Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-05-27

pelore tne American Iron ana steel
Institute, Judge Elbert III. Gary, |
chairman of the United States Steel |
Corporation, stated that from pres /
ent appearances the production of
the sts@" industry this year will eX-
ceed that of any previous year, add |
ing that there is still room in this
country for the optimist, but no
place for the pessimist.-
He stated that most steel men are
making expenditures tur the busl- |
ness that is coming and that the
evidences of business activity are
remarkable. The people of ti,S coun-
try, he said, are growing richer;
that the wealth of the Nation is
equal to one-third or more of the
total wealth of all countries. He
concluded by stating that this wealth
would be invested to produce more
wealth.
Judge E. II. Garys speech fol-
lows:
"A great change has come over
the people of all nations since our
last annual meeting. The world
war seems to have been terminated,
though the details of the peace
terms have not yet been fully agreed
upon. We may properly rejoice that
negotiations have reached the point
| "iAShS II piObtiblC PSelSC wan
be established although we cannot
as yet see clearly in the far future.
Right has triumphed. An overrul-
ing Providence has protected civil
ization against ruthless attacks. All
nations and peoples rendering SER
vice on the side of justice, faithfully
and effectively performed their re-
spective part.
War Work of Steel
During the progress of the war
we were frequently informed by
representatives of the United States
Government, military and civil, who
were in authority and directly con-
nected with the purchase OF supplies
required for war purposes, that steel
was of the highest importance, and
we were urged to increase capacity
and to hasten production; we were
requested to devote our time, money,
and energyfin behalf of our Govern
ment and its associates in the war, to
the exclusion of everything else. 1t
was emphasized that if disaster was
to be averted, there must be addi-
tional war material, food supplies
and transportation facilities and that
larger and larger quantities of steel
were fundamental to all these means
of carrying on the war. Repeatedly
demands made for steel, both as to
quantity and delivery, were impos-
sible of fulfillment.
| However, the manufacturers
never became disheartened or de-
moralized. They listened patiently
to the claims and reasons presented
and then considered carefully all
figures bearing upon the subject of
necessity and ability, to produce, and
made their calculations accordingly.
Fired with feelings of patriotism,
yet with composed mind and deter
mined spirit, those in control of the
iron and steel industry again and
again promised that steel would be
furnished when and as required for
military purposes.
1T is sufficient to say that in
every substantial particular the iron
and steel industry made good all its
promises. There were no deficiencies
in quantity nor delays in delivery
which were harmful. If these mat
ters had been left entirely in the
hands of the general committee of
the American Iron and Steel Insti-
tute, there would have been no de-
Ilinquencies whatever.
I'VE no whave reason to assume
that peace terms will be agreed to
majority of governments and that
League of Nations for the continued
preservation of peace will be estab-
lished. A large majority of the peo-
pie of all countries are favorable to
these results and their desire and
will must prevail. If the plan adopt
ed, in form or substance, shall prove,
by experience to be imperfect or
incomplete, corrections or amend
ments can be made later. IF the
plan turns out to be unworkable or
unsatisfactory, it can and will be
abandoned. Naturally everyone is
wondering whether or not peace will
be permanent or long continued.
There are numerous things to be
considered, too many for discussion
or even reference at this time; but
the controlling factor in this respect
is one of fairness to all nations, TAX
ing all the facts and circumstances
into account.
''It is to be presumed that the
Central Government with their asso-
ciates in the war will sign the terms
of peace offer, or will at least sub
NIT to them. They are hopeless and
have no alternative. For this reason,
if for no other, those who rendered
the terms of peace should be more
lconsiderate and painstaking.
'The question of leaving to Ger
many the facilities and opportuni-
ties for production and financial
success in order to enable her to
pay the large sum which she will be
found to owe, need not be discussed
at this time. The saving from star
vation of innocent people in Ger
many is of higher importance.
Notes Improvement
Believing the war is ended and
that peace will soon be declared we
linstinctively turn our thoughts to the
present and future economic stua-
tons. We realize that competition
between the business men of this
country and those of other countries.
and between ourselves however good
natured and friendly, will be persis-
tent and aggressive. So far as the
members of this institution are con-
cerned it will never Intentionally be
wanton and destructive. We have
learned the folly and wrong of such
course, but we believe that the un-
lderlying reason for precipitating the
late war was economic and that the
Iquestion which is uppermost in the
minds of many, If not most Of the
Representatives at the peace confer
ence is economic and that a desire
for economic advantage and success
Twill actuate the political, financial
and industrial administrator of af-
fairs of all countries in future de-