The San Francisco call., 1898-06-16
Many Would Like to Sell, but Hold Back.
THE MARKET IS DEM0RALIZED
EFFORTS BEING MADE TO UP
 HOLD THE TARIFF.
Jobbers Trying to Prevent Firms From Following the B. K. Wood Company's
 Example.

Strenuous efforts are being put forth by the men who compose the Retail Lumber Dealers Association to induce the D. K. Wood Company and two or three other firms to return to the fold and uphold the price of lumber. AS was stated exclusively in The Call week ago the E. K. Wood Company broke away from a prearranged agreement of the combine by placing a bid before the Board of State Harbor Commissioners agreeing to furnish lumber at s11.50 per thousand feet instead of the agreed rate of $14.5O, virtually demoralizing the lum- Der market.
 Since the firms action was made pub lie meetings have been frequently held by the association with a view to bring ing the deserting firm in line again. Com mittees have been appointed to visit the members of the E. K. Wood Company for the purpose of pointing out to them the error of their ways, but have al- ways reported back lack of success. Other members have gone to other firms to induce them to join the association and thus add greater strength by their cooperation.
 While there are signs of harmony among the lumber men who compose the association, yet it is thought that others will follow the example of the Wood company and bid for the plum held out TOT them Dy the f1dTDOT 1OIIIIllSSlOI6ES For this reason the jobbers are working hard to hold such dealers that appear shaky within bounds. Their task may prove hard one, owing to the present condition of the market, mainly caused by the dry season experienced in the State. Throughout the San Joaquin Val ley yards have been closed for the time being, as farmers have not realized money enough to make extensive inn provements. This has caused such firms as Simpson & Go. and the Pacific Pine Lumber Company to curtail their output by running their mills either on hall time or stopping them entirely.
 As was stated by a prominent lumber man yesterday, "the market has become glutted and such firms that have large quantities of the commodity on hand are willing to dispose at a less figure. This is bound to happen once in great while and has a demoralizing effect on the mar at $7 50. which is a little below cost, but it gradually raised until s14 50 was reached" The association held to this price for quite while, until the Hum boldt Lumber and Milling Company ere ated stampede by offering to supply the School Department at price much lower than the understood tariff and which was followed by the E. K. Wood Company re- ducing their price to the Harbor Commis- sioners to low figure.
 Although trade has been falling off dur ing the last three months nearly 9 per cent, yet every effort will be made by the big dealers to prevent others in following the example of the above mentioned firms. It is believed, however, that the tempta- ton to dispose of material to the Harbor Commissioners during the next six months at less than the F. K. Wood Company bid is too great, as the profit to be gained by doing so will be worth the trying. It is therefore predicted that fifteen min utes before the bids are opened on the Fist of this month other firms will break away as did the E. K. Wood Company.
 As to the latter company they say: we furnished the Commissioners for a long time at SS, and I guess we can stand 1T at S11 50 0n