604 Forestry Quarterly 



successfully control supply and by this means regulate prices, 

 should be able to dominate at least 50% of the cut of that particiilar 

 species. A comparison of the sales of the members of the Yellow 

 Pine Manufacturers' Association with the total cut of southern 

 yellow pine for the years 1907-1912 inclusive, shows that in 1907 

 the cut of the association represented 27.8% of the total cut of 

 southern YeUow pine; in 1908, 31%; in 1909, 23.2%; in 1910, 

 29.5%; in 1911, 35.4%; in 1912, 36%. It is certainly impossible 

 for any organization representing from 23 to 36% of the cut of a 

 single species to dictate prices. As a matter of fact, during the 

 last few years when the association membership has represented 

 a greater per cent of the cut than at any previous time, there has 

 been less discussion of and less cooperation in curtailment of cut 

 than at any other period. 



It would be commercial suicide for yellow pine mantifacturers 

 to attempt to boost, by artificial means, the price of lumber, 

 since such actions would only increase the chances for cheaper 

 competitive woods of the Pacific Coast, which would flood the 

 yeUow pine territory and automatically lower the price of yellow 

 pine to a level probably below what it otherwise woiild have 

 been. 



The statement "that the standardization of grades is the first 

 step to price fixing" seems a most puerile condemnation of one of 

 the most useful phases of association work. The Forest Service 

 for some years has devoted much time and energy to the encourage- 

 ment and development of grading rules, because they are a vital 

 part of the wise use of the products of the forest. It is incon- 

 ceivable that any department should take the stand, at least by 

 inference, that such activities in any way are a detriment to the 

 public interest. 



The volume contains many extracts for lumber trade journals 

 bearing on the control of output and prices; correspondence 

 between association secretaries and others; price lists of limiber 

 and graphic representations showing the movement of prices for 

 specific grades of lumber diiring a period of years. 



The general field covered is as follows : Introduction, Co-opera- 

 tion among manufacttu-ers' associations. Southern Yellow pine, 

 Douglas Fir, White and "Northern" pine, hemlock, spruce, 

 shingles, hardwoods. 



It is greatly to be regretted that the report has been prepared 



