The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-05-04
Logging Camps To Close.

On June logging camps through
out the state will close down for six
weeks ending July 16. This action
was decided upon at meeting OF the
Puget Sound Timbermen's Association
held yesterday afternoon in room 16
Union block says the P.I.
The meeting was called to order al
2:3O o'clock by the president. S. G.
Simpson, who stated the object TO be
the consideration and adoption OF
some plan that would maintain the
present association price list of logs
made January l. Every member oil
the association was present or repre-
sented by proxy. The association in
cludes about Is per cent of the logging
camps of the state. Throughout, the
meeting, while spirited, was thorough
ly harmonious and advantage was
taken of the lesson learned in the
short close down of the shingle mills
in an effort to accomplish the same
purpose. 1t was argued that the one
weeks close down of the shingle mills
was not sufficiently long to accom-
plish any result. This opinion was
expressed.
A resolution was then presented and
unanimously adopted authorizing the
association to order a close down of all
the camps within its jurisd iction from
June / to July 16. On this latter date
| it was resolved to hold another meet
ing and, if it was found at that time
that the market was not in the better
condition or would not warrant the
maintenance of the association list,
to order an extension of the close down.
About 10 per cent of the camps be-
longing to the association expressed a
determination to close down May IL.
While this action was agreeable to the
association it was made optional with
the individual firms.
An effort was made to increase the
price on No. 2 logs from FL to $3.50
per 900. This was voted down by a
bare majority.
"Our meeting throughout was har-
monious. But one object was desired
by all members present" said the
secretary, A. H. Anderson, at the con-
clusion of the meeting. "The associa-
tion price list on saw logs, as estab-
! lished January /. will be maintained
I here is at the present time surplus
of about lOO,OOO,OOO feet of logs in
Puget sound waters. This, however
is not exclusive. 1t is caused by the
remarkably mild weather we have had
from January to the present time.
1t is unprecedented in the experience
of any operator on Puget sound. AS
an illustration, the logging camps
represented at todays meeting have
been putting in the water about 500,
600 feet of logs daily as against zoe, 600
feet daily in the best former years.
This large output is due entirely to
the fine weather, with little rain and
no forest fires. 1t has been very
agreeable work this season.
"These same conditions prevail in
the Columbia river and Grays harbor
districts with the result that we have
been producing more than the mills
have consumed. The demand for logs
since January has been good.
"There is not camp belonging to
the association that will sell at less
than the association list price. They
will simply hold their stocks, if orders
at the list price are not received, until
the six weeks have expired and then If
the market is not strong enough to
maintain our prices We will continue
closed down until it is.
"The shingle situation has not now
nor will it have any bearing on the
logging situation. It seems 10 have
been foolish for the shingle mills to
close down for only week. Thirty
days at least would probably have done
the market more good. The loggers
will not~make the same mistake.