Omaha daily bee., 1907-10-07


firms are represented in logging and manu-
facture. This means about 10000 men are
connected with the industry, to say moth
ing OF thousands and thousands indirectly
and remotely dependent upon It. Averag-
ing each workman at $7Oo as his wages for
the year-a low hgure-the payroll amounts
to about s70O00OOO. Wheat will bring to
Washington this year about s4OoOO,O0O Ash.
ti5.OOo.OOo; coal. ts,SOO,OOO0. and the Alaska
trade represents s7,5OO.OO0, so the magnitude
OF the lumber business is greater than ALL
Railroad OmciaIs Not n Unit.
There is said to be grave differences of
opinion among the traffic oficials them
selves over the wisdom OF advancing the
lumber rates OF course II would be a great
thing for the railways II they could count
on handling the same amount of lumber
business, for II would mean an increase
of receipts to the tune of SSS,OOO.COO, every
year. but IL the trafHc falls OF. as the
lumbermen say it will they win be the
losers instead of the gamers by moving
UP the rates. AS a basis on which to
figure. the lumber manufacturers wrote to
thousands Of customers throughout the
middle and eastern states, asking what
effect the new rates would have on their
orders for northwestern lumber. The re-
plies indicated that the demand for shin
giles would be reduced to about 20 per cent
of its present volume, and that for lumber
would be half that figure.
AS It is. the lumbermen are forced 70
absorb dlfferential of from $3.50 to S14.70
In competing at Omaha with the southern
and northern timber products, the trans
portation charges on those woods being so
much lower because OF the shorter dis
tances. The scheduled advance in rates
will mean still greater dfferential of
1890 AS the lumbermen figure on only
profit of $3.50 per LOCO feet at the mill it
is plain to see that the hght is one for the
very life of the lumber industry.
BeckmaB's Views.
Victor II. Beckman secretary of the Pa
cific Coast Dumbermens association, and
the best posted man on the manufacture
OF lumber in conjunction with the opera
tion of railways, makes the point that the
present freight charges anywhere beyond
Minneap polls on the northern lines arc more
than the cost OF the lumber. Mr.. Beck
men has appeared before dozens OF rail-
way presidents, before the Interstate Com
merce commission and even has carried the
lumber fight to the president of the United
States in person. He asserts that the
greatest trouble the lumbermen have,
however in prosecuting their case is the
difficulty of getting reliable and accurate
Information from the railway officials re-
garding railway earnings, cost of oUer-
ating expenses. etc The head Offices of
the different companies are 10th to give up
what their enemies want. which Is hardly
surprising state of affairs.
THE lumbermen could afford TO pay the
railroads $3.50 car on the lower grades
OF lumber" says Mr.. Beckman. into the
Omaha and Missouri river territory. This
| would mean a profit of perhaps 10 per
| cent on the cost OF transportation TO the
railways. II such a rate could be put in
| force, We would cut into lath and small
pieces those $500 cars Of lumber that now
are lost, and we would get many million
dollars more out OF our forests without
| cutting them down any faster We could
use the small trees and knottel boards
| that now are lost. As it Is, we can make
use of only the first-class logs. and all
the others are waste. 1t is sacrifice
that is appalling, and before so very many
years have gone by the people OF the north
west will be bemoaning the passing of
the timber wealth that at least in part
has been so ruthlessly sacrificed.
Railroads Kefuse Relief.
yet the railways refuse to give us the
/ accent rate thai, we have 50 long been
asking. Perhaps the Interstate Commerce
commission, in determining what is an
equitable rate may give us the long de-
sired relief. but even then the damage
that the announcement of the increased
rate and its effect even for a short time
after it is put in force. Will be beyond
caluculation. 1t might be said.
THE lumber interests have suffered loss
of millions and millions of dollars now
because OF the failare OF the railroads to
supply cars. We have been for months at
! a time without more than score or two
of cars, where we needed hundreds and
thousands
Interstate Commerce Commissioner
Franklin X. Lane has been in the north
west investigating conditions. and prepar-
ing to expedite the hearing OF the lumber
mems and railroads arguments as soon
as the case reaches the commission in
an official way. He is thoroughly familiar
with conditions. and the lumbermen, as
well as the railways. have faith in the
justice of his conclusions. If the railroads
lose before the commission they will be
compelled to return to the lumber shippers