Evening star., 1915-10-22
Judge Gary Thinks Severe
Test Will Come When
War Is Ended.
STRONGER WITH PUBLIC
BECAUSE OF PUBLICITY
Good Will, Wise Laws and Wise Ad-
ministration Safeguards of
Prosperity.

EiDert II. Gary, chairman OF tne Dodru
of the United States Steel Corporation,
addressed the fall meeting of the Amer
lean Iron and Steel Institute here to-
day. Much of his speech related to
publicity of the corporation affairs. He
touched on the matter of publicity in
questions that bring about war. inti-
mating that if the cost in life and
treasure that was to follow were
known beforehand hostilities would
have been prevented.
In opening his address he said: " The
public be damned Many years since
1T was openly charged that this express
sion was used by a business man of
great prominence. There has been a
prevalent belief that the charge was
based on fact and it has caused feel
ing of prejudice which has been ex-
ceedingly harmful to the business in
terests of the country
Judge Gary admitted that at one time
big business" was much given to sec
recy, but that tendency. he said, has
given way to policy of proper public
ity.
Benefited by Publicity.
'Tt will not be questioned" he said,
that the great business interests of the
country have been benefited by this
change in disposition toward the public,
which has become less distrustful of
capital and it's controlling influences.
1t has been more considerate of the
rights and claims of those engaged in
great enterprises and less inclined to
listen to the plea of the demagogue. IN
deed. it has patiently and fairly heard
and read all that has been said in favor
of granting relief to any concern that
sought assistance on fair and reason
able basis, and not infreQuently, be-
cause of public sentiment that the re-
quest was just it has been granted"
The speaker contended that the pol
icy OF publicity could be applied to
fairs, and insisted that proper pub
licity might well have averted the
present world war. If the masses OF,
the people of the different nations en-
now wagi1g In Europe were fully tn
foyrned Of ali the facts. Is 1t to be sup
posed the war would be much longer
continued?" he asked
Prosperity of Country.
Discussing present business eondi-
tions in the United States, Judge Gary
said:
"The business men of this country.
particularly those engaged in the iron
and steel trade. have reason to be
thankful for the present conditions.
which are very prosperous. The fur
naces and mills are generally operat-
ting to full capacity and prices receiv-
ed for many. IL not most. of the COM
modities produced are larger than they
have been during the last few years
and should result in profits.
I'VE are at peace with all the world
and it seems likely that the wise policy
which has permitted this state of af-
hope and pray that the wars which
are raging in Europe may soon be
brought to a close and a basis reached
for the prevention of prolonged wars
apparently we are to have a period
of industrial peace in this country.
Many of the antagonisms which have
hitherto been SO hurtful and which
have prevented natural business
growth have disappeared and legiti-
mate business will. therefore. have op
portunity to progress in accordance
with its deserts.
Wise Administration Needed.
NO doubt the sudden and marked i'm
provement in conditions during the last
directly or indirectly, to the purchas-
ing necessities growing out of the
wars: but there are other reasons
The total wealth of the United
States. according to the last published
figures. is more than one-fourth Of the
aggregate OF all the nations, and ii is
rapidly increasing. Many of US believe
that may become and remain the
leading nation. financially, commercial
ly and industrially. provided nothing
unnecessary is done by our people to
prevent Personally, I do not agree
with the statements which have been
made that. at the close of the wars we
may expect in this country a prolonged
continuance of the great prosperity
now experienced; especially IL we do
not have protection against the re-
suits of cheap labor and the impov-
erished conditions abroad, which are
inevitable I do think that. with wise
administration and with the co-opera-
tion Of the state and national govern
ments. our industries will be able to
recover from the injurious effects of
the wars much more rapidly than those
OF any other country, and that within
a few years we shall be more success
full than ever before"
Leaders in Steel Industry Attend.
Between 400 and 500 of the nation.s
leaders In the steel industry are here
in attendance upon the sessions of the
Institute The delegates included prac-
fically all the executive heads and op-
Grating experts OF American iron and
4 nj ct