The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-01-10
DEP RT MENT OF
JUSTICE N Ak Is
in VE 5 I | c A 7 10 \
Of | j NJ B { R NJ { \
Federal Trade Commission
Assists; Activities of Man
ufacturers VIII Be
Shown
MASS OF EVIDENCE
AND NO CONCLUSIONS
CHAIRMAN THOMPSON IN LET.
TER OF TRANSMITTAL SAYS
DOCUMENTS ARE MERELY
INFORMATIVE.

Washington, Jan. 1O.--An extensive
investigation into the activities OF
lumber manufacturers through their
national and regional associations is
being made by the department af
justice with the assistance Of the fed
eral trade commission.
This is disclosed today by the com
mittee in connection with the inquiry
being conducted by the senate COM
mittee on housing and reconstruction.
It has been designed to show the
activities Of the manufacturers ard
their attitude towards national lcgis.
lation," amendments to the revenue
laws, elimination Of competitive wocds.
control OF prices and production r.
stricuon OF re-forestaton and other
matters"
The reports contain 4 mass of EVIL
dence said to have passed between
various officials Of several OF the
regional associations relating TO
prices and many other subjects. but
! il contains no conclusions and Chair
man Thompson in his letter Of trans
initial. says the documents submitted
are merely Informative and should
not be regarded as comprehending all
the information with the commission.
! 1t Is set out that the lumber manu-
| facturcrs in the approximately ten
different lumber sections Of the coun-
try have organized regional sections
which have formed the national lum-
Der manufacturers association, with
| headquarters at Chicago.
Each regional association" the re-
port says, complies statistics upon
production market conditions in gen
er1l. sales reports showing actual
prices obtained for lumber and estab-
lished and maintains uniform trading
rules and a uniform cost account
system. Various other activities arc
undertaken to accomplish the pur'
pose Of their organization"
The principal regional association
listed as constituting the national as
ISOLATION are the Southern Pine AS
sociation, West Coast Lumber AS
sociation. Western Pine ManufactuE-
ers Association, northern Hemlocs
and Hardwood Manufacturers Assc-
CATION, Northern Pine Manufacturers
Association, North Carolina Pine AS
sociation. Georgia-Florida Saw MIL
Association, Southern Cypress Asso-
clatlon. Michigan Hardwood Manu-
facturers Association and the Call
fornia Sugar and White Pine Manu-
facturers Association.
The commiss on informs congress
hat the national association has been
very active In legislative and depart
mental affairs which affect this in-
dusry. ut adds that l.. c. Boyle,
X nsas City attorney with head
uuarters In washington" Is employed
to attend such ma ters for the national
assoc alton and that he also repre-
sents many of the regional asSocia-
tons.
The report says tho national associa-
ton appolnted committee on "gov-
crnment relations" the function o.
which was fully outlined" by Mr..
Boyle In a letter dated May S. 1873,
TO Charles Keith, president of tho
Southern Pine Association and one
OF the leading officials OF the national
assoca ton, which the commission
quotes as follows:
"'ro my mind Tho outstanding oppor-
tunlty your committee has to serve
he Industry and also Tho country nj
large, "a to so mobilize lts unhs tsat
they may be In a position 20 more
} nieuuatey defend themselves asa INST
, he destructive tendencies VI the hour.
The result ON be aided by the In
dua ry being kept fully advised
through your commlttee-of govern
mcn,nl activi ies-po,leol. legislative
land dCpartmental--that have FOR their
droct or lndlrcc; object, invasion OF
constitutional guarantees. Due 10 This
character Of information the opera-
ors may be induced to pay less At
,cn,ion TO the political complexion Of
canddaro for office and more atten-
ton to mis- sanding as a bona fdo
American cit scn--one who understands
tha. We live under constitutional
form OF govommem.'
, MY Boyle" says tho commission,
further referred to this committee In
/, letter OF May TO Mr.. Keith. in
which no added: 1T would be unwiso
Ia spread broadcast the plan Of organ-
, ling your committee and this espcc-
tally II ghc organization in to be
, comprehensive OF the industry. because
Of the very magnitude OF she plan
, would challenge attention and arouse
' susoicion."