The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-02

the little structure was . mass OF flames.
The inquest will not be concluded until
tomorrow.
STRONGER THAN EVER.
After . Stormy Meeting. shinglemen's
Association Closes Ranks.
TACOMA. March 1-[Special.]- mo split
in the shingle association occurred today.
Although it was stormy meeting. the end
came with plenty of sunshine and pledges
of mutual support between jobbers and
dealers. Skaglt county was the aggressor,
and while it wa. sat down on in the begin
ming. its demands were ultimately recog-
adopted:
Washington state meeting, to be hold March !,
be and are hereby instructed to have that body
pass resolution providing for an Eastern whole
sale dealers commission of 10 cents per thousand
in twenty-five car orders for the same date OF
shipment and that the commission dealers be-
longing to the state association be allowed 10
cents per 1000 on any order. and that COM
mission men belonging to the state association
should pay their proportion of the expenses OF
conducting the business Of the association.
The only change from the resolution as
already published in the Posr-INTELLIaEN EN-
GER is that twenty-five was substituted for
ten car loads.
There were 125 members, represented by
about ITO delegates, ia being manufac-
turers and eleven dealers. and it was one
ever held. Such large attendance at
a special meeting is significant. 1t
is conclusive evidence of the fact
81 ~k Ill 10
ance of adjusting differences among local
and Eastern jobbers and the manufacture
ers. The special meeting was primarily
the result of certain cuts in rates, and
when this was discovered it was stated by
some of the jobbers that if that sort of
thing did not cease the association would
split.
The roll was called and each member In
turn asked whether he had made any con-
tracts at prices below the association
price, and it was found that surprisingly
small number had made such contracts.
Then investigation developed the fact that
exaggeration of few cases Of price cutting
had caused the panickv feeling which
prevailed before the meeting. and that the
trade was in q better condition than had
been expected. Owing to the bad
weather in the East the season was
a month late in opening, and
few small manufacturers who wanted
to realize in an unprepared market
were responsible for the cutting. One
dealer was expelled for cutting prices, and
the panicky feeling with which the meet
ing had opened was followed by q strong
feeling in favor of maintaining the rates.
The season is now opening well, Or
ders are coming in literally, and
the Eastern dealers only want
q fixed price on which they can depend.
The feeling in favor of maintaining prices
was strengthened by the fact that several
firms, which have hitherto held aloof,
joined the association.
When Skagit county made its demands
to allow Eastern jobbers local commits
sion, the jobbers objected. Then followed
a wrangle in which the jobbers got the
worst of it. They threatened to resign,
and their designations were ready to be &C
cepted by the manufacturers. This
created something of sensa-
ton. After dinner, however, mat
tiers were patched up. the Skagit reso-
lutions being adopted in substance. and,
in fact, as far as allowing Eastern jobbers
10 cents per 1000 commission is con-
cerned. This was qualified only by re-
quiring the Eastern jobber to buy in
twenty-five car load lots or over, before
giving them this commission.
With this inducement several large
Eastern jobbers will establish offices on
Puget sound and enter extensively into
the handling of Washington cedar
shingles. The association is now
stronger than ever before and also
more harmonious. 1t was found necessary
to have joint committee of jobbers and
manufacturers to arrange all the details.
This plan was discussed before the clouds
cleared away, but when all agreed on the
Skagit resolution the need OF such
committee was wiped out. If
the Eastern jobbers had not been
allowed a commission, they were pre-
pared, it is said, to enter this field and be-
come active competitors with the local
jooDers, and would no doubt have worked
mischief in the association between lob
bers and man ufacturers.
1t was announced that some of the lead
ing Chicago architects were now calling
for cedar shingles in their specifications.
During the discussion by the manufact-
urers of the ACCESSIBILITY Of organizing a
manufacturers association, the dealers
were requested to withdraw. 1t was de-
cided that it was we'll for the joint organi-
cation of jobbers and manufacturers to
stand. In summing up the significance OF
the entire meeting manufacturer saws:
" hi!e no vote was taken on the proposition to
separate the manufacturers from the jobbers.
enough was said and done to fully convince all
concerned that the manufacturers have full
command OF the situation. They. however.
reaiz, that it is Tor the best interest
OF the association and for the beat
interest of the entire shingle manufacturing
district Of the Northwest for the dealers and
manufacturers to work harmoniousiy. Ii was
impressed upon the local dealers tha. they
are not numerous enough to handle this
years enormous output. Al the same time
the manufacturers did not desire 10
arrange matters SO that the dealers would be
virtually thrown out of the association The
manu- acturer hereafter will exercise the option
OF selling TO dealers or disposng of
his shingles direct. Old established
mills viii, in many cases. sell their
own goods, while new mills will
rely on dealers b. letting la the as,ern deal.
ers The temptation 10 cut prices, which has been
threatening to kill the association for several
months, Is virtually done away with. while a.
the same time our business viii lie - nuIa;et
Both lobbers and manufacturers are rejoicing a,
the very satisfactory outcome OF the meeting.