Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-13
LUMBER DEALERS MEETING
Esbrasts Retailers Gathering in Omaha for
Their Annual Convention.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN SESSION
Lumber Merchants from All Parts of
the state Report Trade TO He
in Better Condition
Than for Years.


The board OF directors OF the Nebraska
Retail Lumber Dealers association was IN
session yesterday at the Delone hotel pre-
liminary to the meeting of the association
this afternoon at Creighton hall.
The directors present at this meeting were
f. l.. Myers OF Newport, president; J. {.
Cleland of Fremont, secretary; NJ. L.. Fries
OF Arcadia, vice president c. ii. lddings
of North Platte and A. Powell OF ST. Ed
ward. The other members OF the commit
tee, o. o. Snyder OF O'Neil. l.. U. Whiffen
OF Dewitt, y. d. Sherwood of North Bend
and y. r. Cornell Of Hodrege, had not ar
rived when the meeting was called to order.
The work OF the directors was confined to
passing upon complaints made by members
and routine matters. which will be referred
TO the convention today.
Record-BreakinE Year.
The past year has been prosperous one
for the association. The secretary reports
that over 100 names have been added to
the roll OF membership since the convention
of 1900, and that the work has given general
satisfaction to the members.
For the last ten days the secretary and
board OF directors have been trying to ar
range for an excursion to take place at the
close OF tho convention. but after taking
the consensus OF the opinions OF the mem
bers IL was decided to postpone the excur-
sion for one year.
The convention will be called to order at
Creighton hall at 2 o'clock this after
noon. when the reports of the officers will
be read and committees will be appointed.
The real work OF the convention will begin
Thursday morning. The principal subject
for discussion will be ''poaching''-the prac-
tice OF some wholesale merchants in selling
20 contractors and others as we'll as TO re-
tail dealers. This practice was almost uni
versal before the association was formed,
but the secretary states that through the
efforts OF the organization It has been prac-
tically discontinued in many parts OF the
state and is falling into dlsuse In all parts
with the Retailers.
Retail dealers interviewed by The Bee
talk as follows:
NJ. l.. Fries, Arcada-From out OF dis
aster riches have come to the Nebraska
lumberman. Last year we expected to sell
more lumber than we had ever sold. and
loaded up our yards accordingly. For some
reason or other the lumber did not move as
We had anticipated and this year we found
ourselves stocked heavier than would have
been advisable under ordinary circum-
stances. Now comes a marked advance in
the price of lumber and every man who
considered himself overstocked, and who, a
month or more ago was fguratively kicking
himself, is now offering himself private con-
gratulations over his business sagacity.
C. II. Iddings. North Platte-Business has
been remarkably good with us and ''poach-
ing Is becoming almost unknown. There
are still occasional cases but we have a
record Of them and think that the practice
will be completely suppressed in a short
time. Everything is moveing smoothly with
the lumber men In my section Of the coun-
try.
II. l.. Myers, Newport-The development
Of Keya Paha county has brought prosper
ity to the lumbermen Of this section OF the
state. The first settlers OF the county built
sod houses. but those who are coming In
now are erecting frame houses and It will
be but n short time until the sod house in
Keya Paha county is as much OF a novelty
as 1t is today in Holt and Rock counties.
The condition OF the farmer of the north
west was never better and he has taken ad-
vantage of the low price OF land. so that
now, when the boom has apparently re-
turned to Nebraska land, he and not the
eastern money lender is making the profit.
In many cases have known the farmers to
lease land, cut the hay and from the pro-
ceeds buy the land upon which the hay was
grown. With this condition prevailing 1t is
easy to understand the condition OF the gen
eral trade OF the community.
Farmers in Better Condition.
Charles r. Lerack, Cook-Business is re-
markably good with us. During the month OF
January sold more lumber than during the
same month in the last Ave years. Prices
are high. but the farmers and builders
hat tar nj IN na,y he suh .ric 40.
day than they were to pay the low price
several years ago, The "poachers" give us
a little trouble but get little trade In my
section. for ] fight them with their own
weapons. IL they undersell me 1t is be-
cause the buyer does not see me last.
A. Powell, st. Edward-Business is good
but the ''poachers" are worse this year than
they have ever been before. think tha,
We will settle them, though, shortly.
]. II. McBirney, Bassett--I sold out my
business the other day and am down here or
what may be my farewell visit to the con
vention. Business was good, but I found
aman who would rather buy in a lump and sc
am out Prospects are bright In my sec.
tion and everybody is busy
Met L. Saley OF the American Lumberman
q man who travels over the country in the
interests of his publication, visiting all OF
the lumber centers. will read a paper be
fore the convention this afternoon. In
speaking Of tho prospects Of the lumber
trade he said: IT believe that lumber
prices will be maintained this year as they
have never been before. The white pine
men have perfected their organization sc
that a break in prices Is practically impos-
sible. The men In this trade are now in 9
position to hold their Atock until they car
get the price fixed, and as result It will
not drop lower than 1t is today. With the
dealers Of yellow pine the market has al.
ways been a gamble. There are so man,
Arms In the business with small capita
that they are forced to sell their product
in order to pay expenses and when they
have to sell prices are generally demora-