The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 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
Curtailment of Production and Price
Fixing Charged to Combine
Accusations Go Back to
,1~Esit si@lsfl

3y9st.;3t1fs@FfF ISO+'
st. Louis, May 23.-That the big
lumber companies agreed on the cur
tailment of production, that prices
were fixed by committee and that
printed price lists were sent to all the
firms as a means of controlling the
market were facts established in the
initial hearing of the states custer
suit against the lumber trust.
ASKED about meeting of the South
ern Lumber Manufacturers Associa-
ton, which later was renamed the
Yellow Pine Manufacturers Associa-
ton, In the Hoo Hoo building at the
Worlds fair in 1904, George K 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-i
Der was being cut faster than it was.
being shipped, that a 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-
tlnued, ito reduce the surplus and,
keep the supply in proportion to the
demand"
The secretary's minutes of an exc
cutive session read: 1T was thought
advisable to recommend to all manu-
facturers a reduction of 33 1-3 per
cent in the output of all sawmills I'M
til such time as the demand should
more nearly absorb the supply"
He said notices were sent to all
members to reduce their output for So
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-
ned 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 committee
gave its opinion as to what prices
ought to be-"
Later, he testified, the price COM
mittee's activities were discontinued
by a vote of the association. The
state tried to obtain an admission that
this change was made to avoid DOS
sible prosecution and Smith partially
admitted this, saying it was desired
TO avoid the charge of collision to
fix prices"
Lumbermen Change Their "Ethics."
Charges that the press had perse-
cuted the lumber trade for the past
five years and that press and public
are responsible fov the investigation
or 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-
tute 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 in the marketing of
their products through regular trade
channels. 1t is the sense of the con-
gress that the widest possible trade
publicity be given for the purpose of
making known irresponsible, unethical
and INSCRIPTIONS manufacturers.
wholesalers and dealers"
In the discussion before the vote
A. c. Garens of Homer, La, said the
newspapers have finsulted and at
tackled the lumber trade in the most
vile manner during the last five
years."
Hines to Be Retired.
Chicago, May Backward Hines is
to be displaced as president of the
Lumber Manufacturers association at
the annual meeting of the body in
Chicago, Wednesday and Thursday.
He will be succeeded by E. C. Griggs
OF Tacoma, Wash, or R. H. Van SAINT
of Ashland KY, with the chances in
favor of Mr.. Griggs. There have been
rumors of dissatisfaction over the part
Mr.. Hines played in the election of
Senator Lorimer and the Investigations
which have followed, on his retire
ment.