Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-05-12
PRESIDENT c. N. SCHNAB
OPPOSES UNION LABOR.
SAYS LABOR UNIONS TEND TO CUR
TAIL INDIVIDUAL CHANCE
IN LIFE.
THE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
SECURES THE STEEL TRUST PRESI-
DENTS VIEWS ON GREAT
COMBINATIONS.
WASHINGTON,

He said that the United States company
controls eight companies by owning
their stock, and that while steps are
taken to insure the good will and the
cooperation of all these companies,
each one generally is left to conduct
business in its own way AS rule the
plan had been to take in only compan-
les which were not competitors, but
it was true that there were cases in
which two institutions of the same line
were brought together, and in such
cases the managers were expected to
get together in making their plans for
sales.
Enumerating the advantages of con-
solidation, Mr. Schwab said they
found especially in transportation and
management and in the utilization OF
all the ores owned. In this connection,
Mr. Schwab said that the United
States Company owns so per cent of the
iron ore of the country and he ex-
pressed the opinion that these ore de-
posts must constantly grow in value
because limited. The company makes
from 65 to IS per cent of the steel pro-
ducts of the country. He also said that
there had been 20 increase in the price
OF products since the organization of
the United States Company and that the
tendency is toward lower prices.
Discussing the tariff Mr. Schwab ex-
pressed the opinion that in articles of
manufacture in witch labor does not as
an important factor the tariff might be
removed, but that in products into
which labor enters largely, such, for
instance at tin plate, it would be nee
essafy either to reduce wages or lose
trade if the tariff We're removed. He
thought that except on the Pacific coast
the removal OF the tariff would not in
terfere with the production of steel rails
and billets. Mr.. Schwab took a posi-
ton against organized labor, saying
that it did not give individuals a fair
chance in life.
Asked in detail 70 the plan of man
ageaent Of the various companies COM
blned in the STEEL company Mr. Schwab
said it is the purpose of the parent
company to control the subsidiary Or
g2nizations in harmony and that this
is to be done by indicating the officers
o. the various concerns.
on the boards, he said, but the man
asement VIII be efficient
Mr.. Schwab excused himself from
speaking concerning the details of the
organization Of his company. once or
twice saying that questions concerning
capitalization, premiums, ETC., should be
asked of Mr. Morgan. Il don't know
the steel trust, ne said. when some one
so designated his company. In a gen
eral way, he would say that the COM
pany is organized upon the same plan
as the Federal Steel Company, but ne
did not consider the company over
capitalized. He said the assets of each
OF the subsidiary companies had in
creased in value since their organize
ton and that the popular estimate did
not place sufficient value upon the
mines owned by the company He also
stated in this connection that the COM
pany owns sixty thousand acres of
Connellsyille Hoking land and that in
Its iron mines tEere are 500, 1000, 600 tons
Of ore in sight. E!e thought d reas-
onahie profit on this iron ore should
be 50 a ton. Asked how long he
though these mines would be able to
meet tas demand. Mr.. Schwab placed
the limit on the iron ore AT 80 years
and on the coal at sixty. Each of the
constituent companies, he said, makes
its own purchases and its own sales.
"In a word" he said. the United
States Steel Corporation is clearing
house to which its constituent com
panies so for information"
He admitted that the company sells
many of its products at a lower price
in foreign markets than at home, say
ing that this practice followed to hold
the market.
The witness discussed the relation of
the tariff to the steel industry at length.
but he said that upon the whole he did
not desire to have the tariff changed
in any respect, considering it entirely
satisfactory as at present arranged.
Asked for his opinion as to the effect
of the enactment Of the Babcock bill
taking tie duty off trust produced ar
ticles, Mr.. Schwab expressed opposi-
ton to It. He did not consider as pos
sible an international iron and steel
combination regardless of all restric-
ticns
Discussing the relation of capital to
labor, he said that while he did not
undertake to outline the future policy
of the steel corporation he did not en-
dorse the policy OF labor organization
as in the interest of the laboring man
himself. He did hope, however, 10 so
arrange matters that operators could
share in the profits of the enterprise.
Instead of being detriment, he consid-
cred the big corporations as affording
he best openings for labor and enter
prise. "There were never such oppor-
lunities for brains as to-day. he said.
If were a laboring man. as | once
was, l should not want to belong to a
abor organization if employed by a
properly managed corporation like the
steel company, for ] would not want
% be put on level with the poorest
workman in the establishment The
tendency is to give the highest possible
price for proper service, and no mem
Der of a labor organization Is in po-
sition to avail himself of such 6ispo-
sition."
He said that the average OF wages
paid now by steel companies is higher
than previous to 1882. The question
was not one Of wages, but of the man
agement OF business with which the
labor unions wanted to interfere
Mr. Sehwab expressed himself as OPP