The record-union., 1896-08-25
Weather Forecast.
Northern California-Fair Tuesday;
fresh northwest winds.
A MATTER OF SERIOUS CHAR
ACTER.

We believe that it is not denied that
Mr.. Bryan is a free trade advocate, or at
least that he is low tariff man, and
is opposed to the protective policy. The
Republican Campaign Committee, say
the dispatches, is now engaged in col
lecting Mr.. Bryan's expressions while in
Congress against protection. This is
perfectly fair and legitimate campaign
work; it will emphasize the tariff issue
and drive the supporters of Bryan from
the hiding they have made behind free
silver coinage as the only issue.
What will Mr.. Bryan's party, or two
parties, say to the great lumber inter
ests of the country for instance, and
what to the wool growing interests, and
the industries related to each2 Both of
these have received body blows by the
policy Mr.. Bryan adheres to. On this
coast the effects have been distinctly
felt in both wool and lumber.
The Humboldt Standard" edited by
an old line Democrat who is now for
Mckinley and Hobart, says that the
Buckley Lumber Company of Wash
ington is asking for return to the protec-
tion policy to which the Republican
party stands pledged, and gives it's rea-
sons as follows:
During the season of 1892 we ran
very little, for the reason that there was
no demand for our output. Last season
was the first that we have not run stead
ily.
We think the old rate in the tariff
Act of 1890 would be Of greater benefit
10 US than any other rate, for the reason
that specific duty is preferable on
lumber, as there would in that event be
no object to undervalue cargoes. Our
reason for asking a duty on lumber is
that we are compelled to sell our pro-
ducts in competition with lumber man
ufacturers in British Columbia, who
employ Chinese labor at less than one
half what we have TO pay white labor
IN many places about the mill and log
ging camps a Chinaman will do as well
as a white man, and in the planning mill
department they viii do even better By
employing Chinese, lumber can be pro-
duced from 81 to 81 90 per 900 cheaper
than with white labor for rough lumber,
and from 81 to So per 1000 cheaper for
dressed lumber.
The cost Of manufacturing lumber in
Washington is 73 per cent of the entire
cost of the output This represents the
wages paid. IF the product is reduced
in value 10 per cent. by taking the duty
of that viii reduce the wages paid
laboring men TO that extent. Common
laborers. who now get 81 75 a day.
would then have to work for 81 So
Now If these are facts, and as yet they
are unchanenged, what will the Bryan
ties with their denial of protection to
lumber interests say In the face of the
official report just made to the Depart
ment Of the Interior that the lumber
supply of the United States is more than
ample for our uses for the next one
hundred and fifty years. and that the
only menace toits tsinexhaustibility, under
the supervision now exercised over
forest interests. is the destruction of
young timber in the Telling of trees
This, says the department, is to have
the immediate concern of the officials of
the Federal and State Governments. In
California 1t has already had legislative
attention.
VIII Mr.. Bryan's two parties in sup
port of his position against lumber, say
to the American worker In the lumber
regions. get out or accept Chinese
wages7"
The Standard" quotes an unnamed
large lumber firm as saying:
We have but one course left open to
US to meet free importation of lumber.
and that is to reduce our wages until we
can meet any and all competition or
shut our mill down.
We employ about sixty men; no
women or children. We pay common
laborers 81 IS to 50; skilled labor. from
50 so to So per day.
They work sixty hours per week
The character of foreign competing
articles is lumber manufactured in Brit
ish Columbia; they are continually en-
croaching on our territory on this side
Of the line, Offering lumber for less than