The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-29

month later than usual. on account OF the
late winter. and the strikes tied up MIL
lions of dollars worth of property that
was being built on in Chicago and other
cities, and the caution in building for rear
of changes because of the presidential
election cut off market for some shin
giles that would otherwise have been OPEN
The sum total of adverse influences was
empowering and shingles went down
and stayed down and the indntry run at
a loss or else at cost during the season
and more than one dealer and mill went
to the wall. One Of the largest and most
enterprising of Washington's dealers in
this city was financially ruined by having
hundreds of cars on his hands at the
eastern depots that hef could not handle
in such a demoralized market.
This year there are but few shingles in
transit and millmen and dealers are
more wary of this method of selling than
In the past. Many millmen absolutely re-
fuse. after the experience of the past. to
send out shingles unless they have a con-
tract for them before starting. They see
so clearly that they run personal risks
and that the market has been overthrown
and ruined for the season so many times
in the past, by this reckless method that
they will not take the risk. The proba-
pilities are that very few cars Will be
shipped under that system this year.
There are no strikes now in sight or cleo
ton clouds on the horizon, the eastern
yards are not overstocked and If the sea-
son opens up at the usual time the pros
poets are very bright for trade In shin
giles at a remunerative figure for all con-
cerned, all summer.
II the prices are good no doubt the out
put of the mills this year will be greater
than last year for with prices at cost
the mills run short time. The product
of the state will probably reach nearly
25,000 cars, with fair price In 1890 there
We're only 2,l00 cars shipped from the
state, in 1899 there were 2s,2ls cars sent
out This year there were 25e single
mills in operation in the state and they
are better equipped and capable Of put
ting out greater and better finished and
packed product than ever before. In fact.
many of the dealers make a speciality of
putting out finished article that they
label and sell on its merits as supe-
riority.
Association n Failure.
In all the turmoil and confusion of
prices one class connected with the bus
mess has been a winner. the laborng men
in the mills. Expert help in shingle mill
work has been scarce and the millmen
could not get enough men to do their
work. All through the season of 1900 there
has been demand for men. and many
millmen put in a good part of their time
Whether prices were high or low. the
men got from two and half to four dol
lars per day and steady work. Their
union was complete even without any or
ganization, and while the work is hard
and sometimes dangerous, their remuner-
alton. considering the price conditions,
was always high.
Last year the Whatcom County Shng.e
Association seemed to be a power This
year there is none. 1t dissolved because
it was useless and impractical. There is
a state association which has a moral
effect. 1t has been fully demonstrated
that no association ties can bind shingle
mill men to ironcad rules regarding run
ming and output, as long as the mills are
controlled by as many owners as al pres
ent. When rules were promulgated for
closing down they acquiesced and quietly
went on running. Each was willing for
his neighbor to close down and curtal
the market. but when 1t came to closing
down his own plant, perhaps running at a
profit of from twenty five to one hundred
dollars per day he hesltated--and went
on running. Time after time 1t was tried
and failed each time, and the last fail
ure discouraged the most enthusiastic.
and mill men say that there viii never
be another mill organization for the con-
trolling of output and prices on the same