The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-09-17
TIES SCARCE
Forestry Bureau Predicts
a Lumber Famine
in 70 Years.
CONSUMPTION IS LARGE

IUNoUWT IIUN 10 LAnUL
Chicago, Sept. 16.-Shortage In rail
road ties is becoming serious prob
lem to the railroads of the United
States. Only recently the forestry
bureau OF the department OF agricul.
ture predicted a lumber famine In
the country In rs years IL the present
consumption of lumber was maintain
ed under present conditions Of preser
walton of forests and manufacture OF
output. When IL is realized that the
railroads used last year 103. 3.000.000
railroad ties, averaging about 30
board feet each, and that this number
of ties aggregates more than 3.000,-
100000 board feet. or one-twelfth OF
the sawed lumber produced In the en-
tire country in one year. the problem
can be better understood.
That such a shortage has been fore.
seen by the railroads is manifested by
their almost frantic efforts In the past
to find a substitute for wood from
which to make railroad ties. A few
years ago steel tie was invented.
which, Il was predicted. would pro-
duce a revolution In the business. A
serious accident on the Pennsylvania
railroad during the past winter, which
was ascriDed to the use. of steel ties
on a curved track. resulted IN their
displacement and a return to the old
wooden railroad tie. and the steel tie
is now temporarily. IL not perma-
nently abandoned.
A good many freak Inventions have
been tried without success, such as
attended even the steel tie, with the
result that the railroads now seem
absolutely welded to the wooden pro-
duct by force OF circumstances. Ef.
forts are now being made to proiong
the life Of the wooden tie with some
success, and the railroads
are looking TO the future for an mex
supply Of wood to meet their
demands.
OAK THE FAVORITE
Formerly white oak had the call as a
wood for railroad ties. IL now sup
plies only half the demand. where
Il formerly supplied ALL The rapid
extension OF the railroads calls for
more timber every year aud II seems
1nly a question OF time when. white
1ak will supply less than half the de.
nand. It's chief claim TO utility lies in
Its resistance 20 decay and its ability
% hold the spikes. Although at a
high price now II still remains the
most economical for railroad men.
Wide use and excessive waste In
,utting has brought the railroads TO
he point where they are compelled
% accept comparatively Inferior ties.
Inasmuch as railroad ties have
passing over them every year thous-
'nds OF trains carrying hundreds of
thousands OF passengers, the serious
less of the situation becomes appar-
mt. To the railroads II means an ad-
lltional outlay for new ties about |
vice as often as hitherto. in addition
o the double work entailed In lay. |
ng them and the maintenance of an
Idequate inspection service at all
lines of conditions OF the ties already
own.
As a substitute for white oak. yell
Ow pine has proved the best, and
ne-hfth Of the ties bought last year
we're of this material. Cedar. cypress.
tamarack. hemlock and
gestern yellow pine, until recently
eldom used for ties, are now coming
nto general use In those sections of
he country where these respective
FOODS abound,
pqofdxe-gogmyepf--n.- 10
ECONOMY is ORDERED.
To meet the emergency several ex'
eriments are being made. In the
rst place the tie makers are cutting
he woods more closely than ever be-
Dre, for the best grades and even the
ops Of trees, formerly abandoned to
he elements. are now being trimmed
lto railroad ties. SO fine Is the line
elng drawn by them that they are
ven saving instead OF chopping down
heir trees to save the waste of the
x-cut tree.
Chemicals are being applied to the
es by the railroads. and In some in
.ances. they have been able to pro-
ing the life OF inferior ties several
ears and in rare cases to 20 years.
iferIor woods seem to take this treat
tent better than others.
The most permanent policy adopted
y the railroads, however, Is that OF
ie actual purchase of forests and
leir scientific care. In this the bur-
,u OF forestry has taken the lead in
stting forth the advantage of such
Ian and the railroads are needing Its
1vice.
They have even gone into the tree
Ianting business for themselves. and
uring the past year have set out
of trees II Is predicted
hen the full Significance Of the poll
Z grows on the railroads there win
} railroad forest reserves all over
le country. \