The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-15
TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS.
TuTpeltinc Operators Are Producing
at a Loss.

al q Loss.
They VIII Consider Total Suspen-
sion Of Operations at Their Annual
Meeting Here Tomorrow Every
Still Expected to Be Represented.
The Factors Think Suspension the
Best Course, in View of the De-
pressed situation-They Think the
Market Would Feel It's Effect at
Once.
There seems to be little doubt but that
the turpentine operators viii suspend
operations until there is a change in the
financial situation such as will assure
them of better prices for their product.
Mr.. B. 7. Daughtry Of Cordele, an
officer in the local operators association
there and delegate to the annual meet
ing Of the operators which is to be held
in this city tomorrow, was in the city
yesterday, and while among the naval
stores factors gave them a great deal Of
information as to affairs among the pro-
ducers in the country, and the effect of
the monetary stringency upon their work
He said, while discussing the situation,
that while the producers as a rule were
in fair condition, prices had fallen so
low that there was no profit whatever in
making the cropat the low figures offered.
The fall in prices is attributable
largely, he SAYS, to the prevailing tinan-
cial stringency, as well as the falling off
in domestic consumption. But as the
latter has been result of the first, hard
times are responsible more than any
thing else for the dullness Of the market.
Mr.. Daughtry said the prices had gone
lower and lower until there was no longer
any use of continuing the production I'M
less there is a change.
WILL PROBABLY SUSPEND.
Mr. Daughtry stated that there had
been serious talk of total suspension
among the operators for some time and
that the question would come up for con-
sideratiOn and action at the meeting to-
morrow.
In view of the stringency in money
matters and the unexpected fall in prices
caused by that stringency the meeting
Will be of unusual interest They seem
to have about come to the conclusion, and
the feeling is very general one, that
there is no use in making their product at
a loss, and if tits seen that they can af-
ford it, the 500 to 800 stills in Southern
Georgia will almost certainly suspend for
a season
About two-thirds of the crop has al
ready been taken from the trees and
what has been taken out would probably
be worked up. 1t will be remem bered
however that this seasons crop is about
30 per cent short of what it was last year
If the operators suspend working the
trees for the rest of the season, however,
1t means reduction of 1914 per cent in
what would have been the years out
put.
While here, Mr.. Daughtry conferred
with the factors and loaded them with
information with regard TO the situation
The factors here are strongly in favor of
the suspension, as everyone in the bust
ness is feeling the effect of low prices.
Mr.. John r. Young thinks they should
by all means suspend, and says that the
effect of such action would be felt almost
Immediately.
MIR. j. p. Williams is of the opinion
that this is the only course for the oper-
ators to pursue in view of the situation,
in order to protect themselves, and he
thinks formal action to this effect win be
taken at the meeting tomorrow He be-
lieves that the market would feel the eff
feet at once and would show it by an ad-
vance.
All the operators in the city yesterday
were of the opinion that a suspension will
be strongly advocated and think that it is
the only thing that can have the desired
effect.
THE MEETING TOMORROW.
There will probably be 100 delegates
ana 300 turpentine operators present at
the meeting here tomorrow. There are
over 500 stills to be represented, and each
sub-assOciation of the general association
is allowed to send one delegate and have
one vote for every five stills the opera
tors of which are mem bers Of it.
In view OF the Importance of the meet
ing, however, there will be present about
twice as many more operators as there
are delegates. The meeting will probably
be held in the Masonic hall. 1t will be
presided over by the president of the as
sociation, Col. +. p Miller, of Walthour-
vile. Mr.. Jno. r. Young is vice-president
and Mr.. A. G. Cassels, of Mcintosh, secre-
tary.
This being the annual meeting, it is gen
eral for the operators to outline some
plan or policy as to the cutting of boxes
during the coming season. But if they
agree to suspend operations, as it seems
they probably will, there will be no neces-
sity of outlining this policy, action on
which would be put off until a later meet
ing, probably about the first of Novem-
Der.
The operators have had great deal of
trouble for some time past to get the
money TO carry on the work of producing
regularly. They have not fallen behind
much. but rather than produce at loss
they think generally that it is best to
suspend and save their timber. The fac
tors, considering the situation, also take
this view Of the case.