the tariff
TURNER CATCHES TARTAR.
During the adroit examination carried
on by Mr.. Turner, the speaker was asked
what advantage he wanted at the hands Of
Congress over his foreign competitor.
Well" answered Mr.. Wharton. "wo
will say, for instance. that during period
of turmoil between this and @ foreign
country our army was generated by one OF
this committee. We rs Americans. would
expect. yes demand of that general that
he would use every means IN his power.
every strategy which would accrue TO the
advantage OF the Americans"
but this is not a question of war; said
Mr.. Turner.
II think it 10, sir" Laughter.
How much advantage do you wantn
again inquired Mr. Turner.
well. now. If you had been where Han.
cocks army was"
Il was there. but unfortunately on the
other side llaughterl and found that they
had quite decided advantage. hope you
do not want as muchp blandly replied the
Georgia representative.
The next speaker was Hon. George III.
Ely, of Cleveland. o., president of the
Western Iron Ore Association, who main
tained that SIS2. coo. 0C0 was invested in the
iron ore industry OF the country. employ
ing about So 600 men, and that n reduction
of the tariff would be ruinous to those in
GuetrIes.
VIM. X. Sterling. of Chicago. first vice
president OF the Illinois Steal Company.
stated that the companies which formed
rhc Illinois Steel Company employed $500
men. paying In wages S6.OO0.0S0 n year.
which. under tariff reduction. would
necessarily be reduced materially.
John Lam bert of Illinois. wee president
of the Consolidated Wire and Steel Com
pany. of Joliet. dwclt briefly on che posi-
tion that tariff duties decreased rather
than increased the price of wire and steel
TO the consumer.