The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-15
a NAVAL STORES SUGGESTION.
IL Is That no Boxes Be Cut the Com
ing Winter.


VIM. Fla. Aug. l2-E1itOr Morning
News: The naval stores producers are
az this time facing a great crisis in their
business A condition has gradually come
about which now threatens the 100 pro
ducers in the turpentine belt with the
extinction OF the 10000 land upwards)
invested in the Industry. A convention
OF producers has been called TO meet in
Savannah on Aug. Is TO consider the situ-
alton, and 10 agree upon measures for
| the relief Of the business. 1 approve OF
! this move, and will attend the conven-
ton Bearing In mind. however, the eN-
perience OF other conventions In time
past, and the fate Of other movements
Tor the relief to naval stores operators
I my views.
First. we will not discuss the cause
/ which has brought about the present Sc
rlous conditions, or waste words over
I the sOurce-prODable or actua4-OL All our
| woes at this time. Suffice it 10 say tur-
pentine and rosin are not commanding
prices sufficient to cover the average
cost Of production. Therefore the great
majority OF producers are actually run
ming at loss. 1t is also true that TINS
Is the first time in the history OF the
industry that such a state Of things has
/ occurred. Even when in the sixties the
rosin was turned Off and not barreled,
there was money in the business, for the
spirits paid all expenses and good proht
besides. Now, both rOslu ana spirits are
not sufficient to pay expenses and show
up profit On the contrary. in most
! cases a deficit. We all remember the
| sapient remark of Col. Fred Grant several
| years ago; 1t is much easier to handie
| a surplus than a deficit" 90, without
/ discussing the various theories as to the
| present critical condition which has over
taken the business-Whether II Is over
! production or whether It is simply under
| consumption of our product-caused by
dull trade conditions: whether IT is the
| result of the financial agitation and the
! business uncertainty, we will agree that
the wolf is at the door OF the naval
| stores industry, that a condition, not
a theory, confronts us, and let US look
| for remedy, and the sooner we can
apply It the better.
Secondly-The coming convention win
| have several propositions put before II,
some with merit and some without merit
and no doubt a great deal OF turpentine
| oratOry will be heard in support or denun-
! citation of the various plans for relief.
| Let us hope that this convention will not
| bring upon itself a criticism like that be-
slowed by Mr.. J. W. Hunt in 1887 upon
| the Naval Stores Manufacturers Protec-
| tive AssOcia ton when he declared that II
| was nothing more than a debating so
| ciety." / suggest that as little time as
possible be wasted in speeches and irrela-
| want discussions at the meeting Aug. Is,
| but that the operators and factors get
| right down to business, agree upon a SEN
sible business-like plan. and then arrange
| for its effective operation.
| Thirdly-The cooperation Of every
| naval stores factor-not only in Savannah
| but elSeWhere-iS absolutely necessary in
| carrying out the plan OF relief. The non
| cooperation Of a single respectable fac
forage firm win break up the present
| movement. We all know that there has
| been pulling back and holding off and
| kicking OUT by certain factors in time
| past, and 1t is predicted there will be the
/ same tactics employed now. think, how
hot tH1
| these gentlemen has probably not chang
| ed at all, the circums tances which con-
| fronts them lin common with their Gus
| tomers) are so very serious that they viii
not throw any obstacle in the way OF
| whatever plan is finally agreed upon. 1t
Is suggested that a bond of $4,000 be re-
quired from every factor and one of 81, 900
from every producer in the business. This
bond to be conditioned upon the faithful
observance and carrying out of the con-
ditions agreed upon and forfeitable upon
a violation of same. and the amount di-
vidable among the membership of the new
association. This will enforce strict OBJ
servance of the plan of relief agreed upon,
ana nothing else but bond will secure it.
As over four-hfths OF the operators are
either under mortgage to the factors or
heavily indebted to them, the factors hold
the key to the situation. The producer
must defer to the dictum of his factor
The factors, realizing the hopelessness of
collecting the 81 900. 900 or S3. 600 900 they
now have out in the turpentine belt I'M
less the deadly fan in prices is arrested,
| Will no doubt exhibit commendable cele-
rity and praiseworthy zeal in co-operat-
ing IN the carrying out of the proposed
plan of relief
Fourthly, Finally as to the plan itself.
IT Is not my wish to offer any set plan at
| this time, though l have my own ideas
of what would be best The majority of
good operators-from what 1 can hear
are squarely in favor of shutting off box
| cutting entirely the coming winter: not
sticking an AK in a tree Some are "propos-
ing a reduction of the cut say 1874 to Is
per cent. or the amount cut last winter.
me FACTORS seem to be divided on that
point. 1t Is certain, however, that it will
be almost impossible to carry out an eff
1ecuVe reduction under any per cent"
| agreement. suppose a % per cent, arrange
ment is agreed upon. IA cut twelve crops
last year and would be entitled to cut
only three crops this winter. But for reas-
ons best known to himself-and such reas-
ohlng mas been fatally common among
| operators in previous year-"A" decides
to'cut SIX or eight crops; three crops Che
reasons would not be enough, in view
or the big advance in fine rosin next year.
| resulting from the new movement of the
operators. How would the association be
aDle TO catch up with this Judging -
Whlch would be pretty general venture
70 say. 10 agree upon no cutting of boxes
at an would be a radical remedy but it
would be an effective one. Desperate dis
eases require heroic treatment. 1T would
De easy enough then to detect and convict
an operator of violation of his agreement
and forfeit bond. Very few places would
nave TO shut down on account Of not cut
ting any new boxes, not over 5 per cent
II tnat The knowledge in the comm erciai
world that such action had been taken bv
| the producers of naval stores would send
spirits up ten cents per gallon and rosin
(all grades) 81 per barrel, no matter who
is elected President this fall, or whether
we are 10 continue on a gold basis or have
| free and unlimited coinage of silver. Such
a consummaton is devoutly to be wished
S. L. Varnedoe