The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-02
ARGUE AGAINST
THE ADAMS BILL.
LUMBERMEN SAY CHANGE
WOULD HURT MINNESOTA.
Standards of Measurements Have Long
Been Fixed and Are Satisfactory,
They Declare, and Change Now
Would Operate Against Local Mills in
Competition With Those Outside.

Officers and members Of the North
western Lumbermen g association do
not approve Of the Adams bill now be-
fore the legislature. The bill is for
the avowed object of compelling lumber
dealers and manufacturers to sell as
inch lumber only lumber that measures
full inch in thickness, when rough, or
seven-eighths when dressed on one side.
Two by tours must be up to full size,
and so on thru the list.
cannot see the use Of such a bill or
requirement, said President John W.
Barry Of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this morn
ing. ''The trade does not demand it
and those who use lumber understand
fully the methods Of the mills and deal
ers. It would appear to mo that It
would be something Of discrimination
against Minnesota mills, in competition
and Wisconsin, and the western and
southern mills would be virtually shut
out Of Minnesota by the high freight
rates on full size lumber. If Mime
sofa lumber came into outside competi-
tion I do not think purchasers would
when. they could get the present stand
ard from other mills at a lower price,
The Minnesota consumers would have
to pay more for the thicker lumber and
from my knowledge of buyers am GER
tain they would not care to do that
1luAUSI SCdAudIUS are we'll unOor-
stood at present." said A.. T. Frudden
association ut Would pd'1 place Mime me-
sofa at disadvantage in competition,
outside the state, with Michigan and
Wisconsin,. Heavier lumber means
higher prices thru freight charges. Some
OF the northern mills are in the habit
Of saving scant measure, and this
should be corrected. The present sizes
of lumber are satisfactory to dealers
and buyers, and such legislation appears
to be useless ;.
eff there is any virtue in such 8
move it is too late for its adoption ..
can Lumberman. "It cannot be done
In the face Of a waning supply in Min
nesota,. and the stock so nearly ex
hausted, such move would be, to my
: mind, the height Of folly. Eastern ant
western buyers are different, and tn,
standards vary. This is known to every
one having the, slightest knowledge o.
!, ment for such move that can see ant
it would mean the alteration of mill
and woodworking establishments if tn
proposed changes were made. 1t woul'
put Minnesota out Of the competition
? as against southern and western mills t.
say, nothing Of those in adjoining
was the questioning opinion of J. R
$ Hooper, manager Of the Canadian Lum
herman Of Winnipeg: '"It would prov
handicap to the Minnesota mills. !
any builder desire lumber of a spec
fed size he can get it and easily: I
! would mean the advancing of price o
: Minnesota lumber, and the public cor
:. HThere is no demand for such az
t tion,'' was the opinion Of w. G. Holli
: Of Minneapolis, secretary Of the asst
! citation. ''The measurements hav
: stood for long period and are thorol
!. understood. I do not think the publ
!; ct don't think legislation Of TIL
u kind is practicable, - said Plat " 7
) Walker, editor Of the Mississippi Va
e lev Lumberman. "The scant lumber
,, put out not thru any desire Of the .dea
er, but to meet the demands Of tn
1t trade. Scant lumber can be made s
( serviceable and the difference in freigl
8 rates is considerable. 1t would on]
h work hardship on the local dea!e
IS and would not affect the outsider in tt
10 least ),