The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-01
NO ADVANCE In RATES.
LUMBERMEN PUT IN A PETITION
FOR A REDUCTION.

The Commission Refuses the Railros ds'
Petition for an Advance on Naval
| Stores and Lumber-A New Petition
| in Now for a Lowering of the Lum-
Der Rates - Gossip OF the Rate
Question.
The petition Of the railroads for an iu-
crease in rates upon lumber and naval stores
was refused by the railroad commission,
and the lumber and naval stores men are
correspondingly happy. They regarded an
| increase in rates as especially initiating
| agaist Savannah, as it would cause ship
menis in the southern and western portions
Of the state to incline toward the west, as
the difference in the rates would have been
been in favor of that section.
GOOD THING FOR THE STANDARD.
The Standard Oil Company, the naval
stores men say, would have been gamer
by it, as it buys up the naval stores product
direcs from the mills through its agents,
paying very nearly the prices Of the Savan-
nah market. and shipping the product
throughout the west, where it does a large
business in handling naval stores. An in
crease in rates to Savannah would have
been an inducenent to the producer to sell
"AO AJ1ohN4dIu VA Company AhSbCuu VI
shipping his product to Savannah.
THE WHOLE THING BLUFF.
One Of the largest mill men in the state,
who was seen by a MORNING NEWS re-
porter last night, said that he did not be-
lieve from the first that the railroads had
any idea that their petition would be
granted, and In his opinion 1t was simply a
bluff to prevent an application on the part
OF the lumber and naval stores men for a re-
duction Of rates. The lumbermen had in a
petition for a reduction Of rates
several months ago. but it
was not pushed, and short while since the
petition was withdrawn. AS soon as the
petition was withdrawn the railroads put in
petition for an increas Sc in rates.
REDUCTION ASKED FOR.
AS soon as the petition of the railroads
was refused the lumbermen of the state put
in petition for reduction in the rates
upon lumber of about 25 per cent They
desire restoration Of the rates in operation
two years ago known as "Class T, less 90
per cent" but which were raised
at the petition of the railroads
TO simply "Class P" The lumbermau said
he had no donbt that the reduction asked
for will be granted.
1.-THE lumber business" he said, sis In a
depiorable condition. About one-fourth of
the mills have shut down, and most Of the
Others would be glad to do So
THE LUMBER MARKET.
This condition has been brought about by
combination Of circumstances. The
South American market, which formerly
took the greater portion Of the Gulf export,
is practically dead for the time being, with
little prospect of Immediate Improvement.
Instead Of taking from 1000 900 to AGO.
OUU,OOO feet year, l do not believe they
have taken 2,0O0,0 900 feet within the last six
months.
business in the European countries is in
such state that there is practically no de-
mand there for our lumber. The mills in
the western section Of the pine belt are cut
ting more timber than is needed for west
ern consumption, and, of course, the sur
plus has to ind an outlet at the ports.
EFFECT OF THE BOYCOTT.
The lumber boycott in New York. not
withstanding all reports to the contrary.
has reduced the demand for lumber there to
almost nothing, Add to this the financial
condition Of the country ever since last fall,
which has greatly diminished building and
improvements everywhere, and you will
see what a state the business is in. l have
never in all my life known the lumber busi-
ness to bs at so low an ebb. The prospects
arenot growing any brighter, either. Our
position is that the railroads can better
nlAOiu W obSOukdko JuiS btdluC. winch Is q
large Jurce of income to them, by reducing
the rates, than to lose the business almost
altogether.
THE RAILROADS TIRE BEST OFF.
"There is more money in it now for the
railroads than for the lumbermen. | paid
the railroads $4,000 last year, and
that's a good deal more than I got
out of the business. We will have no
trouble in proving the condition of the bus
mess as 1 have stated it to you before the
railroad commission, and for that reason
feel sure that our petition will be granted"
The petition for reduction of rates upon
lumber will be heard by the commissioners
within thirty days.