Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-09-15
The Free Lumber Fallacy Thoroughly
Refuted.

The Cleveandites in defending the oper-
alton of the Mills bill on the lumber in
terest. of this country, and especially az
to what would be its effect on the consum
ers of lumber, have constantly maintained
that it would be generally beneficial. The
recent report of Consul Thos. H. IIotch-
kiss of Ottawa Valley does not confirm
the truth of the Democratic theory. The
Clevelandite organs and orators have en-
phatically urged that the effect of free
lumber would be to cheaper construction
and render it much easier for workingmen
and all those of moderate means to build
houses and own their homes. But Con-
sul HotChkiss tells US that the volume of
pine lumber exported to the United States
from Canada is "too insignificant to have
any influence In the making of the prices"
In this country. Nor is this all; but Mr..
Hotchkiss takes direct issue with the Mills
bill and its advocates, in this trenchsnt
fashion:
IL think am warranted in presupposing
that the desired object TO be attained in the
remission of the duty on lumber is an autici-
pated benefit to the American consumer at
large, both by cheapening the market price
now. as well as tending TO prolong the exist
ence of the American forests by the substtu-
ton of Canadian lumber and logs-the oul-'
other country which has white pine lumber.
viii the remission of the 80 duty have the
desired effect2 think not, and will give
my reasons for the conclusion that no appre
ciable benefit will transpire to the American
consumer and why and how the advantage
will accrue to the Canadians"
These reasons are based upon n careful
aud interesting comparison of the timber
management of the two countries, which
Mr.. Hotchkiss proceeds to make, and
which leads him TO this conclusion.
There is no dispute that the American
manufacturer controls the making of prices.
In doing this he is not influenced by the
Canadian supply in any degree. If the duty
Of 50 is removed it will not affect the Ameri-
can price, because 1t has never been a factor
and will still be unfelt. No lower price will
prevail in the United States than heretofore,
and no different net results will be expe-
rienced by the manufacturer.
The Canadian, on the contrary, will lay his
lumber down in the American market at So
less per thousand, and will obtain for it the
same as the American does. SO that the net
result TO the Canadian manufacturer will be
a clear gain eff the 81 which the American
Government has remitted."
This additional net result to the Cana
dian manufacturer, Mr.. Hotchkiss argues,
will be of brief duration, as an increase
In annual and timber dues would be speed
lily made by an order in council, in sums
sufficient to absorb the 81 per thousand
into the provincial treasures. The real
gamer by the "free lumber" policy of the
Mills bill, therefore, would not be the
American consumer of lumber; nor even
for any considerable time, the Canadian
producer, but the Canadian Government.
1t would be hard TO conceive of a more
dense and fiat witted policy than this of
striking blow at au important American
industry, with no compromising advantage
to other Ameii an in lustrics, but for the
benefit either of Canadian producers or
the Canadian Government. Consul Holch-
ave years active experience in the lumber
business in Canada and the United States.
1t Is very evident that the spirit of the
National Administration and the emissa-
ries of the Golden Club did not see the
proof sheets of the official document
which casts such discredit on the theory
and pretenses of the supporters of the
Mills bill. The facts aud conclusions of
this consular report have been so oft an IL
lustrated and corroborated by past ex-
perience that 1t hardly seems necessary TO
re-state them. Yet in truth they need to
be repeated constantly to refute the cease
less false reasonings of the Free Traders
and the Bourbon politicians.