The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-06
FAVORS THE COMBINE.
Would CurtaiI the Power of the
Buyers. Says MIR. j. T.. williams.

W Ould Curtafl the Power OF the
buyers, Says Mr.. j. r. Williams.
The proposed naval stores combine is
regarded from different standpoints by the
different interests engaged in the indus
try. The buyers are not included in the
combination which it is proposed to form.
In fact, it is pretty plainly stated that
the purpose of the combination is TO weak
en- the hold of the buyers upon the market
and TO place the control of prices in the
hands of those who receive the product
from the producers
Mr.. ]. P. Williams is one of the large
factors who regards the proposed combine
favorably. The trouble with the mar
ket," he said yesterday, lis that there
is not sufficient competition among the
buyers and the result is that they are
able to sway the market at their will.
While prices at present are satisfactory,
they are due to well-known circumstances
affecting this years crop. While the
worlds consumption of naval stores has
largely increased and is fully equal to the
supply should there be return to the
normal supply during the coming year, the
buyers would at once take advantage of
the fact to reduce prices. While a com
bination of the factors, backed by the pro
ducers, cannot increase competition among
the buyers, it will place the control of
the product where prices can be dictated
by those who represent the producer, and
thus insure him a fair return for his la
Dor There would be no injustice in this
to the consumer, who a present obtains
large part of the product at prices which
barely equal the cost of production"
With the changing conditions which
confront us, said Mr.. Williams sit is
more necessary than ever that steps
/ should be taken to maintain the pre-emi-
nence of Savannah as a competitive mar
ket. Though some of those who are large
ly engaged as buyers here are also largely
interested both as buyers and factors at
other ports. which are now threatening to
take portion of the business from Sa-
vannah. In order to establish themselves
in business, the houses which have recent
ly begun business in Mobile, Tampa and
Pensacola, have been forced to sell large
contracts in advance predicated upon Sa-
Vannah prices. 1t is easy to see how it
would be to the advantage of the buyers
here, to manipulate the prices in the Sa-
Vannah market, in order that they may
obtain profit upon their contracts at
other ports. A combination, such as has
been suggested, would put it out of the
power of the buyers to manipulate the
market as they have done in the past, and
to take to themselves profits which should
inure to the producer"
Mr.. Williams said that he did not be-
lieve the combine would be prejudicial to
SaYannahs interests. While some en-
ployes would be dispensed with, Savannah
would be continued as the leading naval
stores market. Many items of loss would
be done away with, improved methods of
handling, including tank cars for spirits of
turpentine, with lower freight rates, would
insure the bulk of the business to Savan-
nah and benefit the trade of the oity.
The buyers understand very wen thar
this movement is directed against them
to some extent but say that they have no
fear of the results. In fact, they think
that the publicity which has been given
the movement will prevent its fruition.
All of the factors are not favorable to
the movement and those who remained
outside the combination would be favored
by the buyers. well known buyer In
speaking of the matter, said that if nee
essary the buyers would go into the field
and buy direct from the producers. thus
eliminating the middle men through whom
the business is now transacted. The fact
of the combination at Savannah, he said
would tend to drive business 10 other ports
where the factors and the buyers would
be on better terms.