The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-06-08

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal
Dear Sir: Having since 1885, represent
ing the lumber trade OF this coast, taken an
active interest in tariff legislation affecting
this industry, we have been requested TO sup
plement previous efforts in the matter of prob
able consideration of an import duty on lumber
from Canada and British Columbia by the
High Joint Commission at its session in August
next
The absolute necessity of protection for this
industry has been so completely presented in
past years that we do not regard 1t necessary
at this time to refer other than generally
thereto, but would note additionally that as a
matter of equity such protection should be as
sured to this industry, inasmuCh as every arti-
Gle used by lumber manufacturers has protec-
ton to the extent of higher percentage OF
the value of the product than the existing duty
on lumber similarly compared.
Above position OF the lumber interests of the
United States being conceded, the chances of
the renewal of Congressional agitation, or the
!. prospect thereof, has very disturbing effect,
and naturally the trade is DESTROYS of secur-
ing the permanency resulting from treaty ac-
ton and In event that the matter of tariff on
| lumber could be removed from the domain of
politics and made a clause in the treaty re-
ported by said High Joint Commission would
consent TO a reduction of 20 per cent of the
present 81 duty on rough lumber, where refer
schedule d. Wood and Manufactures Of of
the tariff act of 1897, ii being understood that
such reduction shall not apply to lumber pIaned
or tongued and grooved, or said act be subject
to any other notifications.
Establishing the fact that this is con-
sensus of opinion of the lumber manufacturers
throughout the United States Except solely a
very few parties who, during the operation Of
the Wilson bill became interested in Canada n
timber limits) we beg to refer you TO the posi-
ton already taken by this industry before said
High Joint Commission at both Quebec and
Washington, and particularly to the presenta-
ton made by the Hon. ]. A. Tawney. NJ. c.,
of Minnesota, and member of the Ways and
Means Committee and to whom you may refer
for further or special information bearing on
this matter.
We would also beg to. call your attention to
the very active interest taken by the late Hon.
Nelson Dingley in support of the contentious
of the lumber manufacturers. and are assured
that if the matter We're brought to the at
tention of President Mckinley, his indorse-
ment of the Dingley tariff would his
interest and influence with the American Com
missioners to lie on our side.
We, therefore, most respectfully request of
your honorable self that a Senator from
this coast, and presumably keenly alive to it's
best interests, you will make every due and
consistent effort to properly lay before Presi-
dent Mckinley and the American Commission
ers the Importance OF the action herein sought.
As justification for the apparently premature
presentation of this request, our views are
soners before the framing of the treaty. in
asmuch should the treaty reported to the
Senate include a lesser duty. there would be
but limited time and greater difficulty in hav-
ing its clause modified.
Trusting that this industry. on this coast. as
also in the United States (being the largest
and most important manufacturing industry
in all esentials) may have the full benefit of
all your proper efforts on the lines above noted,
and thanking you in anticipation thereof, We
PACIFIC PINE COMPANY,
H NJ. HERRICK, President.
II order that this circular may be bet
ter understood it is necessary to refer to
the late sittings of the High Joint Com
mission, when the Canadian Commission
ers urged that the American tariff on
rough lumber be reduced from ST. the rate
fixed by the Dingley law to 81. This
proposition found favor with some of the
American members, including Senator
Fairbanks of Indiana, the chairman. Ser
atoi~ Fairbanks is now en- route to this
coast on his way TO Alaska, and it is to
win him over to their views that the lum-
bermen are now working.
Senator Fairbanks is also a member of
the Congressional Committee that is going
to Alaska on the revenue cutter Hugh Nc
Culloch. and is due to. arrive at Puget