Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-13
U. 5. GETS
ALL STEEL
IN NATION
Ample Supply of Indispens-
able War Metal Assured
at Conference Between
Officials and Manufac-
turers.
FAIR PRICE WILL BE
FIXED AFTER INQUIRY

FIXED AFTER INQUIRY
Washington, D. c.. July 12.-Formal
announcement Is made by Secretary
Baker that an agreement was reached
today with representatives Of the
American steel industry in conference
here, under which the entire product
Of the industry is to be made available
for the governments war purposes at
4 price to be determined on the basis
OF cost OF production inquiry being
conducted by the federal trade com.
mission.
On their side, the government rep
resentatives assured the steel men
that reasonable profits will be includ-
ed in the price fixed and that pro-
vision also will be made to care for
the expansion OF the industry to meet
new demands.
TO DISTRIBUTE ORDERS.
The government also assured the
steel men that its war order will be
distributed over the entire iron and
steel producing capacity Of the coun-
/ try, leaving no single producer or
! group Of producers to carry an unfair
! share Of the war burden.
This agreement answers one Of the
governments big wartime questions
I and assures a sufficient supply Of
steel, indispensable metal for all war
! purposes.
PRODUCTION IS CONSIDERED.
! Today's conference followed one
yesterday, held behind closed doors.
/! At It's conclusion. Secretary Baker
ISSUED statement saying the meeting
was for the purpose Of discussing the
total steel production Of the country
and It's availability for the purposes Of
carrying on the war. Pending the In
sq6iry of the federal trade commission
! fIe S.aii, no ss01Isigieration was given
the subject Of prices
BAKERS STATEMENT.
/, At the close of today's conference
Secretary Baker issued the following
statement:
/! "At the conference this morning be.
tween the committee of the American
iron and steel institute and the secre-
ttary Of war. the secretary Of navy,
lthe chairman OF the shipping board
and Mr.. Baruch, further discussion
WAS had Of the prospective demands
upon the steel industry Of the coun-
lfry for supplies Of various steel prod
fucts for carrying on the war.
| '.The steel men repeated their as
|surance that the entire product would
jbe available for the need and that
they were doing everything possible
No stimulate and increase production
and speed deliveries.
PRICE TO BE FAIR.
"The price to be paid for iron and
seteel products furnished was left to
be determined after the inquiry by the
federal trade commission Is completed
with the understanding that the price
when fixed, would insure reasonable
profits and be made with reference to
the expanding needs of this vital and
fundamental industry.
''The representatives Of the govern.
rment assured the committee of the
steel institute that 1t was the inten-
ikion of the government to distribute
the war requirements over the entire
eron and steel producing capacity of
the country"
4 Manufacturers participating in the
yEonferences are headed by Ebert Fl.
Gary and constitute special commit
tee Of the American iron and steel IN
Btitute.
I, plscUssloN WAKES WARM.
Although all Of the participants in
The conference were reticent. it trans
pired that there were some heated dis.
cussion OF the steel question yester.
day.
More than one veiled charge was
made that the producers have boosted
The price of steel to an inexcusable
negres snd do not seem moved, like
manufacturers Of other products. to
respond to patriotic appeals to aid the
government both in increasing pro.
nnction and reducing prices.
The steel men resented these insin-
nations and came back at the govern.
ment officials with the assertions
Shat all the steel needed
would be furnished on reasonable
lerms and that more steel is now
available than the government facili-
Hies as now organized can handle.
DANIELS THREAT RECALLED.
Mr.. Gary said that 100000 tons of
steel could be supplied monthly for
ehipbuilding, but that the government
As unable to find the labor to handle
construction on this scale.
There has been good deal Of talk,
chiefly promoted by Secretary of the
Navy Daniels, that the government
would commander the steel plants IL
the steel producers failed to come to
terms.
AMERICANS TO WEAR
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