The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-27
TARIFF OR NO TARIFF
Chamber of Commerce Agitated
Over Coal and Lumber.
QUESTION AGAIN POSTPONED.
Lively Debate on the Question OF Post
ponement-Merits Of the Csse
Net Discussed.


against the removal of the tariff on coal
imported from foreign countries was the
special order of business AZ the meeting Of
the board of trustees of the Chamber of
Commerce yesterday afternoon. The me-
mortal had been introduced At the previ-
Gus meeting and postponed. in order that
full attendance might be secured. After
considerable lively discussion yesterday
on the subject OF again postponing tho
consideration of the memorial, the merits
Of the question only being incidentally
mentioned, the subject went over until
next Tuesday evening at general meet
ing of the chamber. when all those inter-
ested in the handling of coal and lumber
are invited to be present.
The meeting was more largely attended
than for some time. and quite number
OF tho directors of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Exchange were in attend
ance, although the consolidation of the
two bodies does not go into effect until
next week. The question occurred on
the motion of j. s. Goldsmith that
the whole SUBJECT be laid over in
order TO enable the business men to pre-
pare themselves by the collection of sta
.tistics. etc. Discussion of this question
Gilman, Goldsmith, Gosh. Heilbron,
Macintosh and Boone, and when it was
put TO viva voce vote the chair thought
ii was lost. A standing vote was called
for and resulted in tie. Then roll call
was insisted upon and showed eight votes
in the affirmative and eight in the mega
tive. Just at this point Griffith Davies
came in. and as he voted for postpone
ment the question was carried.
In order to enlarge the original ques-
ton to incIuoe lumber T. w. Prosch in
troduced the followIng.in accordance with
previous notice:
ITO the Honorable Congress of the United
Sdtes-Your petitioners, OF the great state
OF Washington, respectfully protest against
the removal of the duty on lumber, and in
furtherance of this protest make the state
ments following:
The manufacture of lumber is one Of
the great industries of this Coast. The
capital employed in il Is about $50. COO, 600
in amount. There are $40 sawmilis and
404 single mills in the states OF California,
Oregon and Washington. Their output
amounted in 1892 to 2, 300. 600 900 feet of lum-
her and 200 000. 600 shingles, valued at
ST. 0o0 600. This vast product represents
the work OF 5000 men. and the living of
100000 people. The wages aggregated sls.-
000, 900.
british Columbia has an area greater
than the three states combined, and is said
TO have a greater area of timber land. Its
woods are like those of Washington-fir,
cedar, pine, hemlock, etc. Development
of the trade there was long after its devei-
opment here. In fact, in earlier years
lumber was exported To the province
from the state. The industry there has
grown rapidly OF late. as indicated by ev-
ports valued ut 1926, ssh in 1890. at 1874 ,99s
In 1891, at S4L5, 27S in 1892 and at $45i 1914
in 1893. The tables have been turned on
US, and notwithstanding the imposition of
tariff charges OF 81 and upwards per 900
the United States. Last year tls32) i've
vessels carried cargoes from British Co
lumoia mills TO our ports, as follows:
Feet.
American schooner Reporter, to San
British bark Mistletos, to Wilmington 7o,Z75
British bark roboggsn, to Wilmington. .6Sa, s2s
British bark Zebaa Gowdy, to Whining
British bark scammeli Bros., to Pniladei-
phta .sS5,Soi
"Sawlogs to the amount of 600 600 feet
have been brought from the woods OF
British Columbia TO the sawmiiis OF this
state during the year 1898. One of the
features OF the trade in manufactured
lumber, which will apply to coal as well, IS
the use made of British ships. They will
practically monopollze the transportation
between Canadian and American ports.
In the loss of the transportation OF coal
and lumber, occasioned by transfer OF the
trade. severe blow will be administered
20 our ships, and incidentally to the hun
dreds of men sailing them. Our Canadian
neighbors have advantages that enable
them to beat Us in the timber trade. Our
people are obliged TO buy their lands and
are then taxed for them They lease from
the government and pay no tax. In Brit
ish Columbia $50 i22 acres are so leased.
upon which 5000, 0DO 005 feet of timber are
reported TO be standing. The provincial
sa.nills at present have q cutting ca
pacity OF I, 80. 900 feet q day. 1t well
known that wages are lower IN the Do
minion than in the republic, and things
generally cheaper. Adding TO these trans
portation tcheaper in British vessels than
Americana, and, with the duties of. the
provincial lumbermen will have advant-
ages over our. of sufficient moment 10
give them a vast deal OF the trade now
held by US We do not believe that con-
gress wishes 10 assist them, nor do We be-
lieve that such assistance will be given
when its hurtful effect upon our own peo-
pie is stated and understood.