The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-02
AGttatf0n VIII E2ect No Permn-
nent Resafs-wAat the Meesing
Of DeaIef. In ChScago Meant.

controversy OF long standing. and one
any one feature connected with the SHIN
gle business Charges and counter charges
regarding scaipers, scale Of prices set by
whoiesalfng have been dragged into the
discussion, but the whole matter SINNERS
Down TO the underweignt as the real point
at issue.
From the manufacturers, standpoint, IL
is argued that when he sells shingles at
a guaranteed weight. say OF leo pounds
per I.a1, and they weigh more. with the
consequence that IL costs more In freight
to deliver them AT given point in the
East. the excess freight over that esti-
mated on the basis Of i6o pounds. called
against Film BY the wholesaler, and hence
If be builds an improved kiln and spends
time in drying the shingles. with the re-
suit that they are lighter than $50 pounds.
and IL costs less to ship them, IL is simple
justice that he should receive the benefit
OF any underweight.
Like all questions. this has two sides.
with arguments for each. The wholesaler
contends that when he buys shingles Of a
guaranteed grade and weight. and pays
an I. o. b. price at the mill. taking all
chances on the transaction. the manu-
facturer's interest in the product has
ceased, excepting to make good his guar
antce. He argues that drying is as much
part of manufacture as saving, and that
the mill man could not possibly sell his
product, unless he did dry and guarantee
a weight. and that In shipping wheat or
any other commodity sold on a guaranteed
weight. IL Is unknown TO have the pur-
chaser receive any benef1t from an under
weight.
Divide the Underweights.
ION account Of this variation in opinion
between wholesaler and mill man, 1t has
been the custom to divide the underweight
equally between them. This has been the
rule with Coast dealers. though 81 num-
Der Of Eastern wholesalers have been in
the habit of eoncedfng all underweight to
the mills. having started 1t in order 10
get the mills TO break off established re-
lations. Notwithstanding this. not less
than 20 per cent OF the mills dealing with
wholesalers have been dividing under
weights, and took ii as a. matter OF course
ard the relations between the two have
been of the most friendly kind On the
face OF IL. IL would seem that all mills
would prefer TO ship to those Eastern
wholesalers who give all underweight but
the majority are ioath TO break off their
regular selling connections with concerts
which have been found TO take the out
put whatever the state of the masiSe-. and
20 practically finance the smaller mills
during the closed season or times of de
preston, while the Eastern man has fire.
quentiy wired not to ship at any price
when the market has been falling
The present agitation WAS precipi.ated
by meeting OF Eastern dealers at ChIca-
go early in April Conditions have been
such that there was no margin in handling
wanted nibbie at the profit represented
by half underweigh.. They determined that
market conditions warranted mill price
of ST. 20 for Star A Star and s1fo for Clears.
and they instructed their representatives
on the Coast To pay these figures with
half underweghts and an advance OF 30
per cent on the bill Of laiing
They also asked the cooperation of the
Coast dealers, who were glad To see a
move designed 10 steady the market come
from such "a source. There was no de-
sign OF 'bnlr or bear movement or
the least suggestion Of arbitrary methods
Of handling shingles to the defriment Of
the mill men. hut II was hoped that some
concerted action would prevent the artffi-
cial quotations made at the mills. artii-
ciai because BASED ON keen competition
instead of market conditions. with the In
variable result of cut price lists in the
East and consequent general demoraiiza
ton. Fluctuations instead of tirm and
steady market have been the order Of the
day for long time in the shingie bust
ness. a'td IL was sincerely desired by all
with the good Of the trade al heart TO
maintain prices equitable 10 all.
Representing the Market Condition
Among the mills the prices set we're
recognized as approximately representing
the market conditions and were accepted as
snch. but there was vigorous protest
from the few mills that had been sn the
habit Of getting ali underwesght in re-
gard K. the terms. This was fos;erod hy
among the mills II TIRE effect that a scalp
ers' trust had been formed 10 beaI them
Gus OF their hard-earued money The cor
dial relations between wholesaler and mil
were charged 10 feeling If son<fraint.
varying 10 downright dissrusl and doubt
III some quarters. Such a state of affairs
between people whose interests are mu-
tUs should be a cause fer regret ana any,
thing tending 10 widen the breach depre-
Gated.
Meetings Of manufacturers were held In
various PAGES and the matter eliminated
~ one in New Whatcam, AZ which a tese-
gram was read from large Eastern con-
Germ. saving the Eastern dealers would r.
esSie from tfesr position about the under
weight THIS was interpreted by the Ynfi
men ss q signal victory. bur as a matter
II fact tire situation regarding under
weight is exactly the same as before This
nuhs4c discussion IL vas either a mis-
take To bring tlae question Up ~ all or IL
was pt,or Judgment 70 vececie from n posi-.
tom al nc ar~t opposition 4 nroaf that
The so-caae3 combine which mas cauqea
- wuca iAlks ~as nf the nature II A
friendly understanding for the good # al,
rather thsF a trust with the Interior M.
tive al SO 8esxIng' the mills is shown hx
tbe fse:t that tisa prices set bv tie meeting
represented The demand ard ths. si;uatlon
sufficiently - rElS ever after there was
NO attempt a concerted ae;ien. g FAR as
she un6.Tsei<hi matter IS ceucergsef. that
IS N the Sa1ne pnsif{an as early ia the
year. rs stated before
'.ln many avars<rs. IL is orenely charged
Ing before the Whatco3n meeting was in
the nature 80 grand stand pfav % curry
FSV9T with The mills ard that tl1.s - ssa
aegint,iap bf r sar between Coast dealers
srd thaSs FROM the East who have re am
h.t8aa - eliminate TIE Western rres ara
&. Absolute central q the trade
TIE argument Is frequently advanced
ttas ig .clg.a BE good FOR al concerned %
g swav with Sssch an uncertain factor in
ssN3lsng - nglFs as the uu7s~vesgAt
sasrgi.s, ard TIA. the whoiesalsng prrsfis
shouts hs represented entirely hy the a.
fsTenes - ire price paid ard received e
= - tass TIRE pn&eFs eight introduces a
ER1ah'tne feature. ss Il varies from nothing
20 ~ par ear. sr8 som Eraes more II ws'5
average esa0t T. PER car
- rg9Fssss.: - sTet ssv sas answer that
iEs sAis cate fATo-y witt not haid god ia
rEArtsc@. fas sYal9ussa wha SAYS he would
rather ctacegsn snassch IN prize - give a
legitimate 1hc ieSziine nszre1n anS retain
sss 10 {eTseishf viii st&srsably ak
Aoser IS snpsh fo~ hts safwxIex as she
Ssiser bss - ray wlll shsi divides unl7s--
~e@gst- 5SeH. as&5a tae huFag STATES fast
eNHsTl@~ce %A1wS wAer TIE Fe~ari "a
rsear Ard sba g7ss1uY8csnrs- IS seeking a.
aFFs- Pc IS the sirss rgse - throw the usssffr~
RwtsAt overheard sra a~sr MS rsrs 81 m.
eHlt basis IS as iRaWcazzer<
The Proposed New pianS