The San Francisco call., 1895-12-24
WANT BETTER PRICES,
Lumber Men Complain of
the Exceptionally Low
Rates.
WAGES ARE ALSO LESS.
What One Merchant Thinks of
the Depression All Over
the Coast.
BLAMEs THE ADMINISTRATION.
The Elevation of Prices Will Be
Gradual When 1t Comes and Need
Cause No Worry.

Considerable excitement was caused
among builders yesterday by the rumor
that both the pine and the redwood lum-
ber merchants were about to raise the
rates from 81 to $3 a thousand feet, and
that secret meeting had been held in an
Office in this City for the purpose of estab-
fishing a uniform schedule.
This sudden turn of affairs in an indus
try that is carried on extensively in this
State and also in Oregon and Washington
created no little comment, and contractors
scurried around in very lively manner
getting the loose ends OF the rumors to-
gether for the purpose of finding out how
things stood.
A close investigation of the report was
made by representative of THE CALL, and
while nothing of serious import was dis
covered the cause of low prices in lumoer
to-day was brought to light.
Several representatives of lumber COM
panies talked at length regarding the sup
position that lumber was to bring better
price, but one and all admitted that moth
ing had been done toward the esta blish-
ment of prices other than the work ac-
complished by the companies in the last
six months, which in substance is an
embryo plan to pool the different firms
and elevate prices all along the coast.
Mr.. Grey OF the firm of Grey & Mitchell,
lumber merchants, went deeply into the
question and among other things said:
We have been trying to get better prices for
lumber for good many months and as yet
have not succeeded. The rumor that ate
had been set to-day is without foundation.
Some of the presidents of the redwood COM
panies had q meeting at which prices were
discussed but beyond that nothing was done.
The lumber business on this coast is not in a
very flourishing condition. ] do not mean by
that that the lumber is giving out or that the
quality is not so good, but the market is so low
that we cannot pay wages as OF old. During
the Republican administration the employees
of the lumber companies received on an aver
age $50 per month, but to-day those same men
are compelled to work for 500 We cannot
sell redwood lumber at decrease of 81 a
thousand feet and pay good wages.
"What do you attribute the low rates
tor" was asked. SIS the demand not as
great to-day as it was during the Republi-
can administration? ?"
1t is not so much a question of demand in
the lumber business as it is the general stag
nation all over the country. Every branch OF
business has suffered through the policy OF
Mr.. Cleveland, and the depressed financial
cond ton everybody experienced made it
necessary for all the companies to come down
or not sell any lu1NDer. cOulQ not Duy
at the old rate and we met their incomes.
This state Of affairs afflicted everybody, and
every industry, every occupation met the dis
tresses that followed the stagnation.
Lumber has never been so low as it is now.
Our employees have suffered with us, and,
until the prices elevated it will con-
tinue to be SO. We hold if the rates
are made better we can pay better wages,
and the old custom OF good salaries
will once more come into vogue. There is no
trust about it as has been said by some people,
but merely a re-establishment of decent
wages and proportionate improvement in
the business.
The raise in prices will not be sudden, but
will come with the restoration of confidence in
all occupations. 1t viii necessarily be gradual,
and will not cause CONSERVATION of any kind.
When times get better and the Republican ad-
ministration gets control of the machinery of
Government prices will go mp all over the
Union, and with it the price OF lumber. The
question of demand is simple enough. If peo-
pie have money there will be a better demand,
and there will i'll consequence be more lumber
sold. If the country is depressed and the popu-
lation is without funds they cannot afford to
buy what they very frequently desire. 1t is
true that the lumber men want to get more for
their product, but we realize that such results
cannot be brought about until the whole
country is improved. The lumber business is
but one sample of bow easily Mr.. Cleveland
and the policy OF the Democracy can injure
industries.