The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-05-10
Manufacturers Decide to Re-
store Old Prices.
DEALERS TO ORGANIZE ALSO.
Separate Associations to BE Formed
Bankers May Aid In Maintain
ing Prices-No Trust.

1OOSC AOku tuc ucdieES anu lOlul ali 6SSo>
citation of their own. The meeting yester-
day was the outcome of a conference of
the manufacturers of Whatcom and Skagit
counties held at Whatcom about ten days
ago, and another conference few days
later with the manufacturers Of Seattle
and Ballard. There were about sixty mill
men representing about 100 mills present
at the meeting. H. Il. Duniway, of
Portland, secretary of the Shingle Manu-
facturers and Dealers Association. was
made chairman and Theo Cushing, of Ia
coma, secretary.
T. r. Fleming, one of those who partici-
pated in the conference here a week ago,
stated that the object of the meeting was
to consider the absurd condition of the
Eastern market, which had been flooded
with lower quotations than the shingles
could be bought for here, and to take some
action in regard to it, and also to consider
the advisability of the manufacturers
forming a separate association.
The condition of the market and the
causes for it were then discussed at consid-
cradle length. One speaker found fault
with the way members of the association
discussed matters at the meetings. They
were always discussing break in prices,
and by their exaggerations made the mar
ket seem worse than it was. Many times
prices had been firmer before a meeting of
the association than after it had adjourned.
and 1t seemed that the only result of the
meeting had been to engender distrust
among the members.
1t was stated that the chief difficulty is
that the Eastern dealers are mlsinformed
as to the prices here. 1t was recommended
that the Associated Press be requested to
telegraph the intention of the manufac-
turers to restore prices next Tuesday.
1t seems that a large number of orders
are being withheld, owing to the many
quoted prices lower than they could buy
manufacturers in declaring their intention
to restore prices will have wholesome
influence upon the market.
1t was the sense of the meeting that
there should be no conflict between the
dealers and manufacturers. So many
manufacturers depend upon the dealers
securing their orders that it is essential
that the dealers should work in harmony
with the association Of manufacturers.
One manufacturer proposed that the
dealers be invited to form an association
OF their own and agree to stand by certain
described relations with the manufacture
ers. The dealers, in the way the business
is at present being run, are doing business
at no profit. and it is highly essential that
they should harmonic their own differ
ences.
The following resolution was then
adopted unanimously.
Resolved, That it is the sense OF this meeting
that We proceed to the consideration of plan
to be adopted at the next meeting of the state
association on the 10th inst to establish q sepa-
ratio Manufacturers Association, and that the
dealers be invited to form an auxiliary associa-
ton of their own.
An elaborate scheme was then proposed
by the delegates representing the SkagIt
and ,Whatcom county mills. 1t was to
form what would be called single clear
ing house, to be composed of manufacture
ers and bankers. 1t required that every
manufacturer put up forfeit of $3.50 per
block capacity of his mill, which he would
lose in case of breach of the regulations
to be adopted. The construction of ware
houses at every mill was contem-
plated. IN which the manufacturer
could store his surplus product and re-
ceive certificate from the clearing house
inspector or inspectors, whose duties would
be to visit the mills, to see that they were
properly constructed and insured, and
that the product was properly stored. The
certificates would state the quantity,
grades, weights, etc. With these certifi-
Gates the manufacturer could obtain 60 to
% per cent. of the market selling price of
the product at the banks. The dealer
could sell from the warehouse if he wants
to, or the clearing house could do so. in
the latter case the shingles to
be sold in regular turn accord
ing TO their date of entry into
the warehouse. The regulations pro-
vided for the mills shutting down during
the winter if deemed advisable. A trans
portation committee was provided for.
which should be composed of bankers. as
well as manufacturers, and whose duty
should be to confer with the RAILWAYS and
obtain shipping facilities.
The matter was discussed at great
length, and although it embodied many
features OF trust, it was generally favored
by the little mills, while il was opposed
by all the large mills, who are usually SUBJ
posed to be the ones anxious TO control
such organ izations.
The question vas voted on aud carried
bnt as there was such strong opposition
10 II the proposal was practically rejected
because any such measure, in order 10 be
at all effective, would have required an
almost unanimous support.
Part OF the project was 10 appoint a
committee 10 solicit the bankers 10 go into
the scheme, but il was impossible To get
men 10 serve on the committee Flnaiv
II was suggested that the committee be in
structed II confer with the bankers in the
principal financial centers with n view of
enlistlng their cooperation IN the rnainte-
nance OF prices. rather than to propose to
them the original scheme This was
adopted. and I. Il. fleming OF Seattle.
u. II. Pritchard. OF Tacoma: g. f. Brand,
OF Whatcom. and J. H. Day. Of Skasit.
were appointed a the committee.
After the meeting had adjourned the
committee met one of the leading bankers
OF TINS city. He stated that he realized
the Importance of the shingle industry to
Puget sound. and that he would gladly
call meeting of the Seattle bankers TO
meet the bankers of Tacoma. Whatcom.
AnacOrtes and other cities next Friday al
80 IN this city. He said he had no doubt
but that some action could be taken u
nave greater unan!mity as to prices
prevail IN the ASSOCIATION. 1t as his Idea
that those manufacturers and dealers VINO
cut prices should have no assistance from
the banks He realized that there was
absolutely no need OF the present demon