The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-11-01

10 dSh IiluCH ana grant Ilttle III Ietul IL.
They are prolific in promises, but not
always scrupulous in their fulfillment.
Promises they make on their own re-
sponsibility, the fulfillment of them
must frequently come from higher Off
Gals and is not always Forthcoming.
The lumbermen are weary of prom
Uses. What they are determined to Sc
cure in the present campaign is re-
suits. They are determined to avoid
entangling alliances, and make only
such alliances as will promote their
own cause, and can do so without run
ming counter to other interests.
The lumber industry is easily the
most important productive industry in
the state in the value of its product,
the number of men employed and the
amount of money paid out annually in
the form of wages. 1t surpasses even
the agricultural industry of eastern
Washington and approaches in import
of the state. Secretary Beckman of the
Pacific Coast Lumber Manufacturers
showing that the annual lumber out
put of the state is valued at 100000.
000 that the industry employs $1,000
persons and pays $41.000.000 Il year in
wages ana salaries. When il is remem-
bered that there are but approximately
100000 voters in eastern Washington
The Importance OF this influence in pol
itics can be appreciated.
II IS childish to presume that the
lumbermen. making the character of
The fight they are making this year.
are going to vote for the railroad can
didate for governor. For them to do
So would nullify all the good work
they have done towards getting
pledges of support from Legislative
candidates. II they are to succeed in
bringing any pressure TO bear on the
railroads. or in getting any legislation
regulating those railroads. they know
that they must act through candidates
or officials who are not beholden to
railroad influences for their political
being.
Had there been any doubt in the
minds Of the lumbermen that A. f.
Mead is the railroad candidate for
governor that doubt would have been
completely swept away by Mr.. Meads
action in reference to the pledge asked
by the lumbermen to support the forty
cent rate fight. The request of the
gubernatorial candidates for pledges of
Turner replied to the request as soon
as he was able to look into the matter
which is entirely satisfactory to the
lumbermen.
The letter to Mr.. Mead was put into
the hands of Chairman Palmer of the
Wilson railroad state committee who
two weeks. Upon being pressed for a
reply Palmer then sent the letter TO
Mead at WaIla Walla by a special
messenger. MI Mead carried the let
ter for several days and then wrote a
letter to the lumbermen which was SO
unsatisfactory that Secretary Beck
man announced that he proposed to is
sue a circular to the members of the
association announcing that vote for
/ Turner was a vote for the forty cent
rate
1t is plainly apparent that the rail-
road advisors of Mr.. Mead have SHE'D
/ at permitting him To give the forty
/ cent rate pledge for fear that by so
doing he was making concession to
/ the commission cause. The railroad
people know as Well as the lumbermen
/ that the only way they can be brought
TO terms is by a consolidation of the
lumber and agricultural interests. and
. they appreciate that that consolidation
IS At hand.
! Upon hearing that the lumbermer
would refuse 10 accept his first letter
as an evidence of good faith Mr.. Mead
/ wrote a second letter which he sent tC
the Post Intelligencer for publication
Later he sent it to Secretary Becknan
the letter reaching Mr.. Beckman Oct
%. Friday the lumber association met
in Tacoma and Mr.. Beckman made q
full report Of the circumstances. in
Guiding the evidence of Mr.. Nead'S
lack OF good faith and his attempt tc
put this association off with a shifty
and evasive reply.
These circumstances have had thei,
full effect With the millmen. and the
political influence of the industry vii
be thrown into the scale in favor O.
Judge Turner's election. Wherever
Judge Turner has been in western
( NaShipCra>, ba has baaD MET by Ia vye