New Britain herald., 1926-10-01
PLAN FIGHT ON
 STEEL COMBINE
RuInO7 This Is Purpose Of ts kuSSOlini' Conference

offset the recent concord reached between France and Germany and possibly the effects of the newly formed steel combine of western European states Is seen by some of the European commentators on the meeting between Sir Austen Cham berlain and Premier Mussolini. Neither Great Britain, Italy, nor the United States is a member Of the combine, the announced purpose of which is to end competition within the ranks of it's members.
 The Giornale D-Italia, one of Rome's most prominent newspapers, goes so far as to characterize the meeting between Sir Austen and Signor Mussolini as being equal in importance to that Of the French and German foreign ministers, NJ. Briand and pr. Stresemann at Thoiry, where 1t was agreed by them to forget the past and work for complete harmony.
 The extreme Fascist organ, the Rome LImpero, thinks the Leghorn conference. at which it was official ly announced the most important in ternational problems of the day were discussed and the intimate re- lations of Italy and Great Britain confirmed, means Rome and Lon don are two names which make people think and hope"
 The Rome Lavoro Italia asserts that the meeting at Legnorn should cause no alarm to Paris and Berlin, because if France and Germany de- sire peace Italy and Great Britain will be glad to cooperate.
 Although no details have been an- nounced as to the exact subjects which Sir Austen and Premier Mus solini discussed. the pleasure writ ten on their faces at the conclusion of the conference was taken to in- dicate that they were in perfect ac- cord. British govrnment officials up to the present seemingly have evinced little interest in the Leg horn meeting.
 According to the German minister of economy, Herr Curtius, the steel consortium signud yesterday in Brussels by French, German, Bel gian, Luxembourg and Saare Valley interests, marks an important step for the future of Europe and re- turn to common sense in economic matters.
 The annual output of the combine will range from a minimum of 26,- 100000 tons to a maximum of 30,- o00,0 900 tons. Of the total Germany is to be allotted a percentage of 4S.1s; France 31.19; Belgium 11.63; Luxembourg S.23 and the Saare Valley 5.77.
 Each country Is to deposit s1 in a common fund for each ton man. ufactured within it's allotted per centage. For each excess ton pro- duced the producing country must pay $4 into the fund, while re- fund of s2 per ton will be paid any country failing in any one year to produce it's allotted percentage, of the minimum of 26.O00.00O tons theoretically sale prices will remain optional with each country, but it Is hoped to fix price whics will be adopted by all members of the consortium so as to avoid keen com petition between producers.
 Gary's Opinion
 Ebert H. Gary, chairman Of the United States steel corporation, is hopeful that great success will fol- low the western European steel con- sortium. In voicing what seems to be the sentiment of most Of the steel officials in the United States, Mir. Gary said:
 T think it's managers will be friendly toward American interests, and the sentiment will certainly be reciprocated by the steel interests in America"
 British steel interests declined to enter the project. and as far as Is known here steel producers in the United States were not invited to join in it." It was reported that they would have declined an invitation to do so.
 In Pittsburgh last night 1t was said the European combine possibly might bring keener competition for American steel products in Latin America and the Far East. The general opinion seemed to be, how ever, that the new consortium would have but slight effect upon the American industry because there is little demand for export, owing to the necessity to meet heavy do- mestic requirements. It was pointed out that a very small amount of American steel exports reaches