The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1907-06-01
MISSISSIPPI SAW MILLS.


low pine saw mills of Mississippi for a
period of few weeks is seriously con-
templated by number of the mill men
and will be discussed at the convention
of the Mississippi Pine Association,
which meets in Hattiesburg on June 5.
This step is advocated as a means to
overcome the slump in the market which
has been felt for the past three weeks
or more. Some of the largest mills, for
instance the K. C. Lumber Company's
plant at Lucedale, has already closed
down on its own account. Others will
do likewise, and still others will do so if
the association will pass resolution to
that effect. AT this time of the year
all the mills need repairs, and some of
them mako practice of taking two
weeks or month every year to put
their machinery in condision, SO that a
close-down would not represent total
loss to the operators.
The yellow-pine market is not in a
desperate condition, but with respect to
car materials and bridge timbers, which
form the bulk of the Mississippi cut,
there is noticeable decline. This is
attributed to the falling off in car build
ing operations and cessation of railroad
building to great extent, but mostly
it is due to the sudden relaxation of the
car supply stringency. After period
of several months, during which scarcely
any cars could be obtained for hauling
the cut to market, and stacks of lumber
accumulated at all the mills, the situa-
ton suddenly and completely eased off
about three weeks ago, so that the mills
could get all the cars they wanted, with
the result that the old accumula tions
were all rushed off tn the market at
once. If this stock of lumber could
have been worked off gradually, it would
have had but slight effect upon value,
but when it was all pushed on the mar
ket at once quotations fell off. At pres
ent quotations are not SO low as they
are uncertain. Mill men do not know
what to expect for their goods.
The convention of the Mississippi
Pine Association, to be held in this city
at the Hotel Hattiesburg on June 5, is
expected to be thoroughly representa-
tive of the lumber manufacturing inter-
ests of the State. 1t will be the first
session of the association since the reor-
ganization, and the membership has
been increased, till it now includes up
wards of 200 mill men, great and small.
Any action which they may resolve to
take will practically control the trade
in this State.
AT the association meeting on June 5
a specially prepared address on "Trans-
portation Problems" will be read by G.
w. Robinson. of New Orleans, the
owner of some ten mills in Louisiana,
and Alabama, and one OF
the most extensive manufacturers and
In the South. AT the same
Mr.. Ewing A. Walker, secre-
tary of the association, will explain the
new plan he has devised for keeping the
members of the association posted on
price fluctuations. The association will
not attempt to carry out the plan in
vogue with the other lumber associa-
tons of issuing price list from time to
time, as such lists are believed to be
very generally discredited in the eyes of
the lumbermen and to make an errone-
GUS impression on the mind OF the pub
lie. Secretary Walker will from time
to time send out to the mill men of this
territory blanks, in which the manufac-
turers will set forth the maximum
amounts they have been securing for
specific grades of lumber. When these
replies return to the secretary, he will
classify them and draw up reports show
ing the average prices prevailing for
actual business, and these reports viii
be sent to the association members for
their information and guidance.
CA9EoREA.
ss..s stls ~ kad isl aan Nar DAUe
as,:''' HZZz5