New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-18
Neve that the cumulative evidence Of early maps VIII
NAV n part second in ,mpor only to the log
book. j. W. kt.)N AZ, r. ~ " D
Mount Vernon y. Y. Jan :. 1894
MIR. CARNEGIE AND THE TARIFF

MIR CARNEGIE AND THE TARIFF
HE BEGAN PREPARATIONS FOR THE REDUC-
TGON LONG Ago
To the Editor of the Tribune
Sir: Since the publication OF Andrew Carnege's
communication In your paper, have read. In both
Republican and Democratic journals varied COM
ments according 10 politics. but have seen none
that seem to fathom the depths Of meaning Of the
willy Scot. The newspapers overlook the fact. or
have never known it, that all the iron and steel
works under the control of Mr. Carnegie have pre-
pared themselves for just such a condition OF
affairs will be brought about by the passage of
the Wilson bin. the active preparations beginning
Just after Mr.. Cleveland sent in mis- famous free
trade message Of 1887. His plants have been en-
larged. and all the latest improved machinery has
been put in use.
Mr.. Carnegie possesses in the highest degree that
peculiar foresight which is essential to the sue
cessful business man. He saw. by his knowledge
OF mankind, that be proposition never 80 pre-
posterous, If steadily persisted in and couched in
plausible terms. it would finally succeed with the
discriminating workngmen. The conditions he
had PREPARED for lack only the OF the pres
ent tariff measure before Congress to be realized.
l think he found the Wilson bill little more
a grand trust TO hold and regulate the American
market Two plants that are not necessary to
the trust. but might prove powerful rivals. have
been pensioned on at per cent on their capital
ditions in which trade viii find itself when Cleve-
land sets his sign manual the Wilson Tariff act:
but what about those who have only few thou
sands OF dollars invested. against the trusts
millions:
The action of Mr.. Carnegie and his co-monOpo-
now being urged by the present Administration
Inc British revenue system. which is the model
all our Democratic statesmen follow, has turned
all OF Great Britains business into trusts. How
would Americans like to have all OF the railroads
Of the United States united under the control OF
one central head? But such is the case over the
entire British Isles. What howl would go mp
from the majority of The Ways and Means Com;
mttee If such proposition made to Congress!
Yet they urging bill that VIII bear Just such
fruit. This country Is vastly different from what
II was when the much-quoted Walker tariff
passed in 1876. Then had only about s. per
capita. whereas now have So Mr.. Carnegie IL
well aware how important the consolidation OF
capital Is. how low tariffs nulliied by such
consultations and revenues reduced Mr.. Carnegie
having made all these preparations and combna-
tons would be very much Disappointed in fact.
they would be hindrance-if the Wilson bill should
fail of passage, Hence his anxiety TO rush into
print in order TO throw the weight Of his prestige
in favor of the bill
Ii the bin becomes law IL will be in the interest
OF his gigantic combination of capital 10 drive all
the smaller iron and steel mills out of existence.
The above Is fair statement Of the intentions ana
motive of the foxy ScOtchman. whose sole and
only aim Is to promote the interests Of Andrew
Carnegie, W. a. WILLIAMS
Chester Penn Ian l3