The following action was taken in reference to it: "On motion duly seconded the report was accepted and ordered filed."

The following discussion took place: "R. Hanson said that prices recommended by the committee were being secured in most cases and gave a very optimistic view of the outlook for trade. The sentiments expressed by Mr. Hanson were affirmed by W. W. Mitchell and F. A. Diggins."

An account of the first annual meeting of the Michigan Hardwood Manufacturers' Association, held July 31, appears in the American Lumberman of August 3, 1907, page 56. The following extract is taken from the annual report of President William H. White:

Through the efficient work of our secretary the membership has been kept informed of the market conditions, both as to the class and quality of material, also the market price of such material, with the result, I believe, that the manufacturer has been able more nearly to meet the demands of the trade than ever before, the trade in turn receiving our product at a more nearly uniform market value, which has been as low as the price of timber, labor and articles of consumption generally would warrant, and at a fair and uniform price to the manufacturer. We have thus been able to enjoy throughout the entire year a run of values based entirely upon the actual supply and demand. The activities of the Michigan Maple Co. appear to have diminished after the establishment of the Michigan Hardwood Manufacturers' Association in 1906. References to it in the trade journals became less numerous, and finally, in the Hardwood Record of June 10, 1907, page 56, there is an account of its approaching dissolution, beginning with the statement: "The Michigan Maple Company is closing up its affairs as fast as possible and will go out of business as soon as its stocks are disposed of, which will probably be a matter of three or four months."

The speech, already alluded to, of J. M. Harris at the meeting of the Michigan Hardwood Manufacturers' Association, July 31, 1907, contains the following on the relation of the activities of the Michigan Maple Co. to market prices:

I was more or less closely associated with the organization of the Michigan Maple Company, with which most of you are familiar. It was not organized for the purpose for which you are, yet it accomplished very much along the lines you are working on here, and whatever weakness there was in the old organization I think you have successfully cured in your present one. However, whatever faults this organization may have had, I am impressed with this: In 1901 or 1902 I know maple was seeking a market at $5, $10, and $15 per thousand, and I remember that when the company made the proposition that they would pay $6, $11, and $16, a great many of the manufacturers thought. that could not be accomplished, that the company would be unable to market maple at a profit, and buy it at $6, $11,

and $16. My information now is that the company not only did that, but took the maple off the hands of manufacturers at that price and sold it at an advance which made them a handsome profit.

At the October, 1910, meeting of the association the marketconditions committee made the following statement in regard to maple:

We believe the maple situation to be unusually strong and that much higher prices may be obtained for the better grades of maple than the prices recommended, but we would recommend some caution in advancing prices as it may lead to substitution of inferior and cheaper woods.

There, however, is an unquestionable shortage in the better grades of maple lumber and it is no longer necessary for the manufacturer to sacrifice his good maple. We believe that the matter of production should receive the careful consideration of this Association.

For a discussion of the Michigan Hardwood Manufacturers' Association see pp. 840-844.

Section 11. Extracts from lumber-trade papers relating to maple.

NOTE. The Bureau does not vouch for the truthfulness of the statements appearing in the extracts from the lumber-trade papers. Extracts have been taken from many of the leading trade journals. Not only have several trade papers been used, but news items from various cities have been selected. The fact that several different trade papers give an account of an action of some association, and that the news items from various cities will refer to the action and for several weeks or months will comment on its effect, adds to the credibility of the extracts.

1898.

Chicago New York Lumber Trade Journal, July 1, 1898, page 10.-The Maple Flooring Association, at its recent meeting in Chicago, advanced prices $1 per thousand on all grades. This took effect Monday, June 20, and all sales now made are based on those figures.

1899.

Chicago-American Lumberman, February 25, 1899, page 18.-[Meeting of the maple flooring manufacturers held in Chicago, February 16 and 17, 1899.] The ensuing discussion was on distinctly conservative lines and resulted in a revision of the list with reference to freight and other considerations covering advances at from 50 cents to $1 a thousand feet. [The list is effective February 20, 1899.]

