The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-11
Mill Men to Stick Together
 For Good Of Lumber Trade

financial panic has caused the existing low prices for lumber, or at least has been the chief cause. Another cause assigned by many of the leading speak The belief was expressed by President James c. Williams of the Association that the beginning of the price-chop- ping movement was west of the Mis- sissippi River. If the mills east of the river were to hold their own they had to follow suit. Thus. sn connection with the general business depression of the country at large, reducing opera tions to a dreadful minimum. prices have tumbled at fearful rate.
 Personal Experiences.
 At the conclusion Of the business ses- sion yesterday afternoon there was a general discussion by every member were illustrated by his individual sales. A large majority agreed that 1t were better to shut down the mills at once than to sell at present losing prices and made arrangements to shut down in q few days ana the rest found them selves tied up under leases and other contracts so Shat they could not ar- range to close down their plants at and still others are operating their mills because of the large stocks of oxen and livestock on hand.
 Before adjournment yesterday after noon. or rather last night, as the ses- sion ran over to 6:4S o'clock. the mem bers decided by vote to hold the next monthly meeting in Birmingham. An important amendment was also voted tain changes in the matter of holding the monthly meetings of the organi- zation. By the changes. the Assocfa- ton ordered that every other monthly as well as the annual gathering. but that by a two-thirds vote of those pres. ent at any of the monthly meetings the meeting at Montgomery could be passed and If desired a special meeting held in lieu thereof at any place that may be voted upon. Further, the amendment provided that at the preced- ing meeting in Montgomery the place shall be naned. the places to be con fined. however. to Mobile, Pensacola and Birmingham.
 At 8 o'clock last night the annual banquet of the lumbermen was held ir the dining room of the Exchange Hotel and the customary happy time was en- joyed.
 President wfiliams's Address.
 On account of the delay of the train which brought President Williams tc Montgomery, the convention which was to assemble at o'clock was postponed untIl 3 o'clock when President VII Hams opened the session with his briei address. Mir. Williams told of the ob- servations he had made while on an extended trip through the leading mar ket centers in Indiana, Ohio and the Great Lakes States. He has also just returned from business trip through the West. He said that nearly every. where North and West that he visited the wholesale lumber dealers were asking. What in the world Is the mat. ter with you fellows down South?'
 This was explained by Mir. Williams to mean that one great cause of tht present bottom prices of lumber lies in the lack of efficient work by the as sociation. He believed in pulling to- gether and urged the association tC buckle on its girdie closer. bind the ties of the members and everybody pull with a vengeance for more co-opera- tive efforts in the task of sustaining have to be done In order to do away with the proTniscuous price-r1ak king now being practiced everywhere in the yellow pine trade.
 turers pulling and holding together Mr. Williams referred to the work be. ing done by the associations represent ing the hemlock and white pine in. Together in demanding their prices ant were succeeding in their efforts Il requires cooperation and a connor decision not to sell at. losing prices Mir. Williams said he was inclined tt believe that the cooperative work oi had much to do with the procuring of the two-cent rebate on lumber thai is now being enjoyed by the manu' lecturers.
 Mir. Williams told his hearers that the officials of the Southern Weighing and Inspection Bureau had asked that the association appoint a represents tive to accompany two of the bureau men to several points where associa: tion plants are located for the purpose of making weight tests of lumb CT shipped therefrofn with a view of ar irving at some sort of average. This is for the purpose of getting basis for the proper adjustment of freight claims, and minimize future discrepan- eies on this score.
 Report on Weights.
 Later on in the meeting a report val was called for of the Committee on Weights and weighing of Lumber which had been appointed at the February meet. ing or rather continued, to make final report at the annuel meeting on what report at the annual meeting on what terday W. s. Hollister. of Montgom-