New-York tribune., 1912-02-27
URGES UNIFORM RAILS
I,due Gary Tells Railway Men
They Must Solve Problem.
STEEL MEN TO COOPERATE
Failure May Mean Governmental
Control-Independents Get
Big Hill Order.

Tho official report of the proceedings at
,ho recent conference of the railroad men
md steel rail manufacturers TO consider
tbe subject of improving, II possible, the
ouaIitv and character Of steel rails was
made public yesterday. The principal ad-
dress was made by ex-Judge +. IL. Gary,
chairman of the board of directors Of the
limited States Steel Corporation, who pre-
sided.
He told the assembled railroad and steel
men chat, while the manufacturers were
not directly responsible 10 the patrons of
the railroads. the first responsibility being
with the railroads themselves, they had no
desire to shirk any responsibility whatever
and It was their earnest wish to cooperate
with the railroad officials in producing
rail for service which should be entirely
satisfactory TO the travelling public.
The first difficulty the manufacturers en-
countered, he declared was that the rail-
road officials and experts of the different
companies were not themselves in accord
as to what kind and character of rail-
should be adopted, for the reason that
what was entirely satisfactory to one rail-
road was very unsatisfactory TO another.
Another reason II was difficult for the
manufacturers TO determine what kind OF
rail 10 turn out, he said. was that the
eouipment of the railroads was increasing
So rapidly in weight and the rate Of speed
had increased so rapidly from time to time
that the manufacturers were in doubt as 10
what kind of a rail could be made which
would be entirely safe under the eXtraordi-
nary usage which 1t had been and was sub
ba said while
anxious to have perfectly safe rail, were
at the same time desirous Of securing one
which had great wearing qualities, and this
had resulted in a demand on the part OF
purchasers and users of rails for one that
was much harder by reason of its caroon
contents than seemed to some of the man.
ufacturers to be perfectly safe. He added:
suppose it is an admitted fact that with
a ram containing su1nclent CARBON 70 mahe
il as hard as VIII satisfy some or tne rall-
roads IN regard TO it's wearing qualities we
approach the danger line, because the
harder il is, above certain point, tue
more brittle it will be.
Moreover, as the percentage of carbon
increases our people lind 1t more difilcult
IN practice TO keep within the lines OF saletS
IN maAing and finishing the rail- we
made there would be less liability OF break,
age We know We could furnish ran
with a better quality Of steel, but we are
confronted with the argument against that
by the railroads that, hrst the rail- mas nol
sufficient lasting qualities, and, second
that there is more or less DANGER OIL cIus"-
ing the rail.
He declared, however, that the railroad
officials and steel manufacturers must, IN
some way or other, ascertain what kind
and character of rail was necessary TO be
adopted at this time, continuing:
believe. gentlemen unless we actively,
persistently and effectively pursue this sub
iect to a right solution We shan ma our
selves in the hands of commlsslons OF some
sort. like they have IN England, a Doara OF
trade a chamber of commerce, an inter-
state commerce commission, q state com
mission, or some other authority Wmch
shall lay down for us formulas under Whlch
and In accordance with which we shall De
Obliged 10 manufacture our rails.
We may come 10 that anyhow. but pc
lieye such a result is 10 be deploreu from
every standp3nt from the the ndppoint stanGdpSint of of
economy, and from the standpoint OF prac-
ticabfiity.
AZ already announced in Tho Tribune,
committee Of railroad men and steel rail-
manufacturers was appointed at this meet
ing 70 look into the rail question and report
their recommendations at a later meeting.
1t is understood that a meeting TO receive
,he report of this committee will be held
about March 20.
Since the rail conference at which Judge
Gary gave his views on the steel rail- ques-
ton was held the Hill roads have placed
orders for $1,000 tons Of steel rails with
companies outside Of the Steel Corporation
The reason given by a representative of the
Hln ronds for not giving any Of the ton
mage h. the Steel Corporation was that they
couldgset better quality and quicker deliv-
cry from the Independent companies