The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-16
THE LUMBER COMBINE.
MIR. q, q. Tiff Says It Has Not Gone to
Pieces by any Means.

Pieces by any Means.
TETON, GA, June 14.-Editor Morn.
tng Netos: Please allow me to correct
the statement contained In the sensational
article in the MORNING News OF June 8,
headed "a Combine That Failed"
In the first place, your informant starts
OUT wrong. The association is not dead"
nor Is 1t ION the verge of dissolution"
Neither was IL organized for the purposes
claimed by him, i. e., to take orders at q
central point to be distributed among the
mills. Such plan was proposed at the
first meeting in Macon, March TO- but no
action was taken on the proposal, except
to appoint committees to agitate the subject
OF organization. By reference TO the in
closed circular letter, which was sent out 70
the mills April 80, you will see that the
association was formed for the purpose of
educating those not in a position to get
market reports and keep posted on priceI
aud lumber values, and show them that the
market would justify a raise in price, and
correct other abuses now hampering the
lumber industry, and suppress the class of
operatives whose methods have reduced the
small mill men to that state described by
him, 1. e., nearly on the verge of bank
ruptcy.n
Many Of the manufacturers are not In
position to get market reports aud know the
| chance purchaser or commission man for
information as to prices, and right here is
where one OF his class find an objection to
the association and he gives the thing away
In his Interview. His objection to a price
list Is suggestive. especially as price list is
for the purpose Of educating mill men
on values and raising prices price list
"nlcn truly represents the market, well
| supported, will greatly increase the price of
| our product, and II he belongs to one OF the
Large firms" and is Financially strongn
and expects TO make his money out OF his
| own mill-cut, then raise in prices cannot
but be benefit to him. This is SO plain
that l think every, one will concede its cor
| rectness. Then, If true. how can he object
to list for the general control of millsl
The truth is, there is no opposition TO our
scheme except from those who expect to
make money out of other peoples lum-
Der by preventing its accomplish
ment OF the purposes for which
the exchange" was organized. There is
absolutely nothing In his claim-under his
conception of the plan of the association
that the financially strong" mills would
have to carry Them" the weak mills. The
weak mills are not asking to be carried.
All they ask is that those who enter the
markets and take the business shall do so at
prices justified by the demand, and then
pay them fair prices for the lumber. AT
present this is not being done. On the con-
trary, there are those who claim to be all
right financially" who go into the markets
and cut and slash prices. relying on being
able to apply the screws to the small mill
men and compel them to take the business
at from 81 to $50 less per thousand than the
stock should bring
The true lnwardnessn Of his opposition
to our effort to raise the price of lumber is
revealed IN his statement that scheme Is be-
inc FeaA kalr
ization comprising only those of good
financial standing" and then secure Ito
themselves) the benefits sought by taking
up and handling the product of tho smaller
mills under q special agreement with
them. This scheme cropped out at the
second Macon meeting at which some OF
the financially strong tried to prevent an
organization except ION certain condi-
lions" Il quote one of the speaKers.)
Now to conclude. The purpose of the
Georgia Lumber Exchange is TO educate
the less informed, correct abuses In the
trade, raise prices and benefit all who ex-
pect profits from producing lumber. and
we know IL can and will 90 these land more)
for the Small fry as he calls the small
operator, as well as help all legitimate
manufacturers OF lumber, and unless we
are much mistaken, and have put a false
estimate on the small fry" they will rally
to the support of the exchange aud see to it
that it does not prove an utter failure"
w have just mailed out to the mills of
the state an officicial price list, which is a
fair expression Of what is justified by the
markets of the country. and hope and ex-
pect it 10 be maintained by all producers In
terested in better prices for saving. This
will be revised ana increased as occasion
will Justify until better prices are
obtained. In few days the
secretary will start out on a missionary
tour Of the mills and will fully explain our
plans, aims and purposes TO operators.
In justice to the mill men of the state
please publish this letter. giving 1t as much
9, and request all papers which copied that
article to publish this. II. H. TIT,
President Georgia Lumber Exchange.