The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-04-21
WAGE WAR ON COMBINE
NEW YORK PAPER PREDICTS
A BITTER FIGHT.
Says That Outside Packers Have
Declared They Will Cut
Profits TO Zero.

In an article with New York date
line the New York Commercial prints
the following. the inspiration for which
evidently came from this section OF the
country:
"a bitter war has already begun be-
tween the Columbia River Packers As-
sOclatlon and the outside packers, and
no one In the trade can tell what the
outcome will be. II seems absolutely
certain, however. that one result Of the
tight viii BE- low prices on canned CHI
nook salmon. In fact, prices OF $3.50.
tl.65 and rs cents. respectively on tails.
flats and haif-pounds. have already
been named by one Of the smaller pack
erB opposed 10 the association, and there
appears to b. every likelihood that the
more important Of the other outsiders
VIII make no higher quotations. On
basis Of $3.50 for tails well-informed
salmon men declare the combine would
not be able 10 pack goods at a profit.
The fight on the river this year was
precipItated by the action Of the Co
lumbia River Packers Association In
trying 10 get a bill through the Oregon
legislature making the use OF fish
wheels Illegal The canneries operating
these fish wheels are located on the up
per Columbia. and. by reason Of these
devices the up-rlver packers are able
to secure their FISH al comparatively
slight cost. while the association II com
PEELED 10 pay a high cost per pound
for the fish Il uses for canning. The
principal motive Of the association.
however. In seeking 10 have the wneels
leg1slated out Of existence, according
10 one Of the best Informed salmon men
In this city. was TO inJure one Of the
leading outside packers on the river.
VINO In also extensively interested In the
frozen salmon business.
This outside canncr according TO the
Commercials informant. has now deter
mined 10 retaliate TO the utmost extent
Of his power. and has virtually declared
that he will drive the Columbia River
Packers association out of business
Having n cannery up the river depend
ing for its supply OF fish on fish
wheel. and also being a buyer OF raw
fish In the open market for freezing
this salmon man. II would seem. enjoys
peculiar advantage over the associa-
ton In he struggle now opening. II
is believed TO be- mis- intention not only
TO make very low price on canned
salmon. a price at which the combine
can not prohtably pack at the present
cost Of raw fish. but also 10 bid up the
price OF the raw article. which will
cause the association very much heav-
Ter less
"Bverding & Farrel owners OF the
Pillar Rock Company, who have made
the $50. $l.65 and CSC prices are under
stood TO stand very close TO the large
outside packer referred to. and It is the
theory OF some in the New York trade
that these figures are put out entirely
AS a feeder" In the interest OF the
big outside packer who is cunning for
the combine. The latter. according TO
the Commercials information. conten-
plates even lower prices than those
named; namely. $3.50 for both tails ard
fats, (. o. b. Coast Other reports say
there viii be a difference Of &c between
the tall and The fiat cans
"All the outside Gamers. particularly
those operating fish wheels. apparently
are agreed 10 wage bitter war against
the association. One we'll known Gamer
writes tn the Commercial TO say that
there will be no let-up in the fight
until such time as the combine dsap-
pears from the river. It is going 10 be
a fight 20 the finish