St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-17

Inc NORTHWESTERN LunDerlueHs dosooi"
ton met in convention in Minneapolis yes
terday, with large attendance.
President A. G. Van Shaik called the
meeting to order. He stated that it would
please him if the convention select some one
else to occupy the chair, but upon the motion
of Vice President Merriman Mr.. Van Shaik
was unanimously voted the choice Of the
body Plat B. Walker was chosen assistant
to secretary E. S. Hotchkiss, when the presi-
dent delivered an address OF some length, in
the course of which he said:
''We have met to-day to consider the pres
ent condition of western lumber trade, and
to discuss matters connected with it, and by
the aid of the knowledge we acquire here,
endeavor to conduct our business for the adj
vantage of the lumber producing section we
represent.
''We, at the opening of the saving season
OF 1884, are confronted by surplus of saw
logs, large but not an excessive supply Of
lumber, a moderate demand from yard deal
ers generally, fair consumption of building
material and declining market for agricul-
tural products, merchandise and labor. This
condition of trade Is not altogether satisfac-
tory, but with the present easy money mar
ket, and the prospect OF an average sale OF
lumber for consumption during the year,
remedies may be applied that will place the
Western lumber business on q substantial
basis.
at would be equally unbusiness-like for
any action to be talllen at this convention to
reduce the supplyof lumber with the intention
of advancing current prices, as such action
would be unfair to consumers, whose assets
cd in 1IIri 81 hS
past, and for. the additional reason that
manufacturers not in sympathy with US would
naturally increase their production. Rather
seek to increase the net returns by economy
in usuirg logs, and a reduction in the cost
of manufacture by reducing the pressure for
labor and transportation, and the waste OF
mill machinery in saving the last fifth OF
your stock, which actually brings no return.
| respectfully suggest that the true policy
for lumber manufacturers is to saw less
lumber the present season than last, carry
the unsawed logs into 1885, and provide less
logs hereafter, until consumption equals
the manufacturing capacity of the country"
/ respectfully suggest that the convention
consider that portion Of the Morrison tariff
bill which proposes to place lumber on the
free list. As no Canadian lumber can be
sold in Minnesota or Wisconsin and little at
Chicago, it may not appear OF sufficient i'm
portance to warrant attention. In my opin-
ion it would have been proper to have fixed
the time for placing lumber on the free list
when the Dominion OF Canada made the
lumber Of the west as free OF duty when ship
ed into the British possessions, and l also
believe that the enactment Of the law would
result in advancing value Of Canadian pine
lumber, and not reduce the cost of lumber In
the least to western consumers.
Any business which relates to the manu-
facture or sale Of lumber will be in order to-
day, and trust full and free discussion
will be had and that when this convention
adlourns eech delegate will consider that his
time has been protitably employed.
THE CUT.
f. Warehouser, Of Chippewa Falls, stated
that there are about $4,000, 900 feet Of logs
cut along the Chippewa, but low water will
interfere with the drive.
Ernest Harper, of Saltwater, said there are
about rs, 900, 900 feet of new logs on the st.
Croix, and the aggregation Of old and new
logs is 325, 0OO,0 900, about the same as last
year.
g. :. Shaw, of Davenport, reported that
there are about 200, 000, 900 old and new
logs in Black river, which Is a less amount
than last year, and the chances for clean
drive are slim. In Davenport, Rock Island
and Moline the stock Of lumber is less than
last year.
Major Camp, of Minneapolis, stated that
100, 900, 900 feet Of logs had been carried over
from last year on the upper Mississippi, but
the amount would be reduced by losses to
ITO, 600, 900 feet There is about 80, 900, 900
feet in the new cut, making total of $780,
900, 900 feet. OF this amount, about $780,
900, 900 feet will probably be cut, and the
balance will BIO carried over to the next year.
Thos. Cranage, Jr., of Bay City, stated the
supply Of logs in the Saginaw valley will be
about the same as last year. He explained
also that the lum Der trade of his district was
being extended to northern markets eXclu-
stvely.
Mr.. Swan Of Nuskegon reported about
900, 000,0 900 feet cut-new and old-on the
Muskegon. Of the amount about 200, 000,
900 feet had been carried over from last
year. He stated in addition that sales of
lumber are light.
UNITED ACTION.
T. W. Harvey. Of Chicago, took the floor
to advocate united action by all the lum-
herman in regard to prices Of lumber, and
llaU loSI SCel GnC uCdICIS anu
ufacturers were sure of one dollar per thou
sand through the medium Of a circular sent
out by the secretary Of the association.
E. w. Darant, of Saltwater, said in sub
stance: ,@In our section we had expected
high water and good drive, but the snow
has passed off with little good to us. What
think would be the best thing to do would be
to appoint, q committee to draw up state
ment ofsfwhat is needed, and then we can
adopt .,si.t:r,hssAe drives, unless we get abun-
DAMP Rip. win be partial failure. In that
event Something must be done for protec-
ton, sand L would suggest that a committee
OF ten be appointed to draw up plan of ac-
ton"
Gov. Ludington, of Milwaukee, was of the
opinion that their logs would get in all right.
They had carried over some 100000, 900
feet of logs from last year and had cut 400,
DOC, coo feet the present season.
The following committee was appointed
on business:
E. w. Durant, Saltwater.
o. c. Merriman, Minneapolis.
F. Warehauser, Rock Island.
A. G. Van Schaick, Chicago.
NJ. G. Norton, Winona.
j. G. Thorp. Eau Claire.
Thomas Cranage, Jr., Bay City.
W. j. Young, Clinton.
E. W. Harvey, Chicago.
T