Boston-American Lumberman, July 29, 1899, page 35.-Maple flooring has no fluctuations to speak of agreement prices being very generally maintained.

Boston-New York Lumber Trade Journal, November 1, 1899, page 16.-Maple flooring was advanced on the 15th instant $2 per thousand feet.

Philadelphia-New York Lumber Trade Journal, November 1, 1899, page 17.-Maple flooring prices have been advanced by the association now, 2-inch No. 1, $32; No. 21, $34; 31, $32.50.

Boston-American Lumberman, December 23, 1899, page 37.-Maple flooring is still held up and sells easily and quietly at agreement prices.

1900.

Boston-American Lumberman, March 5, 1900, page 47.-Maple flooring is sold steadily and in good volume at the association prices and no recessions from these prices are reported.

Boston-American Lumberman, March 31, 1900, page 36.-Maple flooring runs along in the groove set by the association and is fairly firm at those prices.

Boston-American Lumberman, April 14, 1900, page 40.-Maple is about steady at the agreement prices with orders in comfortable volume for the season of the year and no disposition manifest to either lower or raise prices.

1901.

Chicago-American Lumberman, January 19, 1901, page 28.-The third annual meeting of the Maple Flooring Manufacturers' Association was held at the Victoria Hotel, Chicago, on Wednesday of this week with a very large attendance. Twenty-six of the twenty-nine firms and companies comprising the membership of the association being represented.

Philadelphia-New York Lumber Trade Journal, February 1, 1901, page 26.-Prices remain at the same figure, excepting in maple flooring. The association has notched up No. 1 3-inch 50 cents, and factory 3-inch $1 per inch.

Boston-American Lumberman, April 27, 1901, page 44.-Maple is moving quietly with no great fluctuations. The flooring men are stiff and firm at the association prices and make such inrcads upon the maple stock that pronounced fluctuations are rendered almost impossible in the lumber as a whole. Chicago-American Lumberman, May 4, 1901, page 42.-Maple flooring prices have recently been advanced and the demand in that line is reported first-class, there being a prevailing scarcity of firsts and seconds. Chicago-American Lumberman, May 18, 1901, page 38.-The demand for maple does not appear as yet to have increased sufficiently to favorably affect values which are inclined to be weak. Michigan manufacturers are maintaining a firm front on the basis of their uniform quotations.

Grand Rapids-American Lumberman, May 25, 1901, page 40.-The Maple Flooring Manufacturers' Association held a two days' session at the Morton House, Grand Rapids, during the past week, with 26 members in attendance, including President W. M. Dwight, of Detroit, and secretary B. H. Cook, of Petoskey. Several new applications for membership were acted upon favorably so that the association now represents 95 per cent of the maple flooring manufacturers of the United States.

Chicago-American Lumberman, June 15, 1901, page 35.-The efforts being made by manufacturers of Michigan maple to unify their interests is likely to be productive of results, which may be reflected in better prices later on. Nothing definite has been accomplished thus far, however, and meanwhile all kinds of prices are reported, from $5 to $7 for culls, $10 to $12 for common, and $15 to $17 for firsts and seconds. Boston-American Lumberman, June 22, 1901, page 45.-Maple is in the dumps with lists coming in with various cuts in price. In flooring the manufacturers are making a vigorous effort to keep prices up to the list with good success.

Boston-American Lumberman, June 29, 1901, page 38.-Maple flooring is inclined to be a little flat, although manufacturers are making every effort, with some degree of success, to hold together on the price.

American Lumberman, July 20, 1901, page 16.-When the Michigan Maple Manufacturers saw the drift of the maple market a year ago, they wisely adopted the policy of radically restricting their output of thick stock last winter and it is estimated that the cut of the past season at Michigan mills was not over 10 per cent of that of the year preceding, though a large proportion of the stocks carried over from last year were and still are on hand, being chiefly owned by wholesalers in this and other distributing markets.

Boston-American Lumberman, September 14, 1901, page 46.-Maple flooring is in very satisfactory condition, salesmen finding no difficulty in placing their stock at list prices and finding a continual active demand although not a clamorous one.

