Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-21
Andrew Carnegie Star Witness
Before Ways and Means Com
mittee Considering Tariff
APPEARS in Jov'AL MOOD
Statement That Removal Of Daty on
Steel Would Not Lower Price Causes
&, Surprises - Refuses to Quote Fige
urss, Praises sehwab and Pok.s Fun
at Judge Gary.

negie, whose published views on the
tariff question caused considerable
comment, took the stand before the
house ways and means committee to-
day. Carnegie testified in support Of
the statements he made in his maga-
zine article declaring persistently that
facts showed the steel industry needs
no protection. AS a witness Carnegie
proved the most interesting who has
appeared before the committee inter-
ispersing his testimony with humorous
epigrammatic remarks.
Praises Sehwab and BeIittIes Gary.
Praising the genius of Charles M.
Schwab, Carnegie suggested that con-
gress should extend vote of thanks
to Schwab for his work in improving
the methods of steel making in this
country. Speaking of the ties timony
Of Judge Gary before the committee.
Carnegie said:
"You should not place any real value
on the testimony of interesed parties.
Gary said the United States Steel cor
poration could stand for a reduction in
the tariff on steel, but that smaller
steel manufacturers could not survive
with lowered dHties. That is like one
of Aesop's fables. Gary is like the
monkey who desired chestnut', but
wanted the cat to pull them out of the
fire."
Carnegie Creates Merriment.
The crowded hearing room fr'squent-
" rang with peals of laughter at the
quips Of Carnegie, who seemed to be
in splendid >shape for the questions
asked by Representatives Dalzsll and
Payne Carnegie was not willing to
deal in figures.
1.-THE more figures you get, the more
you will be befogged I don't judge by
figures given by interested parties"
he said II Judge by results" He said
Judge Gary had issued an annual
statement showing the use the steel
corporation had made Of the profit Of
$15S, 100000 which he said equalled the
profit Of $3.50 q ton on all steel pro-
ducts. Carnegie avoided direct replies
TO questions as to whether the cost Of
producing steel at the present time as
given by Gary and Schwab was cor
rect.
Raps 1t Previous Witnesses.
.Schwab's estimate Of the present
cost is based on entirely different ideas
than his estimate on the cost in 1899"
was all that Carnegie would say. He
declared the removal of the duty on
steel would not necessarily affect the
price because Europe could not sue
cessfualy compete with the American
product. He also said that If the fig
ures given. by FORMER witnesses were
absolutely correct steel stock would be
selling far below par.
Iron Orc Supply Short.
Carnegie asserted that at the rate
which iron ores are being extracted,
the supply would be exhausted in forty
years. He based his statement on the
best expert opinion he could obtain. He
also said England would be in the
same condition in seven years He said
the statement by Judge Gary that the
duty on steel could be taken off aus far
as the steel corporation is concerned
should be accepted by the committee
as true.
Steel Does Not Need coddling.
NrdTueSle, III H1o OouISo VI lis an
swer, characterized Schwab as. a genius
and Gary as most lovable man, but
q very shrewd one. He expressed the
opinion that wages would not be re-
duced IL the tariff was lowered or re-
moved entirely. He was utterly op-
posed to the income tax, believing, as
he said, with Gladstone, that such a
tax produced nation of liars He de-
clared very emphatically that he was
a protectionist, but said the steel in
dustry was now in a position where 1t
can say: '"Take your protection. We
are now 1nen and we can beat the
world in the manufacture Of steel"
There Is no reason for the tariff on
steel" he again emphasized. "You
should not coddle an industry with pro-
lection.