The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-28
Heavy Capitalization and Some
Sixty Mills Interested in
the Scheme.
SAN FRANCISCO HEADQUARTERS
Central Office to Be Located Here
to Control, the Buying and
Selling.

VANCOUVER, B. c., Nov. 27.-Every
mill in British Columbia will join the big
Pacific Coast lumber trust, which is about
to materialize after a years arduous toll.
ID. H. Bib and E. J. Holt of San Fran
cisco, president and secretary of the big
combine, have been in Vancouver for some
time.
Their mission was successful. They in
duced every lumber manufacturer to join
them. They would not talk, but in
directly 1T was ascertained that they esti-
mate that the capital involved Will be over
$40, 100000 and will include fifty or sixty
mills (every one on the coasD and all the
retailers. The details of the scheme, while
very elaborate, are perfected to such an
extent that there is no possible chance OF a
disagreement.
The idea that the scheme is to be con-
summated has acted like hypnotic sug-
gestion en- the lumber trade here, and the
pulse of the timber trade, which was weak
and thready, has grown stronger, while
hopeful spirit prevails.
1t being apparent that there was no
money in lumber on the coast, that i'm
mense capital was being worked to no ad-
vantage, and that the cause of this was I'M
reasonable competition, a cure was looked
for IN better prices for lumber, but it was
seen that an increase in the demand did
not bring better prices, and the one rem
edy was to get all the mill-owners to agree
to sell only at an advance.
Men of great executive ability were ap-
preached with the idea of arranging a
scheme by which all the mill-owners and
retailers on the coast could form them
selves into cooperative society for their
mutual benefit. The problem was pro-
nounced impracticable by several of those
who attempted to solve it, but scheme
has been finally suggested that satisfies the
promoters that the idea is not only feas-
ible, but that once the intricate machinery
is set in motion it will move easily and
with dispatch.
The combine will be known as the Gen.
trail Lumber Company, with headquarters
at San Francisco, and every stick of tim
Der shipped will be by order of the central
Office The capacity of every mill on the
Pacific Coast has been obtained, and ac-
cording to that capacity they will receive
so much stock.
Each mill is to supply lumber at the will
of the central office at price agreed upon
with all mills at cost, shipping direct.
Three times each month dividend will
be declared, according to the stock held by
each company, and this dividend will be
paid even if the mill receiving it has not
been ordered to ship a stick of timber.
The supply and demand will be nicely adj
justed through the central office.
Should retailer start up outside the
combine. he has no place to buy his lIm-
ber Should a wholesaler start up out
side the combine, he has no place on the
coast he can sell his lumber.
The trans-Pacific and Eastern trade will
not be considered this year, but it is
thought that Chile and Australia, when
they see that they are not getting the con-
sideration and attention that they did be-
fore the establishment of the Pacific Coast
combine, they will be willing to pay for
more consideration at the hands of the
mlll-owners.
The mills here are being crowded with
offers by importers anxious to lay in big
supply of lumber before the prices climb