The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-13

tribute to the steel corporation. do
not mean to say that the steel in
terests are charging An ssorbitant
price. But II they are that will be
ascertain by our committed
Tobacco and whsskey touch only
the men who choose to use them. They
are what might Be called luxuries--
they are In reality vices. But every
body uses steel. An exerbitanencharge
for steel effects not merely the direct
consumer. but everybody who hreaths.
Taxa this shirt l am wearing. The
cost Of that shirt IL made up OF the
cost OF the plant in which 1t was
manufactured. The building, looms
and engines, and the cost OF steel
would necessarily enter into the eost
or the shirt, You cannot mention an
article or commerce or a necessity Of
life that II not in this ALIEN bracing
net OF steel.
Thu purpose OF our committee Ia
TO determine whether or nor the la n
Is. ohsyed~ and it IT. lis not. aS~s~d,
whether the fauk lies with the law.
Then We are to recommend such
amendments as may be deemed neces-
sary. The most important thing this
com mittee will do in to determine tho
efficiency Of railroad legislation. and
whether or not II is necessary to make
any amendments to the Sherman act.
Il think I can speak for tho en-
tire committee when ! saw II 10 the
purpose OF the people both In and
out Of congress to protect the con
sumner against combinations the effect
ct which N TO- increase the cost. of.
/. living"
Congressman Stanley was asked II
n nrh n
international com hination as was ef-
fected In Brussels. He modestly dis
claimed credit for such foresighted-
! ness.
! 1T was discussed in the fifty- eighth
congress by John Sharp Williams" no
said. AT that time, whom the nAvsl
appropriation bill came up for con-
sidsrAtion ] had two drastic amend
n1ents injected. providing that neither
the armor nor equipment of any ship
| Of war be purchased from any con-
Germ known to be in the trust, or from
the trust itself. Tho result was that
the price Of armor plate dropped from
5000 to $500 a ton"
Cuts Two Ways.
Chairman Stanley was asked what
effect the organization Of the Inter-
national steeel institute would have
| on the price OF steel rails here. For
years the United States Steel Corpora
4 ton has b6en selling rails at cheaper
/ price abroad thAn here where they are
manufactured.
1T would ba impossible for me ia
say" said Stanley. but this / do
know. for years certain directors q
the steel corporation have been d.
rectors also OF certain OF the big Hail-
roads. When acting for the steel
corporation, 4 director sells his steel
| a. q seller and buys them as a pur-
chaser. Now II the director OF the
railroad has a rsaorc vital interest In
the cost Of rails than ne has In rail-
road rates tbs cost OF rails In apt 70
be high. Then, having paid a high
price FOR his rails. Ia railroad d.
rector seeks to charge a high rate "a
the shipper who uses his railroad
That is~swhy the interstate commerce
| commission was created. And have
introduced a bill in congress which
4 hope will pass at the next session
prohibiting n man from being al.
rector Of y railroad and at the. samt
time director Of = company tina
furnishes supplies for the construc
Etion and operation Of that railroad
Safety. | believe. n to be found II
An absolute divorcinU OF business o
common carrier from the business
of the manufacturer.
Chairman staNtex came to New
York to-day for the purpose. Of max
:. ink cart1tn stAtasticsl tny4ti91ti0a
! ! Of the ts1e1l corporation
" t4a f.i