New-York tribune., 1902-02-17
CHARLES M. SCHWAB BACK.
MORE THAN EVER IMPRESSED WITH
STEEL CORPORATIONS POSSIBILI-
TIES - FRIENDSHIP FOR
AMERICA ABROAD.
AMERICA ABROAD.

After an absence of nearly two months In
Europe, Charles NJ. Schwab president Of the
United States Steel Corporation. arrived yester-
day OH the steamship St Paul He comes in
time to attend the annual meeting of the stock
holders to-day in Jersey City.
Mr.. Schwab visited England. France, Ger
many and Austria, coming everywhere in the
closest touch with the leaders of finance and
manufacture. He returns as he himself ex-
pressed it last night, more than ever impressed
with the scope and possibilities of the great
corporation of which he is the head, and more
than ever enthusiastic over the position of the
United States in its relationship with the trade
and commerce of the world
Mr. Schwab declined to discuss the personal
details Of his trip. He said he preferred 10
speak as the president of the United States
Steel Corporation. Il went away for a vaca-
ton" he said, "and while I had a delightful
trip I also did a great deal of work. 1 found a
feeling of the utmost friendship for our country
existing everywhere in Europe l found also
intense interest in the question of industrial
combinations. the business men on every hand
wishing to know more about them and more
about our methods.
Il have been privileged to meet the greatest
men in the European world Of finance and
manufacture. and the great master minds CT
economic thought I was surprised and delight
ed to find such tremendous interest in our great
undertaking and with the cordial reception given
everywhere to the president of the steel cor
poration.
- said in a speech delivered in Chicago that
any combination of business enterprises organ
lied for other purposes than the reduction of
cost and the increase of output is placed upon a
false basis. and I return from my visit to Eu-
rope feeling more than ever impressed with the
truth of that proposition. l come back with my
brpa nd usia unhOu0leQ.
Heretofore I have looked upon great COM
bnation of the steel industries of this country
perhaps nothing more than an ordinary bust
ness venture Of great magnitude, but after hear
ing the views Of the business men Of the Old
World l find that l have. if anything, under
rated our undertaking.
we are now more than ever ready to demon
strate that the greater the scope Of the combina-
ticn the greater the possibilities for economy
and consequently the greater the possibilities
for a reduction Of cost. With these objects in
view must have our great plants equipped
and manned to perfection. and no care or proper
expense must he spared to keep those plants
modern and at the highest point that ingenuity.
skill and enterprise can reach.
while there exists in Europe the greatest
feeling Of friendship and admiration for Amer
lea and Americans I found also a degree Of
curiosity and uncertainty as to what we are
going to do next. But as l told them they have
their own protection at home in their laws, and
what We are after Is trade in the great common
field such China and the orient generally.
This we want. and this we are going to get. In
order that may do So however. we look To
Congress 20 make provision for protection of our
shipping. We will look after manufacturing.
Speaking the president of the United
States Steel Corporation. wish 10 impress upon
people here the fact that throughout Eng
land and Europe there exists no feeling OF
enmity among the great men. and my visit
abroad this year was notable in the change
found when l. who had been there often
before an individual presented myself as the
president Of the United States Steel Corpora
t!on. which the greatest Of American CON
solidations. was the centre of curiosity among
inquirlng men Of all nations who sought on
every hand to learn more OF our methods and
our plans"