New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-06

among the warring nations Of Europe
will have on business in this country
By the withdrawal Of the patronage Of
those countries which are now buying
our products, Mr.. Gary predicts that
foreign producers will strive more dill
gently than ever TO supply those ma
t;ons that are financially able 10 pay
at prices based upon cheap labor and
cost.
Great Competition Ahead.
Our own producers. including wage
earners. says the head Of the Steel
Corporation, will find themselves in
commercial antaponism with the
most important and difficult compe-
tftion ever experienced, unless this
shall be prevented by laws that are
reasonable and sufficient 1t is the
prediction Of Nh Gary that most Of
the foreign producing countries will be
thoroughly protected by tariff pro-
visions and that this country should be
placed on a parity with them in this
respect
This is not a question of politics.
nor for political parties as such" says
Mr.. Gary. 'Tt is one Of economies ard
Of good business, and it affects all the
people. Il is a question of the great
est good to the greatest number There
should be an effort to ascertain and cs-
.ablish a line of justice and fairness
between the producer and the con-
gunner. It must be resolved on scien-
tifc principles after the ascertainmcnt
of facts and their due consideration.
Immedately prior TO the commence
nent of the present war and afterward,
until war orders, so-called, appeared
and Influenced change. business con
ditions in the United States were very
bad. The volume was considerable, but
the prices were unreasonable low
Many were selling their commodities
below cost. This was because the
prices Of imported products, made with
cheap labor and transported at low
rates, were below the cost Of prOduc-
tion here. These shipments, dumped
from surplus stocks, fixed the domestic
prices.
Hopes for Adequate Protection.
81 hope and believe whatever politi-
cal party Is in power much thought Will
be given TO the all important question
Of adequate-no more and no less
protection. Our people will succeed or
g., No olq
per at the expense of others. No class
can long continue in adversty without
similarly 2ffectine all others"
Basing his conclusions on the pres
ent state of the iron and steel trade
throughout the country, which more
or less reflects those OF Othcr lines.
Mr.. Gary sees evidences Of great pros
perity everywhere. They are appar-
ont. he says. in the banks, the stores.
the shops. the railroad figures. the
hotels. places Of amusement and the
enormous sums given 10 charitable and
relief demands.
"The rate of (steel and from pro-
duction az present in the United
States" he adds, "is about 3S.oOO0o
tons of pig iron nd about 100000
tons of steel ingo.s per annum. rms
compares with rate of l9,OUO,OO0
tons OF plg IRON ana 4''VDu'VoU toHa
of steel iugots al high water mark in
tn, year 1913 for pig i'm and 1912
for ingots. Furnaces and mills are
running al full capacity and II IS i'm
possible TO fully supply the demand
for prompt delivery.
Prices could easily be materially
advanced and perhaps will be. though
believe as 10 soue Of She cowMouI-
ties. AT Least. hey are hign enough.
II is not certain that they can be cor
trolled. for the reason that the re-
ouirements of the purchasers, and the
offers they make. iX the prices 20 "a
large extent The bookings are con
siderably i'm excess OF production,
which is larger than ever before.
apparently, about 70 per cent OF
the sales is for domestic consumption
and the balance for foreign use. direct
" or indirectly. The Influence of
the export sales upon domestic sales
/ do not undertake TO say
How Long viii Prosperity Last:
"Uow long," s-,hc question Mr.
Cary asks rogardno She continuat'oH
Of our present prosperity. The am