Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-02-23
Late Eastern News.
lnitiatory shipments OF Pacific Coast
Lumber TO Europe Meet with Platter
Ing Success.

lnitiatory shipments OF Pacific Coast
Ing Success.
SAN FRANCIsco, Feb. 19.-The in.
novation recently caused in CONNER
cial circles by the shipment of lumber
to Europe has been productive of
considerable comment as to the pro-
liability of creating new and very
profitable industry. At tho time Of
the initiatory shipment, per German
bark Helene, the venture was purely
speculative, and the impression
created was due to the low freights
of deep water vessels, and that ship
owners preferred to carry exports on
their own account rather than incur
the additional expense of waiting for
better fr.ights. Within the past few
weeks affairs have taken such n turn
as to warrant an increased trade in
lumber with Europe, and dealers in
consequence are jubilant. Very re-
Gently a shipment of Washington
Territory red tir was made to Scot
land, including small quantity of
cedar sent by a prominent house, and
certain grades OF black walnut, and
which will eventually enter largely
into articles of furniture. Inquiries
were recently made by a Danish
House, of local lumber firms, re-
questing information AS to the re-
sources of Oregon and Washington
Territory, and referring particularly
to the numbering interest of the
latter, A possibility of establishing
q trade in this respect was limited at,
as information was given that the
supply from the Baltic was made
quate to meet the demands Of the
whole continent. Another shipment
was recently made to London, of
which northern lumber formed the
most important article of export, and
to-day . contract was made for a
direct shipment from Washington
Territory of an assorted cargo of
lumber to Panama. Correspondence
which has been opened on the sub
ject places the home supply in Eu-
rope wholly out of the question as
offering any competition against
shipments from this coast. On the
other hand no definite understanding
exists in the minds of local dealers
as to the particular kind of lumber
needed by the foreign market. though
the opinion is generally entertained
by them that red fir and white pine,
which would be used principally for
finishing purposes, is what is wanted.
A shipment Of the latter was made
to Antwerp about two months ago,
aud the success which it will receive
is anxiously awaited. The coast
demand has largely increased, the
principal drift outside of the regular
trade extending as far southwark as
the scene of railroad improvements
in Mexico. This has drawn largely
on the lumber supply. so much SO as
to induce enterprising shippers to
extend operations further from home
by coming into active competition
with the Quebec trade in Central
America, notably Monte Video and
Busnos Ayres. Trade with the Aus
tralian colonies is rapidly assuming
great proportions, the principal ex-
port there being lumber for house
building. China is gradually coming
to the front as direct importer, and
it is believed that during the present
year it will be ono of the most i'm.
portant importers. Dealers Of the
State have every reason to feel graft.
fed and regard the future as not only
promising. but decidedly Aattering.
Failure Of Ayers & Son.
CHICAGO, Feb. 1S.-It was an.
nounced after business hours to-day,
that the great iron firm of John V.
Ayers L. Sons, had failed. Tho firm
has been doing an immense business.
There Office is in the Portland block
and the warehouses is on the corner
Of Clark and Taylor streets. Her
bert S. Ayers, the head OF the firm,
is said to have recently disposed OF
his house, but few suspected that it
WAS Q necessary step. The first esti-
mate plao ed tho liabilities at 81, 900, :
600. The accounts were kept at the
Union National bank.
Dissrsss Abread-R1fus Hatch Gables
tho situation.
CHICAGO, Feb. 18.-Uncle Rufus
Hatch cables the Tribune from Lon
don as follows: Press dispatches re-
ceived here from the United States,
though meagre. show that floods in
Ohio valley are appalling, but they
are local compared with the universal
inundaticn on the continent. Floods
in Austria always carry havoc, de-
struction and ruination, but the pre-.
sent distress in its general tenor and
widespread nature is unprecedented.
News from Germany, particularly, is
of a most pitiabls nature, snd thou
sands of people who q few months
ago were well-to.do and compare
livery lhuepouuout, oic Aow uopchu
ing upon neighbors and the public
for subsistence two or three months
past. Over 60 per cent. of the seed
that should have been planted
throughout Europe in December is
not yet in the ground. I get this
news from Bankers & Creek. mer-
chants who have extensive correspon-
dence throughout Great Britain and
the continent. They estimate that
acreage has decreased 60 per cent.
This throws dependence upon Amer
lea to a greater extent than at any
time within the last five years. The
American gram and provision crops
of 1882 and what she can raise in
1883 can be marketed on this side Of
the Atlantic with the greatest ease
and at full prices. Universal agri-
cultural distress, united with poverty.
social and political troubles. past
and to come, will tend to increase
immigration to America.