Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-12
ABOUT iron ANDSTEBL.
representatives of Those Industries
Before the Committee.
DOMINANT ANY TARIFF CHANGE
They Are Satisfied With the
Bounties Paid Them by the
Mckinley Bill-Over Two Mil
lion People Said to Be Inter
ested In Iron and Steel-Mr.
Turner Asks Some Pointed
Questions.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., September IL
The iron and steel schedules were dis
cuSsed In the Ways ana Means Commit
tee, and large delegation, represent
ing nearly every prominent iron and
steel manuiactory in the country, was
present ani endeavOred 70 demonstrate
to the committee the ineIpediency Of
changing the tariff schedules on the
products in which they are interested.
The delegation was headed by
Joseph Wharton, Of Philadelphia,
Vice President Of the Ameri-
can Iron and Steel Association
aud was composed Of the following:
George H. Ely, Of Cleveland, o.; VIM.
Sterling, Chicago; John Lambert, Jol-
let, Ills; Col. A. NJ. Shook, Nashville,
Tenn; Capt. II. 5. Chamberlain, Chat
tanooga; James Sedden, Birmingham,
Ala; NJ. j. Laughlin, Charles Gilpin
and w. G. CrOnemeyer, Pittsburg;
David Reeves and James NJ. Swank,
PhiladeiDhia; 7. w. RoeOing, Trenton,
n. J.; z. II. Laufman, Apollo, Pa,
and Cyrus Elder, Johnstown, Pa.
Mr.. Wharton was the first speaker.
He said that there were 45O, 900 persons
engaged in all capacities in the manu-
iacture OF iron and steel, who represent
ed a population OF about 2,95O, 600, who
were dependent upon this industry for
a livelihood. He insisted that the pres
ent tariff was the best which had ever
been imposed, and that under its opera
tion Prices had been reduced 10 the
consumer. "We want no change" 3"
added he. II believe the practice Of
changing the tariff is one OF the most
obnoxious things known 20 business
interests We are now suffering from
q condition OF distress and strain,
which / suppose few people outside OF
the Industry are aware OF. It Is by the
destruction OF credit. Every man IN
this business Is a borrower, and under
the present condition OF affairs II IS al
most possible 70 get money. IL isnOt
she silver question alone which has
brought this about, but the fear on the
part Of manufacturers of adverse tarih
legislation" Continuing Mr.. Wharton
said that all the iron and steel men
wanted was to be placed on an equality
with foreign manufacturers.
Mr. Wharton underwent severe
rOss.eXamination at the hands OF Mr..
Turner (Dem.,) Georgia, who endeag-
ored 10 elicit the statement that the
great advance OF the iron and steel busi-
ness in this country was due more 10
natural advantages and improved ma
chinery than TO the tariff, but Mr.. Whar-
ton took the position that 1t was due 70
both causes, and went further aud de-
elared that even with the natural ad-
vantages aud improved machinery, the
home producers could not compete with
the foreigners on equal terms without
the aid OF the tariff.
During the adrOit examination carried
on by Mr.. Turner, the speaker was
asked what advantage he wanted az the
hands Of Congress over his iOreig2 COM
UetitOr. "Well, answered Mr.. Whar-
ton, 1--WE will say for instaace that dur
ing q period Of turmoil between this
and a foreign country our army was
generalled by one Of this committee;
we as Americans wo uld expect and de-
mand OF that general that he would use
every means In his power, every strate-
Ky which would accrue to the advantage
Of the Americans.
But this is not a question Of war" s"
said Mr.. Turner.
~ think II is, sir" Laughter.
"!fow much advantage do you want?"
again inquired Mr.. Turner.
"Well, now il you had been where
IancOck's army was"
Il was there, but unfortunately on the
other side Laughter aud l found
that they ha0 quite a decided adyant-
age. / hope you do not want as much, ."
replied the Representative from
Georgia.
The next speaker was Hon. George
H. Ely, OF Cleveland, Ohio, President
Western Iron Ore Association, who
maintained that S1s2, 900, 600 was in
vested in the iron ore industry OF the
country, employing about $4,000 men,
and that a reduction Of the tariff
would be ruinOus TO those industries.
Col A. NJ, Shook, OF Nashville, plead
ed with the committee TO postpone
any action on the tariff during the
present financial condition.
John Lambert, Of Joliet, ILL.,, William
Sterling, Of Chicago, James Sedden,
birmingham, Ala. Major G.. NJ. Laugh
lin, Plttsburg. Cyrus Elder, Of Johns
town. also appeared ia behalf OF their
respective companies. Each Ofsthem
stated that their business was In very
bad condition at present aud attributed
the cause TO the fear on the part OF the
GENERATORS verse tariff legislation.
The ,aled to the committee not 10
dystnrb the tariff schedules; to announce
70 the public that 20 action would be
toten. and they claimed that business
vvould revive almost Instantly.
The committee then adjourned until
.oD o'clock tomorrow morning after
es.toD of about eight hours.