The San Francisco call., 1906-08-05
Prices for Lengths That
viii Require Two Cars
May Increase the Most
MANY STATISTICS
FOR GRAND JURY
Profits of Dealers Proved
to Be Inproportionate
to Actual Investment


~ formation received last night
~ from Tacoma an additional
advance probably will be made
in the price of lumber. especially long
lengths which will require two cars
for transportation. Saw mills on the
Sound are shutting down owing to the
congestion Of freight traffic and the
inability OF the railroads to move the
lumber. II was learned yesterday, too,
that the Federal Grand Jury will be
presented in its investigation of the
alleged lumber trust with facts and
figures to prove that the profits of the
manufacturers. shippers and dealers
are out of proportion to the amount
OF money they are investing.
1t is believed that the advance in the
price of long timber will reach $40 on
each 1000 feet. This special advance
in long timber is probably due to the
trouble in obtaining transportation
which. while it causes congestion at
the mills. creates a scarcity at the
distributing points.
The Southern Pacinc is not the only
line suffering from the congestion of
lumber, for it is reported that on the
Northern Pacific side tracks between
Tacoma and Ellensburg. Wash, a dis
tance< of a hundred miles. there are
5000 Car loads OF lumber products. with
some other freight, which were east
bound, but which cannot be moved for
lack of engines. A prominent manu-
facturer OF Grays Harbor has stated
that mills in his locality will be forced
to close in a few days on account
Of the tying up Of the cars.
WILL AID GRAND JURY.
Every effort will be made by local
lumber consumers to aid the Federal
Grand Jury in its attempt to investi-
gate the cause of the raise in prices.
The inability of the railroad companies
to transport more lumber and the ad-
tional prices are causing CONSERVATION
among the would-be builders in San
Francisco. For a lack of buildings
they are losing rents on property of
much value. and to build at the pres
ent time will result in expenses that
they feel are not justified and in many
cases expenses that they cannot afford
to meet.
Statistical information regarding the
profits of the shippers and dealers is
being carefully collected and will be
conveniently arranged for the use of
the Federal Grand Jury. Some of these
statistics, a sample of which fol-
complimentary light before those who
are endeavoring to rebuild the city.
PROFITS ENORMOUS.
Stumpage in the northwest, that is,
the value of the log before being cut,
is 81. The average cost of taking
the log to the mill is $3.50. Logs sold
and delivered at mills are paid for
at the average rate Of SO each. thus
a clear profit Of $3.50 being realized in
that transaction. The cost OF saving
lumber amounts to 81 for 1000 feet, and
the price paid for shipping that amount
to San Francisco is s6.25. The average
price IN San Francisco of twelve-inch
boards is from s26 to s31 per 1000 feet
rough, and from s35 to s45 for clear
lumber
Before the fire, it is stated, the rate
of carrying lumber to San Francisco
was $3.50. and the steam schooners
were paying dividends of 80 to 35 per
cent. At the present time, however,
the dividends reach 60 to 20 per cent
per annum. a result of the rate of
shipment going up to 1928 a thousand
Before the fire lumber was sold in
three grades. No. 2 grade was sold
for 50 less than No. /, while No. 3 was
quoted at Sc less than. No. 2. Now no
distinction is made.