The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-12-23
STEEL NEEDS
NO PROT lection.
Substance Of Carnegie's Eyi-
dence at Tariff Hearing.
MAKES A GOOD WITNESS.

Ready Retorts and Wit-WouId Not
Deal in Figures, Claiming That the
More Used the More the Subject
Became Befogged. =.
Washington, Dec. 22.-Andrew Car
negie, whose published views on the
tariff caused considerable comment,
took the stand before the house ways
and means committee. Mr.. Carnegie
testified in support of the statements
that he made in his magazine article,
declaring persistently that the facts
show that the steel industry needs no
protection. AS witness Mr.. Carne-
gle proved the most interesting who
has appeared before the committee,
interspersing his testimony with hui
morous and epigrammatic remarks.
Speaking of the testimony of Judge
Gary before the committee Mr.. Carne-
gle said: - + :,
''You should not place any real value
on the testimony of interested par
ties. Judge Gary said that the United
States Steel corporation. could stand
for a reduction in the tariff on steel,
but that the smaller steel manufac-
turers could not survive with lowered
duties. That is like one of Aesops
fables. Judge Gary is like the mon
key who desired the chestnuts, but
wanted the cat to pull them out of the
fire." 49,.
Mr.. Carnegie was not willing to deal
in figures. "The more figures you get
the more you will be befogged. don't
judge by figures given by interested
parties," he said, at another point in
his testimony. II judge by results"
The former steel magnate said that
Judge Gary had issued an annual
statement showing that the United
States Steel corporation had made a
profit of $15S,O00,000, which, he said,
equalled profit of $3.50 ton on all
steel products.
Mr.. Carnegie avoided direct replies
to questions as to whether the cost
of producing steel at the present time
as given by Judge Gary and Mr..
Schwab was correct. "Mr. Schwab's
estimate of the present cost is based
on entirely different ideas than his
estimate on the cost in 1885," was all
that Mr.. Carnegie would say.
Gary's Testimony Referred To.
The testimony of Judge Gary was
frequently referred to in the questions
asked of MI. Carnegie. Reference
was made particularly to statement
that the duty on steel could be taken
off as far as the steel corporation is
concerned and Mr.. Carnegie said this
portion should be accepted.
Judge Gary has summarized the
facts for you," said Mr.. Carnegie,
land should depend on them. He
has told you that they don't need the
duty. IF the cost of steel rails has
increased abroad as it: has increased
here you will find Judge Gary's state
ment quite true and that he could
stand free trade"
Judge Gary had testified that the
price is as high abroad" said Chair
man Payne.
"Then does not that show that you
have nothing to fear from free trader"
was the prompt rejoinder.
Mr.. Carnegie was questioned at
length regarding the cost of producing
steel, but the witness declared that
or hot
question. The steel business, he said,
was a business by itself and the cost
to one man was very different thing
from the cost to another.
Dealing largely in generalities Mr..
Carnegie said he wanted it understood
that his, statements represented his
opinion solely. He said that he came
before the committee because he had
been summoned and that he gave his
testimony because he thought it his
duty as an American citizen.
Pressed with questions from all
sides Mr.. Carnegie arose from his seat
and dramatically declared that she
was a protectionist."
IT DESIRE" he said, Ito furnish to
the consumer cheaper supply and
more regular supply than he could
get abroad and if, after forty years
experience, we cannot develop steel
with that condition our protective
policy in that instance would have
been a failure instead of the tri-
umphant success it has become."s
Pointing his finger at the committee
and raising his voice to it's highest
pitch he declared that the steel in
dustry was now in the position where
it can say: Take your protection.
We are now men 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 the industry with
protection"
Conductor Fatally injured.