The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-12-22
TINE FOR SMALL
STEEL MEN IS
PASSED
so DECLARED ANDREW cARNE.
GLE BEFORE WAYS AND MEANS
coMMITTEE-His TALK WAS
VERY HUMOROUS.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 92.-Audrew
Carnegie was on the stand for nearly
eight hours yesterday and was in ex
tremely good humor. He fell so good
in fact, and told so many funny stor
les, that the committee il wondering
today II they are more enlightened
than they were before the laird OF
Skibo" took the stand. The ironmas
ter urged that the committee accept
the testimony OF f. II. Gary, chair
man OF the board of directors OF the
United States Steel corporation
praised the genius OF Charles NJ
Schwab. and exasperated several
standpatters with his epigrammatic
replies. He incidentally avoided fig
ures TO great extent.
The principal contention advanced
by Carnegie was that the steel indus.
try needs no more protection, that II
has reached point In Us develop
ment where the American manufac
turers can complete with the world
under free trade conditions While
he claimed that the cost V' labor and
production OF steel are less in this
than In other countries producing
steel. Carnegie gave no figures to sup
port his contentious.
He declared emphatica,ly agains.
combinations, or trusts" and said
that he had nothing TO do with the
sale of the Carnegie Steel Co. 10 the
United States Steel corporation. He
characterized the stock gambler" as
being the worst citizen country
could have and said that he never had
one associated with him in business.
Reiterating frequently that his tes-
timony was given from his general
knowledge OF the steel business, and
not from any familiarity with the In
tricacies OF the costs OF manufacture
and production AZ the present time,
Carnegie dealt largely In theories and
deductions. stating that he was mere
ly expressing his opinion when his
testimony varied from that OF Judge
Gary, and Mr.. Schwab. He said that
these two gentlemen we're very
truthful, but that they were interest
ed witnesses and the COMMITTEES
should not place too much stress on
figures supplied by them.
Laugh on Fordney.
Carnegie evidently enjoyed the
croSs-Hre OF questions put TO him by
both Republican and Democratic mem
bers of the committee. but frequently
expressed the regret that he could not
cross-examine the members OF the
committee. He seemed TO devote his
Efforts 10 making Chairman Payne
and Reps. Dalzell and Fordney, Of
Michigan, uncomfortable. He called
Dalzell John" and either gave him
such evasive replies to his questions
or dealt with him in such manner
sion into a humorous one. The mem.
Der from Pennsylvania soon subsided
into silence.
Fordney. after having asked Carne-
gle many hypothetical questions, gave
@ somewhat elaborate account OF his
views on protection and then asked
the smiling Scotchman. What do you
think Of my opinion on this point"
II think you are entitled TO hold
them" was the quick rejoinder, while
the spectators Joined the rest OF the
committee In a hearty laugh at the
expense Of the Wolverine.
frequently referred to and reference
was made particularly 10 a statement
that the duty on steel could be taken
of as far as the steel corporation is
concerned. Carnegie said this portion
should De accepted by the committee.
An argument was precipitated by
this statement between Messrs Payne
and Dalzell on one side claiming tina I
Judge Gary did not say the duty could
be removed on all steel products. and
Mr.. Cochran on the other hand claim
Ing that Judge Gary's testimony was
o that effect.
facts for you" said Carnegie, and |
should depend on them. He has told
you that his corporation doesn't need
the duty. II the cost OF steel rails
has increased abroad as IL has in
creased here you will and Judge
Garys statement quite true and that
he could stand free trade"
Judge Gary has testified that the
price is AZ high abroad" said Chair.
man Payne.
Then doesn't that show that you
have nothing TO fear from free
trader was the prompt rejoinder.
Carnegie was questioned at length
regarding the cost OF producing steel.
but the witness declared that honest
men easily could differ on that ques-
ton The steel business. ne said. was
business 10 itself and the cost 10
one man was very different thing
10 the cost 10 another.
When a gentleman OF Judge Gary s
character" he said. comes to you
and tells you he does not need tar.
IN you ought To believe him"
Carnegie Becomes Romantic.
Speaking Of the testimony OF Judge
Gary before the committee, Carnegie
said:
Judge Gary said that the United
States Steel Corporation could stand
for reduction in the tariff on steel,
but that tho smaller steel manufac-
turers could not survive with lower
cd duties That is like one OF Aesop's
fables. Judge Gary Is like the mon
key who Il. sired the chestnuts. but
wanted the cat 10 pull them out OF
the FIRE His sollcitude fo- his weak
er brethren Is sublime"
Carnegie said that the manufactur-
ers Of Wales could make ION OF tin
plate a shade cheaper than IL could
be made here. and in reply TO ques-
tion from Rep Longworth said the
cost OF manufacturing steel Is great
or in Great Britain than here. He
said the committee should send ex.
Ia