The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-16

This morning, or as soon thereafter as
the order can reach them, the single
mills of the state will cease operations
until June L. This action is the result
of a vote taken on the resolution passed
by the executive committee of the WASH
ington Red Cedar Single Manufactur-
ers' Association at a meeting held in
this city. a week ago. 1t was nearly mid
night before the executive committee,
which met yesterday in the Bailey build
ing completed its work. Then 1t was
found that more than the requisite 30
per cent. of the single production had
voted to carry out the agreement.
Another significant feature of the vote
is that 60 per cent. of the mixed car
mills have signed and voted for the
agreement, whereas so per cent. is all
that was asked by the association. To-
day Victor II. Beckman, secretary of
the single association, will send out
notices in accordance with the result of
the count to 256 single mills and ten
mixed car mills.
The mills began operation in January.
it is stated, with little or no surplus
stock on hand and a good market demand
in the East. During the eight weeks
close down the capacity of many of the
plants had been increased and the out
look was that the Coast would be un-
able to supply the demand in the vari-
Gus markets of the East. Then came
labor troubles in the East followed by
a series of cold snaps and an increase
in the price of almost every article of
building material. The resuh waS
cessation of building operations. The
Coast mills continued producing until the
Eastern markets were overcrowded and
there was no demand from the retail
trade
About April the single association de-
cided to close the mills for a week hop
ing nv that tippa conditions In no Lra or
would change. The mills agreed and
shut down for that period followed. On
resuming, however, it was found that
there was no Improvement, and three
weeks ago another attempt was made to
close down.
per cent. of the small mills signed the
agreement, but the large producers of
Ballard, Tacoma and the Bellngham bay
district refused to come in. without
these nothing could be done and the
association was forced to withdraw its
price list and allow shingles to bring
what they might in open market Since
that time there has been no increased
demand for the product. and the pre-
vailing price has been Is cents less the
list on all grades.
During this period of falling prices no
attempt at united action was made until
last week, when the executive commit.
tee held a meeting and passed the reso-
luton on which the vote has just been
taken and counted. The mixed car mills
agreed to curtail their product so per
cent at the meeting, but the vote last
night showed they had done much bet
ter than promised.
At the present time there is no price list
for red cedar shingles. When the mills
resume operations June the old asso-
citation price list will again come In force.
Stars at the mill will sell for sl.S5 per
thousand, to the Eastern trade at 81 As,
Clears at the mill si.55 per thousand and
to the Eastern trade sl.65. Perfection
1S-inch will bring 80 cents higher than
clears, and Eurekas Is cents higher than
clears.
During the shutdown over 5000 men
will be laid off.