The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-06-10

which Democrats might well anu Gull
sistently differ. The question was
whether iron ore should go on the
free list, or be subject to low reye-
nue. duty. Whenever that question
as related to any article is presented
to a Democratic legislator it is one
he is at liberty to decide according
to his own misunderstanding to
his own view of the whole situation
and this he can do without in any
degree violating his party obligation
or ignoring his party policy.
The chief argument against the tax
was predicted upon the assertion that
the United steel corporation, known
as the "steel trust" favored the
imposition OLA tariff duty on iron
ore. 1t was asserted that this great
corporation had acquired possession
and control, through ownership and
leaseholds of enormous areas of land
containing iron ore, and that in con-
sequence that corporation practical
ly held monopoly of the American
supply. One senator, at least, and
perhaps others, asserted that the
trust controlled about IS per cent
of the iron ore area of the United
States. Assuming these almost in
credible statements to be true, 1t was
urged that foreign ore should be ad-
mitted free in the interest of in
dependent manufacturers of iron and
steel.
Now. Mr.. President, it is undoubt-
edly true that the steel trust" So
called, has obtained possession and
control of a large acreage Of ore
bearing land, but to say that the
trust controls IS per cent, or even
so per cent, of these lands IS, to my
mind, a gross exaggeration. The
senator from Alabama (Mr. john
ston) says that the trust and its al
lied interests do not in any way
control as much as so per cent Of
the ore lands and mines of his State,
and the Senator from Michigan (Mr.
Smith) declares. rs after Of par
sonui knowledge. that 'he trust Gac.
nni control aS, DuAh rs so per cent
of the ore lands of E..s State.
The same is declared to be true as
to the lands and mines OF other
States. In fact, it is affirmed tha1
in some of the States, as in Virginia,
where great quantities OF iron ore
exist and are mined, the trust has
no property interests whatever. Mr.
President, to my mind it is perfectly
evident and clear that If we should
exclude and shut out every acre OF
ore lands owned or controlled BY the
trust there would still be left vastly
more than could be used by all the
iron and steel industries Of the coun-
try, including the trust, for a cen
tury. OF course, l. may be wrong
as to this, but do not believe so.
| have the utmost confidence that
my estimate in this behalf is at least
approximately correct. If this be
so, then the independent manufac-
turers Of steel and iron, If indeed
! there really are any such. can obtain
their domestic supply on equal terms
with the trust; and if that be true,
then of what peculiar advantage
would free ore be to the "indepen-
dents?" If foreign ore should be
made free, the trust could go out
into the world and buy and import
as. well as the independents, and
at least upon equal terms with them.
One would hold no advantage over
the other
But it has been asserted that the
steel trust nlagnatcs favored duty
on iron ore. am frank to say that
in nv view Of the situation, as have
stated it, | am unable to perceive
how the imposition of this duty can
possibly work to the advantage to
the trust, or how free ore would con-
tribute to it's disadvantage. ! must
have clearer, more definite, and GER
tain evidence than has been submit
ted to convince ME to the contrary.
can not ignore what seems to me
to be the plain truth Of this situa-
ton, and be thrown off my feet and
satmpeded because some one exhibits
the specter of the steel trust. | must
be controlled in my action by facts
as see them, and not by the fear
OF some remote and improbable
danger.
Again, Mr.. President, this further
fact stands out and can not be over
looked: Enormous iron ore deposits
have been recently discovered and
are now being rapidly developed on
the northern coast OF Cuba. These
great properties have been acquired,
ostenSibly, at least, by the Bethle-
hem and the Pennsylvania steel
companies. These ores can be min
ed cheaper in Cuba than in this coun-
try, and they can be shipped to our
seaports by water at comparatively
light transportation charge. There
fore it is altogether probable that the
great bulk OF foreign ores coming
to the States will come from these