Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1903-11-19
THE TIMBER CONDITIONS.
As Seen by W d. Sherman the
Timber Man.

As Secn Dy w ID. Snernan me
Timber Man.
Tine Oregonians and people of the
coast fail TO comprehend the value OF
their occasional heavy belts of timber
having always seen these big, tall
trees standing here, they expect that
they will so remain and laugh at the
idea Of Eastern people coming here
and taking timber claims, figuring
that it will be ages before getting
returns But those knowing the vast
export trade from the United States
to Southern China and other foreign
countries, that has developed during
the past few months, and considering
the consumption Of timber in the
prairie and other states, and knowing
that the supply in the once heavily
timbered states Of New England,
Virginia, West Virginia, North and
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
Eastern Texas, Arkansas, Missouri,
Michigan, and Wisconsin, with the ex-
ception OF Minnesota, is exhausted, and
that tho timber Of the Pacific coast
must meet these demands; consequent
ly, figuring stumpage cut in the past Is
years in those states it is easily seen,
without considering any increase in
the consumption Of lumber, (though
statistics show an alarming increase)
that from to ~ years hence, there
will be, practically speaking, no tim
Der left on the coast.
Eastern people have wrong ideas as
to the acreage Of timber on the coast.
Over one half of the coast acreage is
barren waste, and one half the tim
Der acreage is in forest reserve and
probably will remain so during life
time For 30 miles on each side the
railroads the railroad company owns
alternate sections, and none Of their
timber land is for sale. This short
age. together with some unsurveyed
lands, leaves less than an eighth open
for timber lonations of which the
majority has already been taken.
Now, it is very evident that syndi-
cate is trying to get a corner on the
timber Of the coast, and it is suggested
that they have not only interested the
newspapers in their behalf but that
they are soliciting the services of high
government officials to work in CON
junction with them. For instance,
newspaper articles have appeared to
the effect that citizens having taken
timber claims, would not receive
their patents from the government
Now, the careful thinker sees nothing
consistent, reasonable, or just, in the
government allowing her citizens to
file, make proofs and pay for their
claims, in accordance with the act
passed by congress in June 8, 1873,
(Which act has not been repealed, and
since which time patents have been
continuously issued) and then defraud
them of the same as the press sug
gests. People are still continuing to
file and make proof ON claims notwith-
standing the syndicates bluff. The
conservative thinker don't consider it
possible that the politicians of the re.
publican party are so short sighted as
to allow their future to be so leopard
lied neither would we believe that
our statesmen could be influenced to
contribute such food for the anarchists,
or risk swelling the present numbers
of the anarchistio army.
The timber on the coast is cedar,
both rod and white, yellow pine, sugar
pine and fir The yellow pine trees
have similar appearance, outward
ly, to the eastern Norway pine but
much finer quality and better finish
ing timber, The sugar pine has the
outward appearance of the white pine
Of the east but makes far superior
lumber being. lighter and stronger,
takes finish much better, and is great
ly sought after for many purposes
The FIR isA similar tree in outward,
appearance to the Eastern hemlock, but
has more strength and takes as good =
finish as the Eastern pines. 1t ia
known in the East as the Oregon pine.
The use Of fir is being rapidly learned,
it being indispensable in the construc-
tion Of ships, docks, bridge building,
aud all places whore strength and dura-
bility are required The price Of fir has
doubled in the last l2 months and no
doubt will soon be as valuable, or
more valuable, than the pines. No
timber on the coast is shaky-it makes
clear lumber from the ground up. The
price Of these lumbers on the car is as
follows;
Fir. .....,............. slS 90 to 20 OC
! lclloW Ilue ....ts ..,. II W 10 ~ ul
sugar Pine ..,....... q 10 to 60 OC
The forerunner Of systematic lum.
bering is just beginning Small mill.
are being put in through outthe coun.
'ry and are very paying propositions.
Lumber is hauled by trains of four horse
teams, and also by road engines draw
ing trains of wagons loaded with from
30, 900 to 90 600 feet Of lumber per en-.
gnc, which is drawn from one to 40
miles to the railroad These small
mills cut from 10, 900 to 80, 900 feet per