The Washington times., 1903-07-05
LUMBER BUSINESS
FACES GREAT CRISIS
Startling Decrease in Tim
ber Supply i'll 30 Years.
RECKLESS TREE CUTTIN G
Practical Forestry the Only Means of
Saving American Forests From
Total Destruction.
RECKLESS TREE CUTTING

Never before has the question Of the
preservation OF the forests OF America
been OF such interest as at the present
date. The lumber business, the fourth
greatest industry OF the United States.
Is confronted with a growing scarcity Of
timber. Scientists maintain that the de-
struction OF vast forest tracts is in
large part responsible for the terrible
heat waves that come with greater fre-
uuency than in years gone by Recent
Tres. destroying millions Of feet of tim
Der. call for more active and iudicious
aare of the forests.
r L. Mccormick. president of the Mis-
sissippi Valley Lumbermcn's Associa-
ton, advocates the use of practical
forestry, as outlined by the United
States Forestry Bureau, and more con-
servative numbering as the only means
by which the changed conditions can
be met
The question of whether conservative
numbering pays said Mr. Mccormick
depends upon whether the value OF the
second crop upon numbered lands is suf-
hcient to make it a profitable enterprise
to foster and protect it. and in many
cases the time has already come when
practical forestry is a good business
investment for lumbermen
Suggestions to Be Needed.
1--WE have received a good deal of
abuse for what has been termed our
vandalism-abuse which was unreason-
able. and which was not accompanied
by pertinent suggestions for reform; but
now the Bureau OF Forestry puts the
question Of conservative numbering ia a
way which makes it worth the atten-
tion of lumbermen.
The Bureau OF Foresty does not deal
with forestry problems merely in a gen
eral way. 1t gives each timber tract
upon which its assistance is requested
a careful study. and draws up its plan.
for management with due regard for th,
purpose and point OF view Of the lumber
man. The advice given by the forestr1
bun eau is. in word. the best business
policy for the management Of timbe
tracts, and is based on a thorough ex
pert examination.
Growing Scarcity Of Timber.
Statistics show" said Mr. Mccormick
that the lumber business is more an,
more confronted with a growing scarcit,
o. available timber. And though Amer
lean lumbermen are far ahead Of thos,
of any other country in enterprise in
genuity. and skill in methods and ma
chinery, we are obliged to charge NOR
and more for our lumber in order q
manufacture fl at a profit. The troub!
lies not in The cost Of manufacture, bu
IN the dwindling supply Of the timbe
itself.
Certain kinds of valuable timbe
tees Of the United States are rapid,
failing; others have entirely vanishc,
as a factor in the lumber market. Fo
example ten years ago the use Of bal
sam IN the manufacture OF paper pull
was practically unknown. The Easter
hemIock IS now valuable for its timbe
as well as Tor its bark.
- more modern instance is tho ris
of the Western hemiock, until recentl
dlscrcdited as a timber tree. The re,
a. Of the Northwest and the Southern
pines are rapidly invading markets for
nerly controlled altogether By the whit.
pine OF The north central States. Will
species Of peculiar value. such as blaci
walnut and black cherry. have practl
cally vanished from the market
Forests Of Michigan.
"As an example OF the diminution o
the stand Of merchantablc timber fl
some Of the great lumber regions, th
forests OF Michigan. Wisconsin. an,
Minnesota afford a good picture. Thes
forests originally contained about 35O
0o0.ooo.0o0 feet Of timber. Today a care
fuI estimate shows bat 81 .O50. 600 900 feet
or but onc-tenth OF tho original stand
This change has taken place ia the las
thirty years. The vast discrepancy Fl
due 20 the lumberiug, with the cxcep
tion. perhaps. Of about 63. COO. coo .OC0 los
due 70 1gc. IN 1892 the numbering +,
this region reached the high water mari
OF 5C0.e0o,cG0 feet. Since then tho an
Dual cut has steadily decreased"