Year: 1874

~
ago on the lumber interests in this
State, several facts were broadly stated
concerning the present and prospective
condition Of the trade here as well rs
elswherc. In that article the only
true way of changing the business as
pect from its present feariully demor-
allied condition was pointed out. The
immediate stoppage Of production on
the part of the manufacturers and lum-
bcrnen generally was earnestly coun-
selled, and the ruinous effects Of over
production squarely commented on.---
That the counsel then given was both
correct and judiclous, the following self.
explanatory resolutions adopted ut q
convention of


SOUTHERN LuNBERMKS,


since heldin voifofls, va, WIN nlnn<l-
antly prove;


Resoired, That, in view of the fact
that yellow-pine lumber cannot be sold
at present except at ruinous prices,
owing to the fact that supply greatly
in excess of the demand has been and
still is being shipped TO market with
instructions to sell and the price left
to the discretion OF the commission
merchant, it is therefore the sense of
this convention that shipments should
hereafter be made sparingly, until such
time as there shall be increased de
mand, and manufacturers now having
lumber in market awaiting sale or
shipping hereafter, instruct their com
mission merchants TO make no sale Of
yellow-pine lumber until il can be sold
at a price affording living profit.


Resolued, That the chairman of this
convention appoint committee of
three, whose duty it shall be to care
fully prepare a plan, with suitable con
stitution and bylaws, for the organiza-
ton of the yellow-pine manufacturers
into permanent association for the
protection of that interest, to report at
an adjourned meeting of this conven-
ton, to be held in Norfolk on the Sd
of September, 1874.


Resolred, That the chairman appoint
a committee of three to prepare a suit
able circular, embracing the objects of
the adjourned meeting of this conven-
ton, with statistics showing the pres
ent condition of the lumber market,
and direct one to every manufacturer
of yellow-pine lumber in Virginia,
North Carolina, and Maryland, asking
their attendance and cooperation at
the adjourned meeting.


Resoiued, That wo earnestly recon-
mend to manufacturers to reduce their
production of lumber as rapidly as
practicable, in view of the great excess
of the supply over the demand now in
the market.


1t is necessary to state, in cxplana-
ton of the adjournment referred TO,
that its object was that there might
be a larger representation from Mary
land, the James and York river dis
tricts, the different railroads of Virginia
and North Carolina, Wilmington, and
other points, all of which together re
present a production Of more than one
million feet of yellow-pIne lumber daily


At the late


GREAT LUMBER CONVENTION


held in Williamsport, composed of the
wealtbiest and most influential manu-
facturers and operators throughout the
entire country, this subject was earnest
ly and seriously discussed There can
be no question but that prompt and
decisive action would then have been
taken on the matter, were it not that
other and more important topics, at
that date, were TO be taken into con
sideration and decided. No doubt the
reciprocity treaty, and the
formation Of rules for the uniform in
spcction, measurmcnt, and classifioa-
tion Of lumber, were matters vital to
the trade, and bearing squarely and
on its interests. Still, in the
face of the


ALMOST INEVITABLE BANKRUPTCY
that is now, and was then, impending
over the Southern and not few East
ern manufacturers, one would think
that something should have been done
to counteract the growing evil. II is
surely not yet to be learned that 'un
ounce of prevention is better than
pound Of curer'


So widespread has the alarm on this
subject now become that we find deal
ers and operators in square timber in
Clcarfeld and several adjoining coun-
ties in this State issuing call for
to be held on the 18th in
slant, TO discuss the matter in its vari-
GUS bearings. The call in question in
vites all @who are interested in the
most important industry of our coun-
ty to meet at Clearfeld, August Is,
1874, at two o'clock P. NJ, to consider
what is best for the


INTEREST OF THE TRADE
that such measures may be adopted as
TO reduce the stock of timber the COM
ing season to the actual wants of the
market next spring. We cordially in
vite all to meet with us, 10 give their
presence and their counsel, so that we
may inaugurate and faithfully execute
some plan that will protect our inter
csts as well as those Of our customers
IN the East, from ruinous sacrifice,
which must result in the event of put |
Ting the usual stock of timber on the
market next season. Amongst the
signatures appended to the call are
found some Of the heaviest dealers and
operators in the square timber business
On the West Branch ofthe Susquehanna.
II is more than probable that the pro
posed convention will result in the |
Of 't' s'ni f. /
A LUMBER EXCHANGE
At Clearfeld, as there Is the feeling
that an organization which will secure
unity of action and a safe basis for bust
ness is much needed. t.rI !


The Boston .i,umber Trade, an ac-
knowledged authority on all matters
with tho business, also falls
INTO line with us on the question Of
)ver-production, as will be seen from
he following extract;


The opinion is fast gaining ground
hat the manufacture of lumber must
cease, for n time at least or the profits
IF the business will difficult TO reckon.
From every lumber market comes the
same report--too great supply. And
We believe that the depression in the |
Imdc is not so much the lack of de-
nand as il is this surplus Of manuiac-
lure, By curtailment Of the supply |
,lone can the trade be relieved. Deal
,rs are almost unanimous in pronounc-
ng the market dull, but one dealer
iaid TO US in conversation, "the trouble
q tho business has been over-stimu-
ated il has bcen running on the high
principlp and until all recop- l