Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-02-14

OLYMPIA, WASH.
FRIDAY EVENING. FEBRUARY II, 1890.
In Lumber we Trust.
In the STANDARD of the 3lst ultimO
appeared an article under the caption
of cause OF the Lumber Decline" in
which the Pacific Lumber Co., OF
San Francisco, was given an Opportu-
nifty to modify or remove the impress
sion produced by newspaper para
graph going the rounds that the re-
duction Of working time in the mills
ON the Sound was owing to an order
issued by that company, which was
denominatcd the Lumber trust OF
the Pacific" That company denied
the allegation, so far as its own action
was concerned, and hy intimation, at
least, endeavored to produce the i'm
preston that the reduction of hours
was simply an act OF SELF protection on
the part of the mills. Il: stated as a
fact that 10000 600 feet o. lumber was
piled up, unsold, without market, in
the yards of San Francisco, and tina.
the mills on tie Sound, realizing that
there could be no object in increasing
that accumulation, had adopted the
very obviously proper expedient OF re-
stricting production.
This appeared to be very reasona-
ble solution OF the matter, and led
very naturally to the impression that
the Pacific Lumber Co. and kind,
red organizations had been very un'
Justly assailed by placing them in the
category of trusts" but We now have
indubitable evidence that an organiza.
ton has existed, and probably still ex.
lists, with even less suggestive name
than their own, which did and proba.
bly, does, assume to control the sale Of
logs and the production Of lumber on
Puget Sound. This company is known
Is the Puget Sound Brokerage Co.
The name, it will be observed, mea Ms
much or little, something or nothing
as occasion may warrant, and is not
likely to attract. attention to corners
in saWlogs or limits in labor hours as
legitimate objects Of its being" The
following circular will throw some
light on the object OF this combine, al
we'll as their methods of doing bust
ness:
GEO. " srErsoN, Pres D. T.. WHEELER, Sec
Office Of the
PU3ET SOUND BROY ERAGE CO.
SEATTLE, May 4th, 1885,
Gents, have just received the following
Tacoma. Nays. lsss.-ToD 7. Wheeler: No
tify al mills we have rejected boom from Sat
win try to sell elsewhere TACOMA MILL Co."
You will please take notice aud not purchase
rs Yours truly, ID. 7. WHEELER,
Secretary.
It is said that the Puget Sound Bro
kerage Co. is an organization of saw.
mill owners on the Sound who belong
likewise to the Pacific Pine Lumber
Co., of San Francisco; that it is a
wheel within wheel, attached to and
moving the same machinery. Wheth-
or this is true or not, is immaterial in
the consideration Of this subject, ex-
cept as affecting the credibility of the
statement made by the lumber compa-
ny that they were innocent of the
chaf4e Of exercising control over the
output Of the mills.
The methods Of the Brokerage Co.
arc clearly Indicated by the above cir.
cular. Some Of the details, as given
by what We deem to be reliable an
thority, are as follows: The loggers
were divided into classes, or districts,
and the milb agreed-to buy only Of
those that the combination stipulated
should supply each particular mill,
In case any logger, or logging com
pany. should act independently, and
endcavor TO sell logs to mill outside
tho combine, the organization would
Immediately order boycott on the
product, and if it was not thus sold, it
would Be thrown upon . market that
would take every advantage, by seal
ing and condemning, which would
place the logger absolutely at their
mercy. and compel him to take what
ever they were willing to pay, or leave
his product in the water till it-fell q
heritage to the teredo.
Infvidw:of these facts, the passage
of the antitrust bill, in the lower
House Of tho Legislature this week was
not inoppQrtupe. and We hope that the
Senate will speedily ratify it by an
unanimous vote. When the suppress
sion Of . combine OF workingmen is
deened Of sufficient Importance to
place It under the immediate and ar
bitrary control of the Governor, backed
by stringent provisions Of law, it seems
that modification ef the principle.
applied to combines Of capital, is just
- worthy Of SOME statutory provision,
JUDGE Hanford, after a delay which
has caused much dissatisfaction and
loss, has received the appointment OF
U. 8. District Judge for this State. add.
ing AietInef laurel to. Seattle's bediz.
ened etesp. both. Senator'S urged
this action, and are responsible for an
act which, at best, is tolerated simply
becauss it cannot be undone. There
is some consolation, however, in the
though that it cooks the goose ol
Squire, and probably Of Allen MS we'll
The Republican party is sick on the
fruits Of victory, and will scarcely be
convalescent when the time of cleo
ton rolls around.
->e-
FIVE Democratic Senators have fled
from the legislature Of Montana, Ia
break q quorum, until guaranty is
given that > fair investigation OF the