The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-22
ON FREE LUMBER.
The Opinions of Local
Dealers.
WILL RUIN THE INDUSTRY.
Extent of Lumber Interests in
the Northwest.
RESULT OF UNEVEN COMPETITION
Will American Woodsmen Work
for the Same Wages as
Canadian IndiansP

There was considerable uneasiness man.
ifes;ed in lumber circles yesterday as a
result of inform alton received from Wash
iugton to the effect that the Senate had
decided to put logs aud all forms of lumber
on the free list.
The announcement came as somewhat
of a surprise, as it was generally under
stood that Congress intended legslating in
favor of this great industry which involves
not only the Pacific Coast but nearly every
State in the Union.
Inc blow has come, however, and the
lumber manufacturers of the Pacific. with
the accumulaiions of a lifetime in the
balance and struggling against tbs disas-
trous effects of Overproduction and conse-
quent competition of late years, can view
with apathy the further jeopardy threat
ened by the intimated action OF Congress,
which, IL brought into effect, will cripple
he Industry more than any other cause.
The fact that the lumber trade of the
United States represents a larger invest
meDt and affords labor to a greater num-
Der OF employees than any other single in
dustry is not generally known, although
cOro bOratioD of this may be had in review
ing the last trade statistics. On this coast
alone the ratio of both invested capital
and employees as applied to volume of bust
ness Is far beyond that of other sections,
while in the new Northwest no other in
dustry not its outgrowth except coal,
exists, giving employment to hundreds of
thousands, making populous many magaih-
cent cities on the shores OF Puget Sound,
and stimulating Industry and commerce
which would otherwise remain dormant.
a number of leading manufacturers were
seen yesterday, and all seemed to be of the
same turn of mind regarding the disas-
treuS effects OF the threatened measures.
The manager of company extensively
operating on Puget Sound was emphatic
In his denunclatiOn of the proposed legis-
lauon, which. be clalmei, was brought
about by unfair inhuence as a result of a
fOOhardy platform.
He said that the American lumber mar
ket had deprecated during the past four
years TO such an extent that at present the
cost OF production in many cases is much
higher than the price offered.
Z. NJ. Herrick. president OF the Pacific
Pine Lumber Company, has been working
in the interest of the industry Oh this
coast as regards legislation for some time
pasr, having acted as guide and informant
of the Congressional committee which Wis
tied this coast last year with a view Of
looking into the lumber interests.
When seen yesterday he talked freely of
the matter. expressing a marked feeling OF
gress.
he attributed the present depressed con-
dition of affairs in the industry mainly TO
competition from British Colum bia. He
said that American timber lands in the
Northwest could not be used for less than
81 80 per acre, either by stumpage or out
right purchase. while in the British pos
sessions lands producing the same tim Der
were rented from the Government as low
as 40 cents per annum. The Canadian
wages of choppers, miilbands, etc, are all
the way from 10 10 80 per cent lower than
those paid in this country, thus causing a
double competition which would be hard
to overcome.
In regard to the price of freight, be said
that there WAS no difference whatever in
cargo charges to any point from the North
west bu: awning to the advantages ex-
tended British competitors in other
branches they were easily enabled to land
lumber at any American port as cheap, If
not cheaper, than American producers, in
GLIDING the payment of the present
tariff charges, which is at present 81 per
1000 on rough, 81 so on one side dressed
and 81 on fully dressed lumber.
Mr. Herrick said that in case the pro-
posed free measures are adopted by Con-
gress the only way that the American in
dustry could pc continued would be TO re-
ducs wages on level with those paid to
Canad an Indians, or leave it 60 to Eng
land to supply the world with what prop
erly belongs 10 this country.
1t was found necessary last fall to re-
duce the wages being paid American
woOdsmen about 10 per cent, and another
such falling off would place the compensa-
ton at such low figure that no one would
accept the offer, aside from Cinnamon, and
then the crash would be felt throughout
the land.