The sun., 1919-03-23
NO LUMBER PRICE
CUT; DEALERS SAY
Little Information About Con-
diti0ns Is Submitted at
Conference. r..
PRODUCTION COSTS SCARS
Announcement of Revision in
Steel Charges Brings Fay-
orable Comment.

WARRINGTON, March a2.-Representa-
tives of the lumber industry and the in
| dustrial board Of the Department OF
Commerce encountered many difficulties
peculiar to the trade In beginning con-
ferences to-day with q view to effectins
price revisions similar to those In steel
products
At the close of more than six hours
! Of discussion, II was announced that in
the absence Of any organization compe-
tent to speak for majority Of the
| lumber producers In this country. no
agreement had been reached and In view
of the completely Of the situation suffi-
Client 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 lumbermen remain in
Washington for consultation with the
| board and 70 supply available figures
| on tho production OF cost of each sec
ton of the lumber. industry. Further
meetings will be subject to the call oil
the board, which will occupy much OF
next week in conference with brick and
| cement interests.
The committee consists of John II.
Kirby of Houston, Tex, president of the
National Lumber Manufacturers Assoc
citation; DR.. Wilson Compton. Chicago.
secretary manager of the same orsan-
ization; r. NJ. Hickey, New Orleans,
economist Of the Southern Pine Associa-
ton G. L. Hume, Norfolk, Va, North
Carolina Pine Association; George w.
Ward, Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia Saw
/, mill Association, and NJ. w. Stark, Gin
cinnat!, American Hardwood Association.
Cost Increase Continues.
II was evident from comments after
the meeting that the lumber mon did not
| hold out any prospect OF material reduc-
tions In the prices of their products
Mr.. Kirby declared production costs had
gone up out of proportion to the rise In
price and the Increase had continued
even since the armistlce was signed.
Some Of the lumbermen were dubious
as to the legality OF any price agree
ments. Mr.. Kirby said the association
of which he was a member woule
throw out" any man guilty of conspir
ing to Ak prices. What the board mem
bers told the lumbermen on this sub5ec
was not disclosed. but It generally ha
been accepted that the announcement o
agreed steel prices and the holding o
ito-day's conferences. following consulta
ton between Mr.. Peek and the Attorney
General. meant that no obstacles would
be placed by the department OF justIc
in the way of agreed price reduction,
designed to improve the general economi
,situation.
A. c. Johnson OF Dubuque. Iowa, repre-
isenting some retail lumber dealers de
clared many buyers would begin con
struction rs soon as there was an an
nouncement that there would be no re
duction in lumber prices. The trade a
present was said to be good. Mr.. John
son had the support of the lumber of
ficers In declaring that price reductions
would have so small an effect on dwell
lings and other wooden construction tina
II was assurance of stability rather thar
lower cost which was desirable.
Steel Rate Praised.
Announcement of steel price revision
ELECTED favorable comment to-day from
officials of the Department OF Labor ant
the American Federation of Labor oil
the clause providing that present wag,
rates or agreements will not be inter
fered with" by the reductions to tn,
public.
ANY action on the part OF large EN-
ployers OF labor to lower their prices 70
their products to the point where the.
only receive reasonable return on thei
investment cannot be but helpful" sale
Frank Morrison, secretary OF the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor.
I'm fact, considering the tremendous
profits they made during the war, the,
could very we'll afford b sell their prod
ucts at little or any profit with the pur
pose OF assisting in encouraging peac
industries TO resume activities at once
The resumption of the peace industries
also cannot be but helpful in keeping a
work those now employed. but will assis
In absorbing soldiers as they are demo
bilized."
Roger w. Babson. chief OF the infor
nation and education service. Depart
ment OF Labor. declared II was useles
for purchasers TO expect lower wages {,
bring down the price of steel.
For that reason" he said, builder
who use structural steel will serve n,
useful purpose for their own interest
and will hamper the restoration of publ
confidence In business II they delay an,
longer putting under way steel construc
ton that is now required. America 1
short of almost every kind OF construc
ton. and builders have held OF becaus
they hoped for lower wages and prices
The prices that have now been fxed will
continue in force for long time, and n,
reduction In wages OF any importance
need be looked for.
Already there have been encouragin,
ind cations OF revival on the part OF tn
steel industry even before the price seal
was p nnounced. Letters recal-ed by thi
service show that orders are coming Il
to steel plants in gradually increasing
numbers. and some steel and iron plant
already working full time contemplate
extensions and the employment of large
forces
THE stabilization OF steel price
should result in a greatly increased vol
ume of business"
lOUIGLEYS REPORT
EACH OTHER MISSING