The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-22
Existence of Many Mills Rests on
Pending Action.
WAGES MAY BE FORCED DOWN.
IL Output Is Not stopped Bottom VIII
Drop Out of the Market, ana DIS
organization of Manufacturers
Association Will Closely Fol-
Maintain Prices in the East.

Inc grayeSt Crisis tHdt mas pethaPS wv
confronted the shingle manufacturers OF
Washington is facing them now. and I'M
less they meet 1t by standing firmly to-
gether 1t is believed that the result VIII
be the cutting of prizes to such an
extern that there will be cheaper and
poorer markets for all lines of shingles,
from logs to the finished product and
the reduction of wages of all employees
working in the shingle business. So say
some of the shingle men.
This statement is said by others TO be
overdrawn, but those who are familiar
with the conditions of the markets and
the general trend In the East say the con-
ditions would be even worse than stated
should the manufacturers fail to follow
the advice of the executive committee OF
the manufacturers association, and close
for the two first weeks in May, so that
the output may be decreased and prices
maintained.
Only little more production is needed
to turn the scale. Dealers in the East
are already quoting cut prices and buying
only small and necessary orders. as they
believe they will be able to get all they
want in few weeks for still less. The
following telegram sent from Minneapolis
to President McNeey, of the association,
shows in few words the condition in the
Mississippi valley:
''Shingle prices constantly growing weak
er; s215 and $2.f7 is the going rate. De-
mand light, and likely TO continue thirty
days. Heavy reduction in output imper"
alive"
This telegram is signed by l. F. Swarth-
out, of the Seattle Cedar Lumber Com
pany, which has never followed the as
ISOLATION In any of the close-downs of the
last six months: J. b. Thompson, OF the
Puget Sound Sawmill and Shingle Com
pany, of Fairhaven, which closed only one
week.-Mrs. spring-and will not close again:
Emory White. of the st. Paul and Tacoma
Lumber Company, which has never closed:
and ID. II. McMulin. of the Atlas Lumber
Company. which has always faithfully fol-
lowed the association. They are the trav-
cling representatives of these firms in the
East and their statements are based on
the results of careful investigation of
the Eastern conditions. The prices they
quote are 10 cents less than the prices of
the washington association.
"What's the Matterf"
Here IL another telegram bearing on the
same matter. 1t was sent from the w.
|. Carpenter Lumber Company, OF Mime
apolis, to Secretary Beckman. last FRI
day:
What's the matter with the association?
Has II collapsed? Shingles offered to re-
tail trade here at sails. Advise u.s.
This price is also cut of 10 cents
II seems by no means certain that the
mills will suspend operations April 2s for
two weeks, as requested by the officials
of the association. The small mills are
said to be remaining faithful to the prin-
ciples of the organization, but some of
the large mills located at Ballard. Ia
coma and Fairhaven are said to refuse to
close at ALL As this spirit has prevailed
during the previous shut-downs these
mills running while the others were idle
the faithful have been convinced that they
have not been fairly treated. and are ON
the roint of letting the association go and
fhTs for aa1f
c.ose-down Is not carried out contem-
plated II will probably mean that the as
ISOLATION will be disbanded until the re-
su,ting handships should actually force the
mills to come together again and spend
the summer in an endeavor to get the
prices back to the scale where all may
work and make money.
May start War.
u,timatums have been given by several
of the mills to the effect that II the shut
down is not carried out by 50 per cent. of
the mills during the first part of May
they will withdraw and precipitate a gem
eral war The following letter to Secre-
tary Beekman is a sample Of several that
have been received from dealers equally
prominent. 1t is from Thomas Robinson,
president OF the Thomas Robinson Lum-
Der Company. Everett, and reads in full as
follows:
I'VE have signed the card. I. e.. the
agreement to close, but We wish to have II
distinctly understood that unless 90 per
cent. OF the mills close down we shall not
fall into line. We appreciate very fully
all YOU have done for the association and
what the association has done for the
trade, but we think there are number of
manufacturers who are taking advantage
of these shut-downs. in the way OF get
ting the benefit that accrues from the
same. but are neither members Of the as
sociation nor do they close their mills down
when requested to do 80.
we are opposed to this class OF ieeches
and wish to state that unless the mills DO
close down for two weeks In order to try
and bolster up prices We shall send out
a circular TO the trade on the following
scale, withdraw from the association, and
fight our own battles. Projections. H.65
per ieCo: Eurekas, IS; clears, $780, stars.
si.i0; and unsess the mills practically as
a whole fall into line in this movement
these lists on the foregoing prices VIII
leave here April 20. We mean every word
OF II. and shall carry Il out to the letter"
small Mills VIII Close.
THE small mills are willing 90 close and
maintain prices" said Secretary Beckman
yesterday. hut some OF the large ones
| do not. and this makes the others sore.
They feel that they are being imposed
upon The condition Of the market Is so
shaky that unless the mills suspend for
| the two weeks commencing April p prices
| will 90 TO the bottom. The result would be
one Of the most disastrous that has ever
| affected Washington shingie- making. FOR
il would mean the closing OF many Of the
small mills and a reduction In prices thai
would Al once AFFECT the labor. ! should
| not be surprised 70 see wages drop q per
| cent Logs would also 20 dovn. This Is
| NOT idle talk bat know H. We have not
| yet received full returns OF what the mills
/ will DO but already Is 81 the rs mills
have signed the agreement 10 close and
by the tine the members Of the executive
| committee are through with their canvass
we hope there will be enough signers.''
| As an Indication Of the fatthfu.ness %
| TIE small mills in this movement. Secre-
| tary Beckuau showed a card from = manu-
| tactursr Of Everett The shingieman
/ signed the card bet added this. This Is
'tu1' bat s. shingles would be 'fuher.'
| That Is the meat OF the Whole bgsl-
| mesa" said Mr. Bsckman. 1T Is tough
| for the mills 10 have 20 close 70 maintain
| prices. SUI II viii De tougher 81 they
| should run thess two weeks and then