Boston-American Lumberman, October 26, 1901, page 41.-Maple is moving in a fairly normal sort of way with no particular excitement, although the flooring men are holding it firm to the list prices and obtaining them.

Chicago-American Lumberman, October 26, 1901, page 40.-Maple has shown little strength, but with the organization of the manufacturers, which places them in control of practically the entire Michigan output, there need no longer be any hesitation among buyers of maple to take it on at present prices. It is now more than likely that the $5, $10 and $15 figure will not again be heard of for some time at least. Grand Rapids-American Lumberman, October 26, 1901, page 28.-At the Morton house in this city yesterday was held a meeting of maple lumber manufacturers, a report in regard to which in a daily paper is prefaced by the statement that the hardwood lumber manufacturers of Michigan have organized a combine, including all the manufacturers in the state, to handle the annual output to the best advantage to the producer. While all of those represented were hardwood manufacturers, they were there by virtue of their prominence as maple producers, and the organization which was decided upon will be in the interest of that wood especially. Those familiar with the hardwood business know that for a long time maple lumber has been in a depressed condition, seldom commanding the prices warranted by those obtaining for other and competitive woods.

For several months leading members of the maple industry have been considering plans for some organization to remedy this matter, which would lessen the cost of handling the product, might be able to exert some restraining influence upon production in times of light demand and to steady the market. The outcome of the meeting yesterday was a decision to organize a company with a capital stock of $250,000 to contract or buy outright the product of mills, and over 50 per cent of the above capital was subscribed at the meeting.

An annual output of 107,000,000 feet of maple lumber was represented by the twenty-eight Michigan concerns in attendance.

Boston-American Lumberman, November 2, 1901, page 38.-The [maple] flooring men are monopolizing the center of the stage and holding firm. They seem to have gotten this product about where they want it and concessions are impossible, for by one and all the full list price is held to.

Boston-American Lumberman, November 9, 1901, page 44.-Maple is moving quietly with an amount of business sufficient to keep the salesmen from getting rusty, while maple flooring is hard and fast at association prices with no hint of concessions from any quarter. There is perhaps no class of lumber in the market which seems to be bottled up tighter in the hands of the owners than this maple flooring. Boston-American Lumberman, November 30, 1901, page 38.-Maple is reasonably strong on 1-inch, 11, and 2-inch, which brings $28 and $29, but it is reported weaker on the thicker stock, 3 and 4 inch bringing $31. Flooring is exceptionally strong and in good request, with the association holding with bulldog tenacity to its prices and the rules governing commissions, etc.

1902.

Boston-Southern Lumberman, January 15, 1902, page 18.-There is a rumor abroad that efforts are being made to control the output and prices of maple. The story comes from Michigan.

Buffalo-Southern Lumberman, January 15, 1902.-There is much interest in the effort to combine Michigan maple interests and see if this sort of lumber can not be made to pay a profit in future. Another meeting is to be held soon at Grand Rapids to complete the arrangement. William H. White, who was down lately from Boyne City, Mich., speaks of the venture as already a success.

Boston-American Lumberman, January 25, 1902, page 46.-Maple flooring is as steady as a clock at the highest range of figures yet advanced by the flooring association.

Buffalo-American Lumberman, January 25, 1902, page 46.-Some dealers are turning their inch maple mostly into flooring and find it a good seller; besides they can in this way work off all their low grade. New York-New York Lumber Trade Journal, February 1, 1902, page 22.-On January 21 maple flooring was advanced by the Maple Flooring Manufacturers' Association $1 on clear, $2 on common, and $1 on

factory; same to take effect immediately, the advance applying to the various markets in the eastern territory.

