The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-09-29

that 1900 carloads of lumber is burned
annually in the woods or refuse burners
on account of a lack Of market.
Industry In Bad Shape.
During the past year the lumber
Industry has been in very bad shape
wages have been reduced. many mills
have either closed down or gone into
the hands of a receiver, and the loss
incurred in the depreciation in values
is estimated at $4,000, O00-a direct
and positive loss to the state of Wash
ington, because every man employed
in the mills, camps. factories and lum-
Der yards must depend on the for
mers, storekeeEers and others for his
saries of life, and every cent Of the
$47 900 pay roll is placed in circula-
ton among the producers, and there
fore any disaster to the lumber indus
try must affect every citizen of the
commonwealth.
I'm order to keep the industry alive
the lumbermen early this year for
Warded petition signed by upward of
1000 lumber manufacturers, 500 lead
ing merchants, S54 retail lumber deal
ers in Kansas, Nebraska and South
Dakota. who need our lumber, indorse-
ments from all the leading commercial
organizations in this state represent
ing an investment of upward of $780,
100000, to the presidents and traffic
managers of the Great Northern,
Northern Pacific and Union Pacific
lumber rate of 40 cents per 100 pounds
to Omaha and Kansas City and sur
rounding territory. The existing rate
is 80 cents per 100 pounds, or SIS per
1000 feet. while there is only one mile
difference in the distance. the distance
from Portland to St. Paul being 2056
miles and the distance from Portland
10 Omaha being 2057 miles. AS said
before the rate is 40 cents to St. Paul,
while, to Omaha, practically the same
distance. it is so cents. This difference
of 10 cents per leo pounds makes a
| s. to $3.50, and will allow US to COM
pete in territory consuming annual
| Iy 1862. 600 carloads. of which the lum-
bermen of Washington, Oregon, Cali
| fornia. Idaho and Montana contribute
| only 5000 carlads.
Met With a Threat.
! "Without stating any valid Objec-
| tons the transcontinental lines refused
our request although we assured them
Of an increase in revenues of $4,000
| 600 per annum in a territory where
| they had no other lumber interests to
pro tect. On May % a committee of
nine lumber men met with the traffic
| officials. but secured no results beyond
| a threat that if this 40 cent rate agita-
ton is kept up We will advance rates.
At no time nave the lines interested
presented any valid objections, and APP
| parently it does not matter whether
| the lumber industry. which contributed
| $22,5OO.G00 of the $4,000, 900 gross
! earnings of the Great Northern and
| Northern Pacific last year, would
prosper or die They evidently are
working on the theory that some time
or other the lumber will have to be
hauled. and what does it matter if the
state of Washington suffers?
Issue of the Campaign.
! "Having tried all other methods tc
| keep from going into the hands of a
| receiver. the lumber men have decided
| to make the 40 cent rate the issue OF
the present campaign, and if necessary
| keep it up in future campaigns. We
have been informed that the railroads
care more about possible adverse legis-
lation than they do of the business in
| terests, and We propose taking them
at their word. We want your support
| in securing this rate, which we are
| Justly entitled to, and if you will sign
| the inclosed pledge, we will do our ut
most to secure your election. 1t is oul
intention TO go before the $1,000 voters
in the mills and camps, with the re-
quest that they vote for candidates IA
| vorable to the lumber interests, be-
cause their bread and butter absolute