The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-02-13
PINE LUMBER Shippers
MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION


4 The FIRST annual meeting Of the
Western Pine Shipper association
was held in the office Of the secretary
in the Golden Gate block at Spokane,
Wednesday.
The organization is composed Of
men engaged In the business Of manu-
featuring and shipping the products
Of the forests Of the northwest and,
while not q year old, IL has already
made its influence felt in the matter
Of freight rates, one Of the most DIM
cult problems the shippers are called
upon TO contend with.
q. w. Mason, Of the Occur d'Aieue
Lumber company. president Of the
organization. ia his annual address
calls attention 10 the need OF effort
to secure better railway rates, as
follows:
1T il with pleasure that vel
come and greet you to this. our first
annual meeting Of the Western Pine
Shipper association. As our assoc
istion il not quite a year old we
have hardly had time to put into
force the full equipment Of the mach
iDery Of our organization, yet \
Dncieus has been formed, about which
will be added from time 20 time the
results Of not only the efforts that
have been made, that will soon place
the lumber industry Of the Inland
Empire ia its rightful position before
the markets - the world. which
markets have Of late 90 frequently
turned their gaze towards us As the
coming center Of manufacturing Of
the only wood that is so closely
allied 10 the old cork pine Of the
east, the forests Of which are 30
rapidly disappearing that we have
been able TO market the better grades
Of cur products at comparatively
satisfactory prices.
Bot unfortunately our timber
will not cut 70 all upper grades, and
while ne have succeeded in finding
market for our better stock, despite
the enormous freight rates we hare to
contend with. ne flnd that on account
Of said rates the market for cur com.
mon products Is limited TO the extent
that the legitimate development Of
Our industry can not be hoped for
until, through the efficient efforts Of
our railway committee and the con.
sideraiion Of the traffic officials of
the various lines. some solution Of
the problem IL found.
n believe that the traffic officials /
are fully aware of the fact that their |
interests and our interests are
identical, and are willing TO act upon
the reasonable demands Of the sitna-
tioO. and trust that dn,iag the com.
ine year the committee willhweigh |
we'll the interests Of all parties aud /
make just and equitable requests. and |
receive the hearty and unanimous |
support Of every memLer Of the assoc.
istion. thus protecting the long time |
Interests Of all, although it may not !
be possible 10 serve each individuals /
interes, 10 the same extent at the
same time. Il is difiacult to calculate.
At this time, the benefits that will /
accrue from the efforts already pu,
forth.
As We look over our mountain
sides from which most IL our timber
supply comes, and realize that. unlike
many other forest lands. which once
Invested Of it's growth soon yield Go
the influence Of the aHrieultarist.
will prevent all Of our tim
her from snrineine up again, thus
insuring the long life Of our supply
aud our industry.
Therefore. It behooves us to lay
The foundation Of our industry with
great care aud with no little thought
for the future, ever keeping in view
the value Of the product we must
foster and protect. and keeping a
never waning vigilance in order that
we may not fail TO keep the condi.
lions which surround the sale aud
Of our product the
most favorable that constant effort
san obtain.
ITO this end, the association. the
Of which has brought us
together today, was organized, start
ing with few members determined
10 test lie value, You are all familiar
With the results, and each member IL
perhaps the beet judge Of his own
benefits 90 far - they are
at the present time. But
We must draw upon the future to
zone extent 10 realize tho full scope
u the benefits Of the whole coming
from this years work.
mo aggressive campaign has BEEN
made 10 greatly increase our member. !