The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-04-29
WESTERN SHINGLES IlsI.
nLIy0IS MKH UNITE 70 NAIATAI1
4 STABLE MARKET.


ton were taken two weeks aga. and the
association has since been Incorporated
under the laws OF nlsnoss with capital
OF son The movement was started by
the Eastern car lead dealers. who have
been doing business without profit and
often AZ 4 loss for several raonsns- They
have become extremely dissatisfied with
such = condition. and realize that their
only hope OF improving matters - through
organization. The new association In not
however. In any way Antagonistic 10 the
Interests Of the shsngle mills on the coast
The ear load dealers simply desire TO
establish = stable market and MAINTAIN
prices on basis that will leave them .
safe margin IN handling the products OF
the shingie mills. The cooperation Of the
mill men has been invited, and from in
formation that comes from the Coast II
70 evident that number OF the leading
mill men there strongly favor the move
menI. The only objection that has been
urged. 10 far ~ the Lumbsrman in aware.
In against the position originally taken BY
the association In asking a division OF the
underweighss. This objection no longer
exists. however. for al the meeting We'd
nesday the association voted hereafter to
G1se the mills all the underwetxhis. the
members agreeing that IL would be much
better to depend for their profit on the
difference between the buying price at
the mill and the selling price In the East.
Without ans haphaSard specializing on
underwcights
Pssstssn II Aggravatsng.
The position on the Coast has been par
ttculAriy aEgravzsink 10 buyers OF late.
IL has practically amounted to shingles
being put up At auction and sold to the
highest bidder Sometimes IL Is stated
the shsngies have been sold two or three
times. and the buyers have thus been
forcing the prices upward until they
iux..t ~S~A 49, ~
Z handing price out Of them was extreme
~ lucky This has. Of course. resulted in
the mill men getting better prices tempo
rar!is. but the market has been very I'M
stable and With no promise OF perma-
nency. High prices at the mills also bring
with them a multitude Of troubles to the
manufacturer. The log man II certain to
advance hts prices. and labor troubles
generally result unies. wages are mate
rally advanced. and the manufacturer
finds that II Is much easier matter To-
advance wages and prices for logs than
II In 10 reduce them when slump In the
market comes. The result In profitable
business 10 the mill man for perhaps two
or three months, ard for the balance 81
the year he does business 81 no pro!is, II
not al an actual loss. This II a condition
that the new association Is seeking to
change and there II no doubt but what
the change can be brought about IL the
mill men VIII cooperate. The car load
leaders are willing to pay high prices
at the mills as are JUSTIFIED by conditions
in the East. hut they do want 10 see a
margin for profit In a business where they
buy commodity without ever seeing II.
advance from - to lu9 per cent. OF the
cost on receipts OF bin OF iading. assume
the commercial risk and take the shippers
inspection,
While the plans OF the association are
not as yet fully matured. II In the inten !.
ton 10 establish an cfYice on the Coast
through which Information shall be gath
cred in regard 10 the output OF the mills
and an endSayor made TO regulate the pro-
dueiioE OF shingles In accordance with
the demand, In ,A.s way Il is believed that
all the mills can he taken care OF and =
uniform price maintained throughout the
season which viii give them . good mar
gin Of profit. The association az now con-
s eth , smsrases msmhsrship represent
handled In the carload trade and none OF
the members can la any sense be CHASED
an q scaiper.
Concerns ef financial staaaing.
There are comparatively few mills on
the Coast that are In condition TO handle
the shingle trade direct TO the Eastern re-
taisrs, the bulk OF them being compelled
TO sell their shingles on the open market
at the mill Far that reason the co-cpera-
ton 20 be afforded by this new associa-
ton offers special Inducements. The mem
hers OF the association are all concerns
Of high financial standing and good rep
utation, each ore being thoroughly equip
ped with the capital and machinery neces-
10y 10 nhHGtF INV SesIfEk t31 tt lie SUS-
mess. The salvation OF the Washington
RID cedar shinxlc business depends large
ly upon the interesting OF capital a. the
selling end. and this is wha. the asaoc.a-
ton. through il members IL prepared 70
furnish Several o. the largest carload
handlers on The Coast are also ksertifed
with the organization and the cooperation
OF the st!nEie manufacturers. which IL al
snoss certain to be given wher the purpose
Of the association is fully understood. Is
all that Is needed 10 insure complete sue
cess,
At present I; Is rot the intention as the
i.urgaersnan understands IL. that any
change srsn he made in the buying ar
engagements which The different members
now have established ou; on the Coast
different mills VIII continue To do -. and
.hasss who have Offices the Coast will
maintain them. a. least for tie present Ar
rangemcnfs viii rroha hfS be corr piesedi for
handing rush orders ana surplus shingles
through the association. but in no sense IL
II ire intention 20 bear prices al the
mills ar bull them In tho Eass.
Anesher matter which the association will
undoubtedly take up In sse nsar fusurs Is
TIRE uniform manufacture and grading OF
Coast shingles A. present ,ne:e s. no es-
sahsfshea grade fssr red esaars ard there
has Seeu considerable complaint In fbs past
This feature he association vii. srss.avnr
+, correct ard as means - thar en-. u "a
likely az inspection bureau VIII se estah-
nshsa In the East for the PURPOSE % hand
ing and settling disputed claims fer al
laHanc#x 81 eae part Of buyers.
Consult gsfssrares NsYvf~ thirteen