Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-20

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ally striking exhibition Of some factor
all the time at work. 1t is so in this
instance. The facts that the course OF
steel rails is now prevailingly outward,
that the manufacturers thus prove their
ability to meet rivals throughout the
world on equal terms, that they are
none the less extortionate toward con-
sumers at home; that the profits they
exact are so inordinate that in some
cases the customer finds that it pays
him to be at the inconvenience of plac-
ing his order with makers in another
quarter of the globe. submitting to de-
lay in transportation besides paying a
heavy duty-these facts do not pertain
to guard-rails alone, but To trusts gen
orally when fostered and pampered by
legislation; this case being only par
ticularly conspicuous exemplifieation of
prevalent state Of things.
STEEL DUTY INTERPRETERS WITH
EXPORTS OF MACHINERY.
For several years past, until recent
ly. the price Of iron and steel were
lower in this country than abroad, and
the result was a rapid increase in our
exports of machinery and implements.
Now the situation is reversed, and it
is with great difficulty that manufact-
urers can hold their trade and make a
profit; whereas, if we could be selieved
of the duties levied on imported raw
material, which yield the government
but little revenue, there would be no
difficulty, while the metal producers
could continue to make abundant prof
its without this bonus.
Is it not plain that legislation should
cease TO foster and pamper the steel
trust That ii should al least abstain
from adding, at the public cost, to the
gigantic profits of that trust by its
largeness CT s7.S4 ton tariff duty? This
is bounty paid to people that do not
need it by people that do. II merit
is claimed for protective duties in other
instances, nothing but an abuse can be
seen in this instance. II it is the peo-
pies will TO bear the cost OF this en-
richment of the steel trust, we must
believe that the people really enjoy
paying high prices for what foreigners
can buy of the same producers at low
prices. This powerful and grasping
steel combine, like the sugar trust and
the tinplate and glass monopolies,
chosen favorites OF protective legisla-
ton, thus empowered and encouraged
by government to exact whatever prices
they think the public can be made to
bear, all tempt us to call the law to
our aid-not that it may lay its hand
upon them in any way directly, but
only that it may lift the hand which it
holds US down to give monopolies
chance to strike us with.
MANUFACTURERS READY FOR
LOWER DUTIES AND INCREAS-
ED EXPORTS.
The officers of a prominent manufac-
turing company in Wisconsin-the
Gisholt Machine Company-convinced
that the country had by this time pass
ed the need of protection in machine
construction, and that the high duties
CT our present tariff law were proYok-
ing retaliation on the part Of more
than one country of continental Eu-
rope. where it would be advantageous
10 US to sell machinery, sent out cir
oular letter Of inquiry few months
ago 10 manufacturers throughout the
United States. By the kind permission
of the authors Of the circular l have
been enabled TO read number Of the
replies. The great majority of the
writers, representing well-known
houses from Pennsylvania westward,
agreed that the policy Of reducing du-
ties and so warding off retaliation from
abroad was new preferable. in order to
build up an export trade.
Nor do I see how any manufacturer,
desiring only fair show in home mar
kets and not an opportunity for extor-
ton, can fail to agree with them. This
country has grown great in manufac-
turing because il can make iron cheap
er than any other, II 1t chooses. II is
the great magazine OF essential sup
plies-timber, limestone, coal and
metals, as we'll as exhaustless stores of
food at easy command. Moreover, il
is peorled by an ingenious and ener-
getic raee-the very pick OF the best
stock Of the Old World. To teach that
such a people in such a land could not
prosper and push ahead without tarih
duties has been proved fat absurdity.
MANY TRUSTS HARMLESS WITH
OUT PROTECTION.
The close alliance OF trust and tariff
ought now to be SO plain that no in
telligent man could hold a doubt on the
subject. Yet people are perpetually try
ing TO confuse it, and successfully con-
fusing il for many minds, by suggest
ing that associations and combinations
are uaf unknown in free-rrade Fin