Chicago-American Lumberman, February 1, 1902, page 53.-Maple has not shown any great animation of late, but the new manufacturers' association promises advanced prices the coming spring. Maple flooring has recently been advanced $1 on firsts and seconds, $2 on common, and $1 on factory. American Lumberman, February 8, 1902, page 11.-For some time the leading manufacturers of maple flooring have had an association which has been of great advantage to that industry. These manufacturers are much scattered, had lacked any unity of methods, and had no common basis of information, but their association remedied all this with effects which are recognized everywhere maple flooring is sold and used. Prices have been bettered and have been made substantially uniform. The rough lumber, however, has always been comparatively in poor shape. * **Comparatively few of the maple lumber producers have made anything out of their business, and the importance of putting the rough lumber in substantially the same position as the flooring part of the finished product has long been recognized. There has been a hardwood association in Michigan, but it did not solve the maple problem. Finally, however, plans were taken up last year in earnest that resulted in the organization of the Michigan Maple Co., which has its office in the Michigan Trust Building, Grand Rapids, and has now begun business. Its members are the leading mills of Michigan and it is estimated to control 85 per cent of the maple product of

the State. * * *

The company will handle the entire product of the mills of its members, and. with its ample capital, will be in position not only to enter the market to advantage but to buy outside products, if desirable. Selling in this way, through one agency, the mills will save a large expense, and prices can be maintained more uniformly. It is not the intention of the company to advance prices to any great extent, and it will especially avoid antagonizing anyone. We understand that it purposes to sell to the trade and to the very heavy consumers, leaving dealers to supply their ordinary trade. Thus it will not enter into competition with those to whom its members have heretofore sold their product, and, in fact, the dealers will probably have a wider field of distribution than heretofore.

Chicago-American Lumberman, February 15, 1902, page 55.-Maple is toning up finely since the new manufacturers' company was organized.

Chicago-American Lumberman, March 1, 1902, page 45.-Maple has responded to some extent to the new forces that are at work in that industry and little can be obtained now at less than an advance of $1 to $1.50 over last fall's prices.

Boston-American Lumberman, March 22, 1902,

and strong at association prices, with a lively den, page 46.-Maple, particularly maple flooring, is steady

and none too much to fill it.

Chicago-American Lumberman, March 22, 1902, page 45.-Inch maple has improved in price as a result of the organization of the Michigan manufacturers, and there is very little stock obtainable at less than association values.

Boston-American Lumberman, April 5, 1902, page 46.—Maple flooring, however, is in an ideal condition; the demand is good at list prices and in some cases a trifle more. The association is holding strong and solid and experiencing no difficulty in getting the full schedule; 24-inch face brings $35.

Buffalo-American Lumberman, April 12, 1902, page 51.-Practically nothing else is advancing but maple which is still a low-priced wood. The Michigan combine is given credit for the improvement which is only

a dollar or two.

Chicago-American Lumberman, April 19, 1902, page 52.-Maple is steady and numerous sales are reported at the recently advanced quotations of the Michigan association. Thick maple is coming up in demand and is also improving in price.

Buffalo-American Lumberman, May 17, 1902, page 47.-There are still reports of maple selling low in spite of the combine to put it up.

Boston-American Lumberman, May 17, 1902, page 47.-The maple flooring people are not only holding their own prices stiff and strong with some recent advances to this market, but they have the effect of stiffening the market for maple lumber.

Chicago-American Lumberman, May 24, 1902, page 71.-Maple flooring has advanced $2 a thousand, and this should prove a good stimulus to the values of rough stock. Thick maple is advancing and may now be safely quoted at $5 above the prices ruling last summer, stocks being in the hands of strong holders. Boston-American Lumberman, June 14, 1902, page 54.-Maple flooring shows some signs of surreptitious cutting and some cuts are rather deep at that. It is said to be done by some members of the association or their representatives in this market.

Boston-American Lumberman, June 21, 1902, page 50.-The maple flooring quotations are reported at the old price and no sales so far as can be unearthed at the last rise. Judged by the price list now in vogue, therefore, the price which is actually obtained may be said to be $2 below the list.

Boston-American Lumberman, June 28, 1902, page 49.-Maple moves rather quietly with no change in price. This refers more particularly to the lumber, for there seems to be a strong disposition on the part of flooring men to move stock at the expense of the price list. There are few sales reported at the full price list while rumors of concessions are very rife.

