The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1907-01-04

pldlucQ tQ0 lumD0r 6ltu6tlOu 8OQ gave
his reasons for introducing his reso-
luton in the senate demanding that
the lumber trust be subjected to
a searching investig alton. He said:
''If the lumber business of the
United States is in the control of
lumber trust, the people of the country
have right to know it. To ascertain
whether or not there is such trust,
and to expose its workings II such
trust exists, is the purpose of my reso-
luton calling for thorough and COM
plete investigation by the department
of commerce and labor.
1.-THE lumber industry of the United
States, as shown by the census fg-
ures, represents total capital OF
1925 100000. 1t is classed as the
fourth industry in magnitude. The
chief lumber producing states are
Michigan, MINES ota and Wisconsin
in the northwest; Washington, Idaho
and Oregon in the far northwest: Ar
kansas. Mississippi and eastern Texas
in the southwest; Tennessee. Georgia
North California and Florids in the
southeast.
A ''GENTLEMEN' AGREEMENT"
While there is no organization or
record showing combination of the
the lumber interests in the different
sections of the country, there Is
strong suspicion that there is such .
combination held together by gentle
mems agreement or some other device.
"While the people generally are
aware of the fact that the price OF
lumber has been steadily increasing.
few, l am sure, realize the extent OF
4 knH
given me by persons familiar with the
facts. The prices are upon lumber OF
diffeyoat kinds and different dimen-
sions in the markets in my own section
of the country. but undoubtedly the
same conditions exist throughout
every portion of the United States.
GOES INTO DETAILS
"On what Is known as dimension
stuff, that is 2x4, 2x6 and 2x8, the In
crease has been from $50 q thousand
to $50 thousand In five years. In
1902 the price on this stuff was go; In
1908 it was $21; in 1904 it was &23; in
1905 it was S26 and in 1905 it is $50.
This is class of material of very
general use in buildings of all kinds
and every man who has had during
this period, to do any building ct ell
has felt the burden Of this increase.
1.-THE records show that there has
been an increase in the price of yellow
pine lumber of from $40 to $48 in 1905.
I'm ordinary flooring there has
been an increase of $40 thousand in
the increase in the past two wears has
been from $40 Thousand to 800 .
/ Thousand. Lathing has increased In
the last five years from 81 SO q thou
sand to $6 q thousand.
FORTUNES GO TO FEW
"These figures are sufficient to give
a general idea of the greatly increas-
ed cost of lumber of all kinds. There
general condition has prevailed
through the country. To the man who
makes even casual survey of the
stu alton, these figures must be signi-
ficant, to say the least of it. When
we see immense fortunes being piled
up in the lumber world; when we are
told that the gentlemen reputed to be
at the head of the lumber trust Is able
to reckon his wealth high up in the
millions, so high that it is even as
serted he be'nngs in the same multi
millionaire ca-- as John D. R.cke-
feller himsel aud especially when we
see small teaiers reapinv fortunes
while hundrais of Others have been
driven out OF the bushes entirely, our
suspicious are naturally very greatly
strengthened.
THE 'sTIE THAT BINDS"
There can be no question OF thu
among the wholesalers un the ont
hand, and the retailers on the other
and there is abundance Of evidence tx
show that not only are there organ
izatiOns working In perfect harmony
each in it's own field, but also tina
there is q complete understanding be
tween the two classes to the end o
maintaining prices, mOnOpDlizing tn
J the business and crushing out all in
dependents. We are told that th
tie that binds is nothing more tha
the gentlemen 3 agreements.
Are there such agreements, and
these In their workings, constitute
trust?
HAD ASKED FOR PROBE
Il believe it to be of the highest ii
portance to the country that we shOul
have authoritative answer to the.
Questions, and TO that end have intr,
!. uuO00 ny EOSOlut4OU C0Jll0R lOG du II
vestig alton. This is no new thing I
me. Two years ago brought Il
matter to the attention Of the depar
: ment of congress and labor, but so Il
rs know there has beep little, if %
investig alton by that department..
From the view point Of the people .
my section Of the country, no 0ths
|. investig alton could be more imp0r
d ant than this. believe it OF 90 mue
Importance to the entire country thu
i would have Il made ndatory VI
!. on the department TO take II mp
once.
!. 'tFor some time there has been con
ing TO me, from many directions, =
. tmOny, tending 70 demonstraoe g
foxistonco Of = lumber trust ana 4
workings. Much Of this is Ct ooa
= d0ontal character. Dealers who nov
= 70 depend on the trust for their -
4 existence are loathe to give reports 9
= their b0sipess except in connoe0ee
s For that reason do not deem 49,
a - this time TO give the NAMES 3 =
= 1nformAnts.