Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-07
FINAL SESSION BEING HELD
Report on Railroads and the Enforce
- % : -..
ment Of Laws.
FORESTRY COMMITTEE REPORT
Confidence Expressed in Pinchot's Di-
vision-opposed to Monopoly Of
Output Of Forests. b,

The National Wholesale Lumber Dealers'~
Association again met at the New VIII
lard this morning and today win conclude
its work in connection with its fifteenth an
nual convention.
Mr.. Clifford Pinchot chief of the forestry
division, was present and explained the
purposes of the administration toward the,
question Of forest reservations. He was
warmly received and apparently his course
toward the preservation of the forests is
in thorough harmony with that OF the as
ISOLATION.
The meeting today was called to order by
President Lewis Din, with Mr.. E. F. Perry
as secretary. The first report heard by
the association was by Mr.. F. s. Underhili
from the committee on legislation. The
committee favored the establishment OF a
government harbor at Gulf Port. Miss. He
stated that the river and harbor bill passed
by the last Congress provides for such
harbor at Gulf Port we'll for its
maintenance. The representatives Of this
association. he said. had exercised a whole
some influence over the reciprocal demur-
rage convention recently held.
The whole railroad problem, the report
stated, has never before received much
attention from various state governments
as well as by railroads and shippers. The
last rate bill. he Said. makes many pro-
visions with penalties attached for the pro-
lection OF the shippers
Have we not" the report states enough
laws to give reasonable relief to the ship
pers IL they enforced? Ought We not
try the present laws before asking Con-
gress for more? 1t Is also true that while
there is shortage of cars and lumbermen
suffer from that shortage your committee
is not willing to assure that that shortage
is caused by the railroads deliberately. as
it is to their interest that the traffic of the
road should be forwarded. The greatest
trouble of this kind recently has been at
Galveston, Texas. and yet the laws of Texas
are the most stringent against the rail
roads for demurrage and penalties are ex-
acted for such demurrage 1t Is self-evt-
dent that the interest Of the railroad favors
having cars to move traffic promptly
Trouble in Securing Cars.
The report stated that 1t is not clearly
demonstrated whether the trouble lumber
men have in securing cars is with the
equipment of the railroads. with the track
age the terminal facilities.
I'VE think" the committee stated, THE
first thing to do is to find out the causes
of the trouble. and We know that is the
subject of careful inquiry on the part of
experts-the greatest experts the country
has-the members of the interstate COM
merce commission. This commission will
make a report to Congress and will sue-
gest remedies. After that shall be in a
better condition to determine what steps
should be taken by our association. The
committee recommends that this natter
shall be referred to your board of trustees
with power to act at such time and in
such manner as may seem best to them"
The above recommendation was adopted.
The report of the committee on forestry
was then made by Mr.. George +. Craig
The report expressed confidence in the
forestry division. headed by Mr.. Clifford
Pinchot, to satisfactorily solve the forestry
problems that face the country, and de-
clared that any recommendation with Mr..
Pinchots stamp of approval would be all
right.
"Your committee believes" the report
stated. that the lumbermen are sufficient
ly broad minded to limit personal profit for
the general benefit. In practical forestry
Mr.. Pinchot is the government"
Objected to Term Stealing"
The report referred to a letter written
by Mr.. Pinchot in which he referred to
stealing timber from the forest reserves.
A member of the association objected to
the word stealing" ...- .-.s. .--
"Lumbermen take timber They do not
steal It," he declared.
Mr.. Pinchot agreed with the lumber
mans criticism and said he would adopt
Mr.. Pfnchot was then called upon and
spoke approvingly Of the work of the
National Lumberman's Association. The
association. he said, had gone to work in
the right way, as II had framed legisla-
ton and was pushing to have it adopted
He declared that the comment on the
forestry work in the Senate was unfair.
The forestry division had been charged
he said. with being opposed to the estab-
lishment of homes on agricultural land
but the fact was the establishment of
such homes In the forest reserves wher-
ever there Is agricultural land In suffi-
cient quantities Is just what the forestry
division Is endeavoring to do. ....,.-
He had been charged with favoring a
monopoly Of the output of the forests. but
the fact was. he declared, the establish
ment OF reserves will give stability to prices
and prevent any cOrnering Of the timber
and the charging Of an excessive price for
lumber.
Substitute for the Senate.
'If anybody will make a motion to sub
stitute this body for the United States
Senate" said Mr.. Pinchot 'T have no
doubt that motion will be carried"
Mr.. F. r. Babcock chairman Of the COM
mittee on railroads. made a report detail
ing various action by the committee In re-
spect to an enforcement of the law in favor
of shippers
Mr.. John N Scatchard then delivered a
memorial address in memory Of Mr.. PEN
dennis White president OF the association
from 1902 to 1904, who died May 81 last
The association took a recess. II will hold
a final session this afternoon, when various
trade matters will be discussed.
Exhibit at Corcoran Gallery.
"a