The bee. (Earlington, Ky.) 1889-19??, 1908-12-24
CARNEGIE GIVES HIS VIEWS
STEEL KING ADVOCATES TAKING
TARIFF OFF THE STEEL
INDUSTRY.
CALLS SCHWAB A GENIUS
AZ Many Ways for Figuring Cost Of
Production as Cat Has Lives.
Laird If skbo ls
Entertaining.

Washington, Dec. 22.-Both in.
structlon and entertainment were
given the members of the house WAYS
and means committee Monday by
Andrew Carnegie. who recently start
led the steel and iron men of the world
with an article advocating the removal
OF the duty on steel.
The Laird Of Skibo, who brought
with him the atmosphere OF his native
heath. not only explained why he be-
lieved the steel tariff unnecessary, but
injected homely bits of philosophy and
FUN that served to illuminate the sub
1ect and keep even the standpatters on
the committee in 4 good humor.
Incidentally he tossed bouquets at
Gary, ScAwRb and other steel
msgnates. Gary was a "pawky cAisl"
Schwab was genius and deserved
the thanks Of congress. To himself,
Carnegie modestly asoribed "a little
saving common sense"
Carnegie said that the president Of
a great steel corporation and the re-
preventative Of = great consumer Of
steel had testified to the same effect
to the committee and so he consider
ed his statement confirmed.
Il do not believe 1t necessary to 70
into details to Justify my statement"
he said.
Judge Gary Of the steel CORPORA
tion," said Chairman Payne. told us
that the corporation could make Dig
iron for 81 per ton less than It's COM
petitors. Would the removal of the
tariff cripple Independent concerns?"
Steel Trust in Monkey oRIe.
Judge Gary Is the ablest man 1
know In the steel business. He tells
you that his great concern does not
need the tariff, but others do. His con-
sideration and sympathy for his COM
petitors or those who should be his
competitors, is sublime. 1t reminds me |
OF the fable Of the monkey that wanted |
to pull chestnuts out Of the FIRE and |
dsvolvsd mat duty upon the cat"
Chairman Payne quoted the presi-
dent OF the Pennsylvania Steel CON-
pany as having said that the cost of
making rails is $3.50 ton.
Carnegie's answer was: 81 say that
II he made rails at $3.50 a ton and
sold In Canada at loss, the stock OF
his company would not be above par.
The Pennsylvania company which
owns the plant would soon get new
management.
Carnegie said that the Cambria
Steel company could come within a
dollar or a dollar and a half a ton of
making steel at the same price As the
steel corporation.
Would Stimulate Demand.
IF you were in the steel business"
said Representative Cochran (DD.
New York. would you, In time Of low
demand. stimulate business by roduc-
ing prices?" This had reference TO the
action OF the steel trust in holding to
uniform prices during the panic.
Il would" was Carnegie's answer.
These men try TO tell you the
truth" he resumed, referring 10 the
steel manufacturers. but they talk In
language you don't understand"
Il believe 1t would be better for the
corporation in the long run II tho
LRrin were taken en- steel. We have .
purchased great amOuAts Of ore, but
believe the Psnnsylyania Steel COM
Iany will have orc when tho corpora
ion is short Of it, But what have we
o do with the future? Is net this com
Aittee to legislate for the present?
You may get news at any time Of the
hiding Of great ore deposits. II our
teel industry is ever imDeriled, how
'asy 1t weuld be to put a tariff on +
gain"
Representative Cochran asked Car 4
iegie whether free steel would reduce |
he price. - ~
Il do not thing it will lessen the
rice much" said Carnegie. Il believe 4,
EUROPE cannOt compete with Us here" u
He remarked. however, that free n
teel would have tendency to reduce T
rices, because with free steel the d
Orpcration could not raise the cost to
consumers as high as it would with a u
lriK.