Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-16
NAVAL STORES MEN MEET
PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE AS
ISOLATION ORGANIZED.

Overproduction, Ov, rcharges by Fac
tors and the state OF Trade Discussed
The waycross Commuters Report
Some Suggestions Contained In 1t -
The STANDARD Oh Company Propo-
sitiou Resolutions Adopted by the
Conventional fficers of thu Association
Yesterday was a sort of Held day for the
manufacturers OF naval stores. They
met at the Marshall House in the forenooE
and discussed oyerpr0ductiOn, the general
state oil the trade, overcharges and other
grievances against factors. The Board
Of Trade, through Its President, Capt.
Fred. NJ. Hull, offered the use of its
rooms.to the manufacturers, and yoluu-
tesred to aid them IN any way possible.
Three representatives OF the Standard Oil
Company were on the ground and did
good deal of talk ing TO the producers be-
fore the meeting was called TO order.
Mr.. A. Z. Brantey, young but quite
prominent manufacturer, was made
chairman and Mr.. j. NJ. Purdom
was chosen secretary. The first thing
that was discussed was suggestion of
the chairman's, that perhaps it was the
sense OF the meeting that all who were
not producers OF naval stores should
withdraw. Maj. Lettord, of Bryan
county, objected, and motion that all
present be invited to remain was car
Tied.
THE wAYCRoss COMMITTEE.
When that matter was settled the
chairman stated tnat the object of the
meeting was to near and act uDon the re
port Of the committee appointed at the
Waycross convention Oct. q, to confer
with the factors.
Messrs. A. z. Brantley, L, johnson, d.
c. Newton. j. NJ. Purdom and w. +. Bur-
bage constituted tnat committee. Messrs.
BTantley and Burbage were unable to
meet the other members in savannah
Nov. D. MIR. Brantley requested Mir.
Townsend to act in his stead, and Messrs.
johnson, Ne wton, Purdom and Townsend
called upon the factors IN this city.
The object OF the visit, as described In
the report, was ''tO investigate certain
grievances felt and complained Of by
naval stores manufacturers; 10 ascertain
the methods adopted by the different fac
tors and commission merchants in deal
ing with their customers, their various
charges for handling turpentne and
rosin, and their method OF buying and
billing goods TO manufacturers"
CONFERENCE WITH THE FACTORS.
The committee was also to see what
concessions, If any, could be secured
from the factors in their charges. All of
the factors called upon received the COM
mitCee courteOusly, and freely talked over
the questions raised. 1t was found that
the methods ofdoing business among the
factors differ in charges for handling
goods and charges for buying supplies for
customers.
"One leading firm" said the report,
t'charged only &c. per barrel for
inspection on rosin, and Sc. inspec-
ton on turpentIne, while the
Others interviewed admitted that they
RbarUnd 90 for md
12c. on turpentlne. 1t was further devel-
oped that &c. Tor T0siu and Sc. for spirits
were all tnat was paid by the factors to
the inspectors. and one firm pays but &c.
and SC. In all cases where &c. and he.
are charged on account sales for rosin
and spirits clear profit of &c, per barrel
is made by the factor.
Upon iurtner investigation ofthis point
we found by reference 10 the city code
that the city ordinance regulating Inspec-
ton charges provided that not more than
sc. Tor rosin and l0c. for spirits
were allowed 10 be charged by the
inspectors, and line OF 500 for each viola.
tion OF the ordinance was provided upon
conviction OF a party for the offeuse.
Most OF the factors stated that they were
not aware that such an ordinance was in
force.
UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW.
''Since the Investigation was made this
ordinance has been widely discussed
The factors, we understand, claim that
the ordinance does not apply to them. but
only to the inspectors. So they say If the
inspectors keep within the law they the
factors have right to charge whatever
they please to their customers tor inspec.
ton. That the said ordinance was in
tended by the city Tor the protection OF
naval stores manufacturers against eX-
cessive charges for the inspection of their
goods we respectfully submit"
No satisfactory plan WAS suggested by
any factor for the curtailing of produc-
tion, the report continued. majority Of
the Drms said they could not make any
concessions on prices tor handling naval
stores. Messrs. Baldwin d Co., aud w.
w. Gordon Il Co., made proposition to
the committee that in case the cO-Opera-
tive ASSOCIATION is not organized they
will handle the naval stores OF manufac-
turers on the following terms: 1.-The
financial arrangements made with any
manufactures TO be entirely on the basis
OF his financial responsibility, and
must be satisfactory to the Trims; ~ per
cent. commission on gross value 10 be
charged for handling turpentine and rOsin
and One-halt of 1 per cent. insurance, s
per cent. interest on all money and sup
plies advanced by Baldwin Il Co. and s
per cent by Gordon a. Co., and the same
rate to be allowed customers on money
lett III the factors hands on credit. All
goods and supplies bought Tor msnufac-
turers TO be filed at exact cost of same,
and IA per cent. commission for buying
and selling the same"
THE MATTER OF INSPECTION.
Each house was found TO have it's regu-
lar inspector. who inspected and gauged
all OF the receipts OF that house, tue re-
port stated. The leading factors admitted
that tor several years profit OF &c. on
rOsin, and 4c. on spirits was made by
them by means OF an arrangement with
the storage yards, whereby &c. and &c
per barrel on rOsin and spirits were
charged, but a rebate of half tue charges
WAS allowed toe factors, the benefit Of
which they did not give the manutac-
turers. On freight the factors claimed to
be charging no more than the transpOrta-
tion companies charged them.
In conclusion, the report urged the
necessity Of checking the oYerproduction
which, IL kept up, will completely destroy
the pine forests OF Georgia.
Upon the motion OF Maj. Lettord, the
report was received.
Chairman Brantley teen threw out the
inquiry whether the manufacturers
ba fap l,l,