The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-18
|LUMBERMEN DIFFER STILL THEY COME
Points Brought Up at Their Annual
Meeting.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ASSOCIATION
Change In the Constitution Proposed
Little Talk OF Higher
Prices.

The differences between the wholesalers
and retailers were the most important
matters to come before the Mississippi
Valley Lumbermen's association at Its an
nual meeting this afternoon. Overtures
were received from the retailers asking
for restoration. along modified lines, OF
the agreement heretofore existing be-
tween the two branches OF the trade, but
practically abrogated some time ago by
the wholesalers. The manufacturers were
satisfied with the agreement which
worked tremendously enough, until. as
they say, the retailers became too dtcta-
torial and by insisting on too broad an
Interpretation of its provisions, gave the
wholesalers the short end OF all misun-
derstandings.
It has been the custom to settle differ
ences Independently Of the associations
through their secretaries. The retailers,
it is charged, have thus been able to In
sist on. such an application Of the agree
ment as would protect their agreements
and work hardship on the manufacturers.
One of the chief objections Of whole
salers to the agreement Is that they have
been forced to pay penalty OF 10 per
cent on shipments of lumber to towns in
which retailers were not represented.
Said prominent wholesaler:
The fact is we are manufacturing lumber
for the consumers and not for the retailers.
Tho way they, have undertaken to restrict
our operations and define the territory IN
which we may do business amounts to an i'm
position. We have believed in protecting the
small dealer and where the retailers have
not shown an unreasonable attitude toward
us, we have always preferred TO deal with
them first hand on a fair basis. AS matter
| of fact the small dealers are not so much &c
blame. By reason of their association they
have put themselves in the clutches OF the
yardmen-the fellows who control from
| twenty-five to fifty yards in a certain terri
! tory and simply use the association as clut
to keep the small dealers in line. They sim
ply use the association as a means to theil
| own selfish ends and as rule the interests
of the little fellows are largely overlooked.
I The wholesalers appointed committee
| some time ago to confer with like com
mittee from the retailers. The whole
salers will abide by the decision OF The
joint committee this afternoon.
| New Constitution.
Another matter which will come before
| the association will be the adoption o.
| the new constitution. and bylaws. The
most important amendment to the con.
| stitution will be that providing for the
assessment of members on what is LOOKED
upon as a more equitable basis. Hereto
| fore shipments have been used as the
basis for assessment. 1t is now proposed
| that the amount of lumber manufactured
by each concern, and not the amour
shipped during the year shall be primar!
consideration in the, assessment of in
dividual members of the association.
There was little disposition on the par
| of members to boost prices. While sucf
! a proposition found favor in some quarters
| the more conservative ones declared tina
no such action would be taken. The
present great shortage in white pine II
keeping prices at satisfactory level
and while the limit has been raised II
| individual instances there is no genera
disposition to elevate the selling figures.
| The board of directors of the retailers
association was also in session this aft
ernoOn. .--r .>&s n