The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-12-16
CLAIMS OF LUMBER.


We need to present united front in press
ing claims Of the lumber industry upon our
national representatives. That unity of opin-
ion and action cannot be secured by star
chamber procedure. but from a representa-
ton of all phases of opinion in the trade, that
huence may be secured.
l think l hear an echo responding to the
notes that go out from this hail. to the effect
that it seems strange that SO great an industry
so strong in its resources and its men, should
be demanding protection.
No, this is hot an infant industry, and yet
it is one which is peculiarly susceptible to
all commercial influences.
For an industry of such magnitude 1t is
lamentably weak-weak because of the vast
extent of territory it covers, of its variety OF
elements, and by its very numbers. CONNER
cial cohesion. exercises bMts little force in an
industry composed of so many diverse ele-
able to protect itself, because OF the very con-
ditions under which it is carried on, because
of the enormous natural resources which
form its raw material and which, if not al
ways to be had cheaply, may be had readily
and in abundance. An industry which in a
year or two could double it's product is partic-
ularly liable to over production and little able
to organize itself to resist such tendency.
The erroneous impression widely prevails
through the lumber trade and elsewhere that
the placing of rough lumber on the free list
was Immediately followed by a sudden influx
of the Canadian product, and that any heavy
sale of Canadian lumber has been mainly the
development or the Few years since the tariff
act of 1890, cut the duty in two, and more
particularly since the act of 1894 entirely re-
moved the duty. But the fact of the case is
that Canadian lumber has for many years been
q prominent factor in certain of our markets
and in sections where that product could be
conveniently distributed.
Notwithstanding the fact that the consump-
ton was tremendously curtailed throughout
this country that the United States has not
in any twelve months since June 80, 1893, con-
sumed to exceed 70 per cent of its annual
consumption for several years preceding the
panic, the Canadians have continued to gain.
Mills have been erected on Canadian soil and
during the year ending June 80, 1885, importa-
lions of boards, deals! ,planks, etc., from
Canada amounted to 1855, 209, 900 feet, valued
at $8,505, 634 The first three months of the
present government fiscal year showed impor-
tations of 225, 1896, 900 feet which, il main
tanned for the year. would bring the aggregate
to much the highest peintiever known.
That in the face of business depression and
greatly reduced buying power, that in the
face Of our own low prices and struggle to
dispose of our product, our Canadian COM
petitors should have been able approximately
to maintain the volume OF their sales, and
then to increase thems that while our lumber
was lying idle in the piles vainly awaiting
buyers, the Canadian product should have
been moved in larger volume than ever be-
fore across the border, indicates the danger
to American lumber interests from this for
midable competitions competition, let me