Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1911-05-25
LUMBER TRUST.
IN CUSTER SUIT
INITIAL @HEARING IN ACTION OF
THE STATE OF MISSOURI
Begun at st. Louis.
YELLOW PINE MEN ARE ACCUSED
UurtaIlment of Production and Price
Fixing Charged to Combine
Accusations Go Back to
1904.

st. Louis, May 23-That the biz
iumoer companies agreed on the cur.
tallment of production, that prices
were fixed by committee and that
printed price lists were sent to all the
arms as a means of controlling the
market were facts established in tho
initial hearing Of the states custer
suit against the lumber trust.
Asked about meeting of the South
ern Lumber Manufacturers Assocta-
don, which later was renamed the
Fellow Pine Manufacturers Associa-
don, in the Hoo Hoo building at the
Worlds fair in 1904, George X. Smith,
secretary Of the association, testified
that the price list committee met In
executive session at that time in con-
junction with the regular semi-annual
gathering Of the association.
He testified from his records that
the price list committee reported lum.
Der was being cut faster than it was
being shipped, that large surplus re-
suited and that, so long as the surplus
should continue, staple or advanc-
ing values would be impossible" "A
way must be found" the report con.
0nued, Ito reduce the surplus and
keep the supply in proportion to the
demand"
The secretary's minutes of an exc
eutive session read: 1T was thought
advisable to recommend to all manu-
lecturers reduction of 80 1-3 per
cent in the output of all sawmills I'M
I'll such time as the demand should
more nearly absorb the supply"
He said notices were sent to all
members to reduce their output for 90
days and that again before the ex-
piration of the 80 days period he sent
another notice that curtailment should
continue for 80 days more. He testi-
led to the holding of seven commit
tee meetings between June, 1904 and
January, 1905. Asked whether these
meetings all were held to raise prices,
he said:
There were many meetings of the
committee, at which the COMMITTEES
gave its opinion as to what prices
ought to be-"
Later, he testified, the price com.
mittee's activities were discontinued
BY vote of the association. The
state tried to obtain an admission that
this change was made to avoid pos
s1ble prosecution and Smith partially
admitted this, saying it was desired
to avoid the charge of collision to
Ok prices
Lumbermen Change Their "Ethics."
Charges that the press had perse
cuted the lumber trade for the past
i've years and that press and public
are responsible for the Investigation
Of the lumber interests by the de-
partment of justice, were made by sew.
eral delegates to the lumber trades
congress.
The discussion was over an effort
made by E. F. Perry of New York,
representing the National Wholesale
Lumber Dealers Association to have
articles XVI and XVII stricken from
the code of ethics which the congress
formulated for, the trade at large.
While he failed In this, mild substi.
lutte was carried. The sections of the
code under fire are:
1T shall be the duty of the manu-.
facturers and wholesalers to take an
active interest N the marketing OF
their products through regular trade
channels. It is the sense of the con.
gress that the widest possible trade
publicity be given for the purpose OF
making known irresponsible, unethica]
and INSCRIPTIONS manufacturers,
wholesalers and dealers"
In the discussion before the vote
A. G. Garens Of Homer. La, said the
newspapers have "insulted and at
tackled the lumber trade in the most
vile manner during the last five
years."
Hines to Be Retired.
Chicago, May 23.-Edward Hines Ii
to be displaced as president of the
Lumber Manufacturers association al
the annual meeting of the body II
Chicago, Wednesday and Thursday
He will be succeeded by E. G. Griggi
Of Tacoma, Wash, or r. H. Van SAINT
Of Ashland, KY, with the chances IL
favor of Mr.. Griggs. There have beer
rumors of dissatisfaction over the par
Mr.. Hines played in the election 0,
Senator Lorimer and the investigation,
which have followed, on his retire
ment.
BARRIERS Put Ban on Tipping.
st. Louis, May pa ban wa,
placed on tipping at q mass meeting O
bosses and journeymen BARRIERS.