The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-28

ton on a large scale and of mechanical
equipment unequalled by that of any
other s-eId in the world. This is evil
denced by the rate of annual produc-
ton. Unofficial estimates put the an
nual cut of lumber and shingles of the
three Pacific states at 1900. 000. 900 feet,
of which California supplies S60,000,OOO
feet Oregon 10000, 900 feet, and Wash
ington 2.300, 000, 600 feet. At this rate 1t
is calculated that the forests of the Pa
cifc coast will be exhausted in forty
wears.
The Pacific lumbermen have been
rapidly charging their area and volume
of commercial distribution. both in the
foreign and the domestic markets. Ac-
cording to figures gathered by the bu-
reau of statistics. the redwood ship
ments from upper California;. mostly to
San Francisco and the southern coast,
in 1902 amounted to 260 597 sos feet. In
addition to this. the California coast
alone in 1902 received 606, 1O2, 9s2 feet of
pine and fir; in 1901, 4O9, 245, $40 feet, and
in 1900, 370, 25S, 913 feet The rate of in
crease. as will be seen by comparison
of these figures. is enormous.
Further north on the coast the trade
corresponding strides. Shipments by
water alone at Seattle were 5s4. 472 sol
feet of lumber in 1902. and 6.964.749
feet IN 1901 A movement of almost
equal proportions is taking place to
points in the interior by rail. In 1902
rail shipments to the interior amounted
to 562 ,175,00O feet, and in 1901 to 364, $780,
600 feet.
One of the most noteworthy facts IN
connection with the development of the
Pacific coast lumber trade is its in
creasinz contribution to the transcon-
tinental tonnage for railroads on the
way back from the Pacific coast east
ward. The opening of the Mississippi
valley to the Pacific coast lumbermen
likewise brings the export trade from
the coast into closer relations with the
demands of the domestic consumer.
The consumer in the Mississippi valley
is directly interested in the progress of
NUMBERING. both in the northwestern
states and in the southern states as
main sources of supply. The entire
east IS chiefly dependent on both OF
these sources. Consequently all do
nestle industries and interests, relying
on the lumber supply of the future.
are concerned with the prospective
ability of any foreign competitor to
share the foreign market, and thus
to affect the rate of domestic output
and its ratio to domestic demand.
From present Indications, the United
States has nothing to fear from her
rivals in the lumber trade of the Pa
cifc Ultimately the Philippine islands
will no doubt contribute materially to
the supply. The trade from the Pa
cific coast of the United States is now
in a strong position.
During the fiscal year 1902 the United
States exported 1,4o2, 4s9. 900 feet of lum-
Der and sawn timber, of which 22,847 600
feet were sent from the Pacific coast.
The ex0orts of wood and manufactures
thereof advanced from, $26,00o,OoO in 1888
to s57 ,Oo0, 900 in 1903; lumber. the largest
item, increased in value, from 100000
in 1898 to S21. 000.O 600 in 1903.
Since 1898 the Chinese empire, Hong
Kong, British Australia, Peru and Chill
have together doubled the value OF
American lumber imported.