Chicago-American Lumberman, July 5, 1902, page 49.-Maple has again been advanced in price, and the ast quotations made by Michigan manufacturers, based at Lake shipping points, on 1sts and 2nds common Ind cull, were as follows: One-inch, $20, $14 and $8; 2-inch, $22, $16 and $10; 3-inch, $24, $18 and $12; 4-inch, 25, $19 and $13; adding $2 for delivery in Chicago it can be seen that prices have advanced from 25 to 33% an the past six months.

Boston-American Lumberman, July 5, 1902, page 49.-Maple is quiet, though not very weak, except as signs of cutting appear in the flooring end of the maple business.

Buffalo-American Lumberman, July 5, 1902, page 49.-Maple is as plentiful as ever, with prices somewhat stiffened by the combine in Michigan, but there is not much real firmness in that wood as compared with most of the others.

Boston-American Lumberman, July 12, 1902, page 51.-Maple flooring is reported off in price, with rumors of cutting constantly confirmed.

New York-American Lumberman, July 19, 1902, page 55.-Prices in the main are firm and the recent advance in maple flooring will have no tendency to curtail the demand in any way.

Chicago-American Lumberman, July 19, 1902, page 54.-Those who handle maple say that the recent prices adopted by the Michigan Association are being adhered to firmly and that no maple of consequence can be bought at less than the Michigan prices, which are based on $20 for firsts and seconds inch, $14 for common, and $8 for cull.

Boston-American Lumberman, August 23, 1902, page 47.-Thick maple is scarce at $33, but inch is druggy at $28. But few orders for maple flooring have been going west as the northern mills seem to be able to take care of the demand and sales at the new list are few and far between.

Boston-American Lumberman, November 1, 1902, page 78.-Maple moves quietly at $28 with only indifferent buying. * * *Maple flooring is in a sort of a transition period pending the success of the latest endeavors of the association to get together and stay together.

Boston-American Lumberman, December 6, 1902, page 52.-Maple moves slowly at $28 for No. 1 and $33 for the 2-inch; the demand is only from hand to mouth There are some rumors of price cutting in maple flooring, although as a whole prices are held fairly firm.

1903.

Boston-American Lumberman, January 10, 1903, page 51.-The situation in maple flooring is far from satisfactory. It is claimed that there are few sales at the list and that mills outside the association are securing all the orders.

Boston-American Lumberman, February 7, 1903, page 53.-The weakest spot in the whole market is maple flooring as the price cutting which was confined to a few firms has now become general. Buffalo-American Lumberman, February 7, 1903, page 53.-It is probable that most Michigan hardwoods can be shaded but the maple combine is holding its prices very firm.

Boston-American Lumberman, February 21, 1903, page 57.-Maple flooring has gone to pieces and it is impossible to quote current prices as they vary so much.

New York-American Lumberman, February 21, 1903, page 57.-Maple flooring is selling away under list prices, but it is thought that the association will shortly take action that will remedy this. Boston-American Lumberman, June 27, 1903, page 58d.-Maple sells in the neighborhood of $30. The maple flooring mills are trying hard to restore the list but price cutting is still rife.

Chicago American Lumberman, July 11, 1903, page 51.-Maple is said to be in good request at previous quotations based on $22, $15 and $9 for firsts and seconds, common and cull, respectively, f. o. b. Lake ports. Maple flooring is not as weak here as it has been reported in some of the eastern markets, a Chicago manufacturer stating that he sold this week 700,000 feet of firsts and seconds, clear maple flooring at full list price, which is good evidence that the market is far from going to pieces as had been asserted. Boston American Lumberman, July 25, 1903, page 64.-Prices on maple flooring have not advanced in spite of the organized effort to raise them.

Chicago-American Lumberman, August 1, 1903, page 53.-Maple flooring is selling in excellent volume with several of the manufacturers and prices are being shaded from $1 to $3.

Buffalo-American Lumberman, August 29, 1903, page 62.-Maple is running up in price and will soon be one of the expensive woods. It brings $22.50 in Michigan, and report comes in that the Michigan Maple Co. is turning down all orders having sold so far ahead.

