OCR Text |
Show CHARGE LUMBERMEN WITH REFUSING TO CUTPRjCES Members of Federal Trade Commission Send Report to Calder . WASHINGTON, Feb. 19. Further Information regarding alleged activities activ-ities of the Southern Pine association In maintaining high prices for yellow pine lumber was transmitted by the federal trade commission to Chairman ('aider of the senate committee on housing and reconstruction. It is bis-ed on investigations made by the com-i Trillion at tha request vt the depart nent of justice. The commission charges that In 1319 the association refused to comply com-ply with requests of the federal Industrial In-dustrial board to reduce prices, saying say-ing concertco action would be a violation vio-lation vt the law. FOLLOW SUIT. Ourtrg the same period, the rom-grP rom-grP mission alleges, the fir manufacturer! of the Pacific coast "concertedly raised I their prices In April. 19lf." after the I Southern pine manufatur'raJ)al sunz. I "" " ducted a campaign to siiJjce them to I do so. "When the market showed signs of weakness last .lune and the reception from the abnormally high prices then current began, the mills generally curtailed cur-tailed their production." says the commission. com-mission. "That curtailment haa continued con-tinued to the present. It appears that the downward price tendency has already al-ready been checked as the supply has been brought below demand and that prices have again started upward. DECEIVE PUBLIC. "The Southern pine manufacturers are prominent in a campaign now being be-ing organized to Induce the public to i believe that prices will not and cannot be further reduced owing to the cost j of production. ! "This campaign Is being conducted j tinder the 'auspices of the National I Lumber Manufacturers' association tnd special assessments have been and are being voted by the various affiliated af-filiated regional associations, to raise a lurge fund for the expenses of the campaign." |