The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-30
ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES
OF LUMBERMEN CHARGED
Through Combination and Agreement
Nestrict Trade and Raise
PriceH.
PARTIAL REPORT on INDUSTRY
Issued by Com mission eE-of Corporations
in Opposition TO Exemption of Asso-
Citations From "A ntitrust Law.


Washington. April 2e.-Lumber man
| ufacturcrs' associations. through com
bination and agreement have increased
the price OF lumber and endeavored
| through lobbying to influence legisla-
ton. according to Il partial report on
tho lumher industry made public to-
day by the Commissioner Of Corpora
tons. The report opposes any efforts
To exempt lumber associations from
the operation of the Sherman anti
trusi law.
This partial report is part four OF
the findings In Il complete investiga-
tionlof the lumber industry, and deals
+ only with combinations to restrict
trade or raise lumber prices. After re-
citing that price combinations among
| lumber manufacturers usually have
been effected through associations" and
declaring that In nearly every region
OF lumber production. associations cx-
list. IL sums up tho findings AS follows:
while some Of the avowed pur-
poses OF the associations arc to bring
about and foster practices that arc
| bcncliciai both to producer and con-
sumner. the chief purpose apparently
has been TO increase profits by adj
rancinc prices
"Whilesalc prices Of lumber have
been higher because of tho associated
activities OF lumber men
Continued by SubterfuEe.
ain the earlier years many associa-
4 tons openly attempted to curtail the
/ output and TO hN the wholesale price
! Of lumber; later. because of fear Of
| the law, they disavowed any Euch pur-
pose, but the practices they protested
| 10 abandon were continued by subter-
J 1uge and indircctfon.
| The National Lumber Manufao-
turers' Association has been active In
It's effort TO shape legislation, In 1909
| II maintained an aggressive lobby In
| Washington to defeat reduction OF
the tariff on lumber"
Lumber prices. according 70 tho re-
| port, had advanced from so to 200 pcr
cent between 1897 and 1907. Prior to
, 1906 the report continued. lumber men
I by open agreement, maintained prices.
Since then. "a variety Of now methods
/ have been adopted 10 carry on, In es-
sen.ials. the practices"
The evidence clearly shows" II was
/ added. mot only combinations intended
! 10 increase the market price OF lum-
\ be-. but there is abundant evidence to
! warrant the conclusion. that as a re-
\ suit Of attempts al artificial control
/ prices have been higher than they
/ otherwise would have been"
| alahufacturers In many industries.
I Wholesale and retail dealers. the In
/ vesiisators found. have organizations
4
| report said:
/ Ill may be both proper and desirable
! 10 producers in any line OF business
| TO establish standard grades 10 col :
I lcct and publish information ~ TO out
| put and current prices. and 10 CO.
/ operate in various proper ways for the
I common advantage. but it should be
/ pointed out that the Standardization of
i 2rGdes is the first step TO price fixing
I that the collection Of Information as
\ TO output facilitates the curtailment
! Of production, and that cooperation
/ for harmless purposes affords con-
venient basis for combination In ro-
/ strnint of trade
! Activity of Associatton.
| As TO the activities OF the Na,iona!
Lumber alanufacturers Association
| particularly the report said:
I The National Lumber Manufacture
ers' Association has generally directed
/ lis efforts toward these things tina:
AFFECT lumber pr oduccrs In common.
| some of It's activities. such as efforts
L. secure just and fair treatment from
4 The railroads, with respect 10 freight
/ rates and other matters ire undoubted-
/ ~ proper. Its actions In laying its
views before Legislative bodies in an
| open and straightforward way may not
I be objectionable. hut IL has not stopped
| there. When in 1909, Congress was
revising tho tariir law. this associa-
| ton was not content to present it's
case In the form OF proper argument
I IL reported to political tntrigues in its
attempts 10 Influence both politics
I parties In Congress; It tried to pack
committees: IL attempted TO secure the
influence or cabinet officers: Federal
and state forestry officials end others
high In authority: Its chief represen-
iative In Washing ton freely wrote let
ters about the services he rendered to
! certain Senator'S. and certain Repro
sentativcs. and pointed out that friend !,
/ o: a uuty on lumber traded with friends
oil other protected interests: and Off
GERS OF the association claimed large
credit for the election OF two United
states Senators. ono Of whom subs.
quently was unscated by the Senate
of the United States"