Evening star., 1924-08-02
Ban on Pittsburgh h Plus
Hailed as Public Victory

The recent decision of the Federal
Trade Commission ordering the United
States Steel Corporation to abandon
the Pittsburgh plus plan OF basing
steel prices seems to have been one
of the most popular actions in the
commissions history. Everywhere it
Is regarded as victory for fair deal
ing, and particular satisfaction is ex-
pressed by the press of the West and
South.
Under that system" the Portland
Oregon Journal explains, "the price
Of steel purchased anywhere in the
country amounted to the price in
Pittsburgh, plus the cost of shipment
to the point at which 1t was pur-
chased, even though the steel may
have been manufactured at the point
of purchase and never shipped a mile.
It was an arbitrary charge which,
the Federal commission says, cost the
farmers Of eleven Western States
$40, ,oo0, 600 a year. The decision. IL
upheld by the courts, will end the
operation of a charging system for
steel that should never have existed
TT made of Pittsburgh" observes the
Indianapolis News, "the steel capital
and discouraged independent output"
The order mot only puts other steel
centers on a competitive basis with
Pittsburgh" continues the Birming-
ham Age-Herald, but "it relieves the
steel purchasers and users OF cost
protect the Pittsburgh leadership in
steel at the public's expense. Thus
the decision. important as 1t is to
the steel industry" according to the
Memphis News-Scimitar, rs stun more
far-reaching in that 1t assures actual
competitive conditions and ends the
most Ingenious and insidious method
of price-fixing which has yet been
devised"
"An economic triumph for the West,
a triumph for free commerce in gen.
eral" is the way the St. Louis Post
Dispatch puts it. Indeed, lit marks one
of the greatest victories the West has
ever won," Gays the st. Paul Dispatch.
because "it will end price-axing sys-
tenn which for two decades has held the
West under the domination Of the east
ern steel industries, and has stunted the
natural industrial development Of Mime
eota. Alabama and other States fitted
BY their situation to become powerful
steel factors" Tho Davenport Demo-
crat feels that '.here in Davenport.
where they make steel cars. we have a
right to congratulate ourselves on the
decision which wipes out Pittsburgh
plua'" A victory for the Middle West,
continues the Lansing State Journal.
where it will reduce costs to users Of
the steel which enters into building and
many Industrial products. and will pro-
mote the development Of the steel busi-
ness throughout the central section Of
the Nation 1t will. mean great deal
to Kansas and all the Middle West" in
the opinion Of the Wichita Beacon. The
Albany Knickerbocker Press also sees
an Immense advantage in producing
steel for New York and New England
as near to the point where steea In used
In large quantities ~ 10 possible"
Pointing out that the evidence given
in the case showed that there - little
or no competition between the United
states Steel Corporation and independ-
ent plants in various sections OF the
country, the Detroit News holds ''the in
dependent as well as the Steel Corpora
ton. was getting the benefit Of Pitts
burgh plus. and was holding up the con-
sumer." II the decision results in de-