The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-01-19
John A. Topping Sees Need Of Tariff Revision by
United States as Defensive Measure After War
WAR LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FoR
PRESENT PROSPERITY.
Americas Industry WIN Face ssriom
situation when European Compe-
utton Is Restored.

John a. Topping. "A former Wheeling
the high officials OF the Aemrican sheet
ana Tin Plate company. and now is
chairman OF the board OF the Republic
following openinE-of- the-year review of
the conditions in the iron and steel in
dustry and predictions OF future devel-
Opments. especially after the close of
the worlds war brings a return OF
European compe tition:
1t can be said. without qualification.
mat existing conditions in the iron and
steel trade, unquestionably. are without
parallel In trade history. for within a
bflet space OF "a few months the steel
business has been lifted out Of the
depths OF depression TO its present posi-
ton OF afflucnCc. Notwithstanding the
TACT That constructive demands in this
country at no time during the year have
run IN excess OF so per cent Of normal.
In other directions. however. domestic
consum ptton has increased enormously.
supplemented by an abnormal export
demand with totals for the year 1915
probably close TO "a record basis. Exports
totals alone being close 10 from $500
900 10 5000. 000 tons. which total is APP
lt1Nlmately 10 per cent Of our present
rolled-stcel capacity. Current monthly
exports are running some what in excess
OF the average for the year. and IL con-
tinued at the present rate. the year
1915 will. unduestionabiy. show a very
IArge Increase In exports. probably APP
is. therefore. apparent that present
prosperity Is largely due TO wars de-
hands ana TO the high tariff conditions
shutting off hurtfui foreign eompotI-
tloni good crops. abundant and cheap
money have. however, been very slim
ulating as influences.
War. while acting as "A healthy slim
ulaEt TO Industry here. has also created
a. condition OF dangerous Initiation
abroad. and. therefore. with the estab-
lishment OF peace. there must come a
period OF readjustmcnt Of not only
European finances. but Of labor rates
day abroad will. unquestionably. pro-
duce some disturbance here TO our III
nancial and business situation OF great
er or less intensity. its extent being
or our defensive measures.
With the establishment Of peace.
strenuous efforts Will undoubtedly be
made by all European countries to re-
gain their gold losses. without which 90
viii be difficult FOR them 10 properly re-
habilitate themselves financially. one
OF the most effective ways FOR obtain
INK gold supplies would he through tN-
port channels. and particularly through
own export position Will. undoubtcdly
bc adversely affected. because all of tho
countries now at war and with whom
We arc trading. viii undoubtedly be
compelled to raise their tariffs. In ord
er 10 increase governmental revenues ON
imports OF non-competitive products.
ana 10 protect employment and gold
supplies 10y minimizing imports on COM
petitive products. General impovcrish-
: fnenL abroad VIII also doubtless enforce
. period OF retrenchment. and thus re-
ducc home consumption. In which event
European manufacturers viii be COM
PEELED 20 seek more aEressINsly out side
markets. and TO obtain such markets.
all the resources of state and fOrcl gu
combinations VIII be cNcrtcd 20 prevent
Unemployment and increase gold import
by regaining markets now lost as a
result Of the war.
THAT Europe has the ability TO in
wade our markets but few question. Tor
u should be RENE bered that the war
has not destroyed factory equipment or
| seriously affected orEanlzation eff
cheney or productivity. this being par
ticularly true Of the German steel in
cuStrN. recent reports indicating that
even under war conditions Germany is
producing close Co - per cont 81 capa-
city. II may be admitted that the loss
I IN both quality and quantity Of labor
by the war will tend 70 Increase costs.
but 7 am 81 the opinion that short sup
Ply Of labor will be offset b. reduced
. employment and by lahor-saving de-
( cost Of production viii not be increased
whereas In this country the great dis
parity heretofore existing between Ia
Dor costs here and abroad have been
recently widencd by advances in our
. labor rates. and consequently our man
uafcturing position has been weakened
| IN equipment processes. and through ef-
ficicncy efforts. / am. therefore.
strongly Of the opinion that the only
practical way 90 protect home markets
Is through n revision Of our tariff
schedules. 20 avoid this unfair foreign
competition.
1T f. encouraging Co observe however.
that ways and means are now being COM
sidered hv Admiuisfraflon officials 90
prevent this unfair foreign competition.
" recent utteranccs by the Secretary Of
Commerce. Mr.. william o. Redficld. and
Nlce-Chairman Edws~d ~ Hurley. 81
the Federal Trade Commission. are 20 he
accepted. The business world generally
is kecnly alive 20 tho necessity FOR
some defensive action. and most bust
ness OrEantzafiOng fhrOu EhOuf the
United states are urging some plan Of
relief. The preUOnds rance 81 business
opinion ts. inquest fonnhly. IN favor Of
n revision Of tho tartff. and the cstab-
liehmont ~ n permanent non-parfi san
tariff commission. coupled with leglqlu-
ton which would provide for greater
fleNibuity than exists under present
laws. so that the changing necessities
~ both business and government in
come can DO met
~ prompt measures ~ RELIEF are
adopted. see no reason 10 anticipate
az the close ~ the war any disturbance
Go industry here. beyond "a brief per-
I IUN OF rnuHfrUHf INn activity and ~ rrD-