Arizona republican., 1919-03-23
U WEIR PRICES FUR LUMBER UNEXPECTED
 BY THAT INDUSTRY
Republican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, March 22-Repre- sentatives of the lumber industry and the industrial board of the department of commerce encountered many diffi- culties peculiar to the trade, in begin ming conference today with a view to effecting price revisions similar to those in steel products.
 At the close of more than six hours of discussion, it was announced that in the absence of any organization competne to speak for a majority of the lumber producers in this country no agreement had been reached, and in view of the complexity of the situation. sufficient data was not available on which the board could base any action
 Hope of an agreement was held out. however, in the decision to have com mittee of the lumber men remain in Washington for consultation with the board. and to supply available figures Of the production and costs in each section of the lumber industry.
 Further meetings will be subpect to the call of the board, which will oc- cupy much of next week in conference with brick and cement interests
 No Prospect of Reduction
 The committee includes John H, Kirby of Houston, Tevas, president of the National Lumber Manufacturers association.
 It was evident from comments after the meeting that the lumber men did not hold any prospect of material re- ductions in the prices of their pro- ducts. Mir. Kirby declared production costs had had gone up out of propor- ton to the rise in price, and that the increase had continued even since the armistice was signed.
 In response to the request of the board that the lumbermen take the ini- tiative in submitting schedule of re- vised prices. it was pointed out that nobody present had authority to take such action, other than for his own plants and that even if an agreement were reached at the conference, it's eff | feet would be local to those plants and 1 have no general effect
 l A. c. Johnson of Dubuque. Iowa. rep resenting some retail lumber dealers, declared many buyers would begin con- structioG as soon as there was an- nouncement that there would be no reduction in lumber prices
 Issue Statement
 At the close of the conference. the industrial board issued the following statement:
 At conference held today between the industrial board of the department Of commerce with certain representa- tive of the lumber industry, $. S. Bush, who acted as chairman in the 1 absence of George N. Peck, stated that in view of the fact that there was not at the conference a representation that was authorized to speak for more than fragments of the lumber industry, and in view of the complexity of the prob- lem presented, otherwise sufficient data was not available which could bt used as basis for any action by the board. Representative of the industry present submitted certain data con . cerning their present costs and selling prices to which the board will givt consideration. but it is desired tha' ]; some satisfactory basis, fair to all, may , be found upon which to consider price: as whole"
 , Announcement of steel price revl slons brought favorable comment toda. from officials of the department O labor and the American Federation 0 . Laoor, on the clause providing Una present wage rates or agreement Will not be interfered with" by the re auctions to the Duh1ic