The Washington herald., 1911-06-05
WAGE REDUCTION
THREAT OF GARY
Head of Steel Trust Discusses
Cut in Prices.
REGRETS BREAK IN HARMONY
Tells Manufacturers that Zig Cor
poration Ii willing to Play Fair
with Its Smaller Competitors.
Favors Complete Understanding
and Publicity Among Steel Men.

New York, June 4-"Do not forget that
the employees of the corporation have
more at stake than the employer when
questions OF reducing prices below what Is
reasonable and fair are considered.
You have no right to run the risk of
being compelled to put their wages below
what they ought to be unless you are
driven to It. 1 hope that whatever may
happen as a result of present conditions
you will not reduce the wages Of your en-
ployes until you feel an absolute neces-
sity to do so.''
In an address to the Steel and Iron
Manufacturers Of America at the Metro
politan Club In this city a week ago, and
now made public for the first time, Judge
Ebert H Gary. Of the United States
Steel Corporation. made this plea.
Discuss Cut In Prices.
The luncheon was held for the purpose
Of discussing the recent cut in steel and
said:
the administration in Washington has
settled upon for the governing and con-
trolling OF the great business interests Of
people in this country, instead of being
found in opposition to that general policy
which is calculated to be of benefit to
the people of the country, will line up
with the administration and take a posi-
ton foremost in the ranks Of those who.
in a patriotic way, are attempting to do
what they can for their fellow-men.
Il do not care whther II Is a Federal
incorporation act the lawmakers may
1nfa ,Ia@ IL Hs
is reasonable or If it is determined by
the administration or the lawmakers to
be reasonable, let us occupying a
great position in the activities of bust
ness life-let US take 4 leading part
in doing our best to bring about an I'M
provement in the conditions which sur
round US.
Now We are confronted with a very
serious and disagreeable problem. We
know that one of the leading iron and
steel companies hitherto joining in our
councils, learning from us our intentions.
our business, our methods. our clients.
our customers, everything Of benefit and
interest for one to know concerning his
neighbor, has suddenly. for reasons II Is
regarded by those in charge given notice
that for the present at least II is not
desirable to cooperate with us. II I
believed the reason was that the officials
clusior they had no right. from the
standpoint of law or good morals, to
continue. / would be the last one to
criticise.
No Wrong Intended.
II would not expect or ask any one
to do anything he believed wrong, legal
ly or morally; but. on the other hand,
gentlemen. il any one who has been CO.
iy,a lat f,,lxr t,,
but under conditions well known and
frequently exposed by all Of us, suddenly
changes his opinion and believes It is for
his pecuniary interests for the time be-
ing to withdraw from associating with
us, and declines to give US any informa-
ton concerning what he is doing or pro-
poses to do, leaving himself free to go to
your customers and mine and get the
business for himself, regardless OF price,
and simply for the purpose Of filling his
mill temporarily and securing for himself
a customer who has been your customer
or mine. then I do not hesitate to say
that, so far as I am concerned, I am per-
fectly willing to let him stand outside
of the circle of intercourse and friendly
and open and aboveboard
fair dealing and frankness in expression;
but If l have sufficient influence, IT shall
not in the least affect the relations of
all the rest OF US.
Il think that SO far as we are concern
ed we would be largely Influenced by the
action of others; and while insisting upon
the position from which I have never
varied, I would not under any circum-
stances make any agreement, express or
implied, direct or indirect, to maintain
prices, to keep away from customers, to
divide territory, to restrict output, or to
make any agreement Of any sort or de-
scription with you or any of you, be-
cause, as I understand the law, have
no right to do II; yet, at the same time, I
would do what I have always said I
would do; I would tell you and each of
you at any time exactly what we We're
doing; I would give you the names Of our
customers; I would tell you what prices
we were charging; would give you any
concerning our business"