The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-23
PUBLIC Be DAMNED
IDEA Is DEAD-GARY
Secrecy Is Past. He Tells Steel
Men. and Publicity Must Rule
in Business World.
CHEAP LABOR A DANGER

CLEVELAND. Ohio. Oct. es.--Judge FL
bert II. Gary. chairman o. the board OF
the United states steel Corporation. in
an address delivered here to-day before
the American Iron and Steel Institute.
Of which he Is president. spoke optimis-
tically Of PROJECTS in the steel trade.
Judge Gary said that many years ago
the phrase "the public be damned" had
been ascribed to a business man OF
great prominence. which had caused a
feeling Of prejudice exceedingly harm
full to business interests OF the coun-
try. but that he was doubtful IL the
statement had ever been made.
Whatever the truth In regard TO this
we'll advertised Inc much discussed OK
preston, II Is no doubt true that the
sentiment which Il conveys has in days
zone by existed in the minds and actu-
ated the conduct OF a considerable num-
Der OF the leading business men OF this
country and other countries during the
various periods Of their history" he ad-
mltted.
The business men OF this country.
particularly those engaged in the iron
and steel trade. have reason to be
thankful for present conditions. which
arc very prosperous" he said.
We are at peace with all the world
and II seems likely that the Wis, policy
which has permitted this state OF af-
fairs will be continued. We sincerely
hope n 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 in the fu-
ture.
Apparently, we are TO have a rsriof
Of industrial peace In this county. Many
OF the antagcnisms. which have hitherto
been so hurtful and which har2 pre-
vented natural bushes growth. have
disappeared and legitimate business VIII
have opportunity to progress In accord
ance with Its deserts.
The tota, wealth OF The United
states, according to the last published
figures, Is more than one-fourth CT the
aggregate OF all the rat!ons. ard It Is
RAPIDLY increasing. Many Of Us believe
that We may become and remain the
leading nation. financially, commercially
and industrislly. provided nothing UNI
necessary Is done by our people to pre-
vent. Personally. ! do rot agree with
the statements which have been made
that, at the close OF the wars. We may
Expect In this country "A prolonged con-
tinuance Of the great prosperity nov
experienced especially II VIC do no,
have protection against tho results OF
cheap labor and the impoverished condi-
tons abroad. which are inevitable.
He added that In the past men OF
prob.ty and high standing had held pri-
vate corporations. as distinguished from
| public or quasi-public corporations, "a
be literally private. and that the public
had no greater right 20 inquire into the
affairs Of such corporations than IL had
TO question the personal matters OF the
Individual ar family. II. said lat act.
Ing on these grounds there had been
instances when corporations withheld
facts which directly affected the public
interests. and even though no rule was
violated. widespread harm, had been
done. For a period OF years hig bust.
ness so-called. the good with the bad,
was anta gonized to an extent whici, ma
"terially interrupted its normal and leS.ti.
mate progress. occasioned il, part throug!
suspicion created by failure 10 take the
. public into the confidence o. grea; cap
tains of business,
Judge Gary concluded that {; was i'm.
practicable to draw a definite line be.
10 the public and those which may be
considered private.
Were the people o: the warning na.
tons informed as TO the results OF The
strife now raging abroad. the. wou!d
rise M In such vigorous protest as "a
compel the men In control to find some
way of bringing II to a termination and
TO evolve n basis whicb would prevent
future wars. was the concluding state.
ment of the speaker.