The Ocala banner., 1907-12-20
NO MONEY FOR EXTENSION

There is apparently no doubt that
the naval stores factors are determin-
ed to do nothing that Will tend 10
stimulate production Tor the next sea
son.
Without any exception they are ad-
vising their customers among The
producers that the box cut must be
held down 10 the smallest possible
figures, that it Will be better not 10
cut any boxes at all, and that 1t viii
be difficult 10 advance Tor the next
three months except for raking and
other absolutely necessary expenses.
The trees must be raked to protect
them from fires, and there is certain
other work that must be done, but
there is decidedly no disposition
shown by factors TO make advances
for new operations The following
from a recent circular letter issued
by the ]. P. Williams Company tells
the situation concisely and strongly.
1T is imperative that each and
every producer Of naval stores should
take immediate and stringent steps
To reduce expenses in every possible
way. The labOrers throughout the
country are quite we'll Informed as to
the existing conditions, and will, we
believe. consent to a reduction of
wages. The value of our product has
been largely reduced, therefore it is
quite proper to reduce in every possi-
BILE way the cost of its manufacture.
Take advantage of your present op-
portunity and reduce wages. The re-
suit will be that you will get more
and better work done for less money.
BOX cutting: Factors, generally
speaking, are not in a position to ad-
vance money or promise TO advance
il for the purpose of buying timber
of cutting boxes, at least not until
the financial situation clears consid-
erably. Their source OF supply of
funds is practically cut of and they
are placed in a position where they
must run along on what they have
got in hand We, therefore. advise
you to so very slow in arranging 10
cut any boxes at all. for if you do you
may find later on that YOU cannot
secUfe the money TO pay for what you
cut Independent operators can do
much TO restrict the production by
cutting very few if any boxes. They
may rest assured that factors Will do
their part toward restricting the out
put for the coming season from
necessity if not from choice
Lastly, 1t WiI take the strictest
economy and curtailment Of eXpen-
ditures TO weather the storm success
fully, and we earnestly advise our pa
irons to act accordingly"
1.-The financial difficulties through
which the country is passing may
prove 10 be a veritable blessing in
disguise" said Vice-President Carson
in discussing the situation. The in
ability of factors to secure money
with which TO advance to producers
as freely as in recent years must re-
suit in a great reduction in the box
cut, and a corresponding reduction in
the next crop of turpentine and pale
rosins. helping to offset that is feared
in general trade. if il comes. a re-
duced crop next year would have
beneficial effect for two or three
years.
Labor Will be plentiful and cheap
er As a result OF existing conditions,
and II will be possible to make a de-
cided reduction in the expenses of
production. This will enable produc.
erS 10 work the old boxes TO advan-
tage and save the virgin timber.
With labor and other exnenses high
il woU'9 raJ have been profitable to
work the Ol5 boxes TO the extent that
they can be worked under the cOndi-
tions that will probably exist during
the coming season By pursuing this
policy the producers will not only
save the round timber but they will
be doing all in their power TO keep
mp the values of turpentine and pale
rosins, not only for next year, but for
the following year or two A dimin-
ished production Of 190s-0s will have
a telling effect for 1909-10 and per-
haps the succeeding year.
Il think producers as a class are
preparing for whatever the coming