Boston-American Lumberman, October 17, 1903, page 60.-Maple flooring still continues weak with concessions from the list and sharp competition on large orders.

1904.

American Lumberman, January 30, 1904, page 50.-The 7th annual meeting of the Maple Flooring Mfrs. Assn. was held at the Victoria Hotel in this city [Chicago], on Tuesday last, Jan. 24, 1904.

The flooring men reported that there were no stocks of dry maple on hand at lumber manufacturing points and stocks in the hands of the flooring manufacturers were about normal with prices well maintained. ✶✶✶ The question of prices was taken up but no changes were recommended to be made in

the list.

Buffalo-American Lumberman, April 16, 1904, page 65.-Maple flooring manufacturers still complain of light prices and jobbers agree that they can buy flooring in some instances at about $5 off the list price.

Chicago-American Lumberman, July 23, 1904, page 51.-Maple is being held firmly by Michigan manufacturers, while maple flooring is being sold at a price that can leave little or no margin for the manufacturer.

Boston-American Lumberman, September 3, 1904, page 58.-It is generally understood that on September 1 the price of maple flooring will be advanced from $34.50 to $35.50 on 24-inch face.

Boston-American Lumberman, September 10, 1904, page 61.-As anticipated, the price of maple flooring has been advanced by a number of manufacturers, the advance varying from 50 cents to $1 on upper grades.

Boston-American Lumberman, October 29, 1904, page 56.-A strong effort is being made to advance the prices of maple flooring, for which some wholesale houses are asking $1 over last week's prices, but up to present writing no sales have been reported at that figure.

Boston-American Lumberman, November 12, 1904, page 56.-The trade is beginning to pay the advance in the price of maple flooring, which has moved up 50 cents to $1 higher than during last month.

1905.

Boston-American Lumberman, February 4, 1905, page 70.-Rough maple inch ones and twos still holds to $32 to $33, although last week maple flooring lists were withdrawn and a new list issued at a general advance of $3 on high grade items.

Chicago-American Lumberman, February 11, 1905, page 64.-Prices on Michigan maple are much steadier while maple flooring is selling briskly at the advanced quotations.

Boston-American Lumberman, July 22, 1905.-Maple flooring is almost without exception holding close to the list.

Boston-American Lumberman, September 2, 1905.-Rough maple inch ones and twos holds at $32.50 and clear face maple flooring prices are well sustained at list basis of $37.50.

Bay City and Saginaw-American Lumberman, September 16, 1905, page 44.-The Michigan Maple Company has advanced the price of No. 1 and No. 2 common all thicknesses $1 a thousand, and while the company does not take in the Saginaw Valley operators it includes the Loud & Sons Company at Au Sable and firms at Alpena and the strength affects this market.

Philadelphia-American Lumberman, September 16, 1905, page 66.-Maple flooring has advanced $1.50 on clear and No. 1 and 50 cents and $1 on factory, effective September 8.

Philadelphia-American Lumberman, September 23, 1905.-Maple flooring does not seem to be holding the recent raise and a good deal is sold at former prices.

Boston-American Lumberman, September 23, 1905.-Maple flooring has advanced $1.50 on the clear, making the price of 24 inch $39. No. 1 factory has been advanced $1.

Philadelphia American Lumberman, September 30, 1905, page 53. All the advances made in price recently are holding well, except that in maple flooring, which seems not to have been warranted.

Chicago-American Lumberman, September 30, 1905.-Michigan maple is firm and its principal product, maple flooring, is held steady at the recent advance.

North Tonawanda-American Lumberman, October 7, 1905.-Dealers have been notified of an advance of $1 on Nos. 1 and 2 common maple. It has not gone into effect and demand is considered hardly strong enough to warrant the increase.

Boston-American Lumberman, December 9, 1905, page 68.-Maple flooring is not so firmly held but the list price of $39 for 24-inch face clear still stands.

Pittsburgh-American Lumberman, December 23, 1905, page 41.--Maple flooring is becoming more sought for in spite of the advance in list ordered by the manufacturers.