The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-06-10
Ghrlemorraf-S Star
II
Southern LunherniSn.

Southern Lum1ernisn.
What of the war, how long will 1t
last, and what effect will it have on
business and trade? are questions ask
ed and discussed by the business men
in all lines Of trades, OF course, no
ono is able 10 give an infalliblc an
swer tn any of the questions. There
is 4 wide difference of opinion among
lumlernicn as to the effect ii will
have on the lumber trade. Most OF
them think that the effect ut first will
be to lessen the volume OF trade. but
only temporarily, while others take a
very gloomy AMI pcssimistic view Of
the situation. This difference If npin-
ion is largely due tn the mental or
ganizati0n OF the individual. Some
men are always hopeful even under
most adverse circumstances; while
Others are always expecting the worst
to happen, even in the hest of times.
Making due allowances for this.
there is a good reason for Il wide diff
ference Of opinion, depending upon
the location and character of lumber
a person manufactures or handles.
The business Of the pine timber Of
the Gulf and South Atlantic export
CTS will be simply ruined for Il while,
but that Of the wood pulp will enjoy a
great hnom. There will probably be
some falling of in demand for yellow
pine in the home markets in the reg
ular lines of trade, but war creates
new demands and opens up new lines
Of trade. For instance, thereMill be
an enormous call for boxes Of all sorts
and sizes for transport and protection
of army stores and supplies. The cot
tonwoOd men are all behind in their
orders. The grades Of poplar usually
used in boX-maIing are scarccr than
ever known, aud higher priced lumber
will have to be used. For large boxes
for provisions, ordinance stores, etc.
yellow pine can lie used. There will
be no material falling off in the call
for railroad timber and lumber. Con
ditiOns have changed, A wholesale
dealer may stand in need OF certain
stocks; but if prices and terms do not
suit him. he can wait, and generally
does wait. Not so with the govern
mcnt in time Of "a If it needs any
thing, it must have it at once, regard
less Of price. Again, the war cXpcn.
lures will place millions OF dollars IN
circulation, and all classes Of financial
doctors ~goldbugS, free silvcritcS,
grcenbackers, tiatists and pOpulites-
agree that plenty Of money makes
high prices; and as that is the only
thing they all do agree upon, it may
be set down as a fixed fact.
The general business of the country
was never in atmOre prosperous condi-
ton. During the ten months end
ing with April" says the New York
World, we exported more Of our own
production by Sl24 ,920, 292 than we did
during the same period last year.
During the same time we imported
less foreign goods by $50, DOS, 05S than
we did for the corresponding period
last year. In other words, we in
creased our favorable trade balance by
the enormous sun Of S2li sos, 493 over
the highly favorable balance Of last
year, making a total excess of exports
over imports for the last ten months
of $5l4,345,495, or more than half Il
billion to the good. These Figures
explain our great influx Of gold. Dur
ing these ten months we have recciv-
cd from abroad 800. 3l5,50l in gold, and
we have exported Of that mental only
Sl4, S36, 003. We have thus added to
Oul gold supply from this source alone
$84, 40, 498, besides keeping home the
product of our own gold mines,
amounting to about $4,000, coo.
The war may lnjure the business Of
some lumbermen, but it will help that
of others. So, looking the field over,
we see nothing discouraging in the
outlook.