Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-09-03
INCREASE IN
LUMBER CUT
AND WHY

the lumber cut in 1907 compiled by
the Bureau of the Census and the
Forset Service showed the largest
total ever reported in the United
States, exceeding by over seven per
cent the cut reported for 1906, untn
thin the record year. This does not
necessarily show a larger actual cut
than in 1906. for the returns OBJ
talned last year were more complete
than ever before. The figures them
selves disclose some Interesting
facts.
In 1907. 25,S50 mills made re-
turns, and their production was over
40 billion feet OF lumber. This is
believed to include 95 per cent OF
the actual cut. In 1906, 22,S9S
mills reported about 37h billion
feet. Since according to these figures
nearly 20 per cent more mills re-
ported last year than the year be-
fore. while the increase in produc-
ton was only little over seven per
cent. II might be thought that the
amount actually manufactured must
have been greater in the earlier
year. This, however, wonld be too
hasty inference, for II is almost
wholly among mills of small indivd-
ual l,output that the gain in the num-
ber OF establishments reporting has
been made.
A classification OF the returns by
states and regions throws additional
light on the situation. Individual
changes, as, for example, the re-
markable rise of Texas from eighth
to third place among the lumber
producing states, are doubtless ac-
counted for primarily by the greater
accuracy OF the 1907 figures; but in
the majority OF cases the advances
and declines can be traced to spe-
cific influences.
Before the year closed the general
business depression was severely felt
In the lnmbr Industry. IL was not,
howyer, the most important cause OF
a falling of in the production of the
year where falling OF occurred,
For decline In production took place
only in certain regions. The south
Is the region OF greatest activity In
lumber production, and yellow pine
the most important wood forming
S3 per cent OF the entire cut OF the
country The cut OF yellow pine
reported shows an increase OF 1;
per cent over that OF 1906. In the
; early part OF the year many OF the
southern mills cut so heavily that
In spite OF the curtailed output
which followed the business dis
turbance later, the total was greater
than ever before. But In both the
Lake states and the northwest n
smaller cut was reported than fol
1906. though the number OF mills
reporting increased.
In the Lake states the falling on
evidenced the waning supply oi
white pine. Michigan, which for
many years led all the states IN
lumber production, and then gave
way 10 Wisconsin. sank In 1907
from fourth 10 seventh place. while
, Wisconsin went from third TO NTH
Minnesota as late as 1905 held
fourth place. Last year II wen
from seventh 10 ninth. Y was not
untlf the latter '90s that the south
displaced this group Of states as the
most important source OF mmbe'
7 supply. Since southern pine Il
abundant in all the Atlantic ooas
states from the Carolinas 10 Texas
the region as whole will doubtless
maintain Its leading position fol
some years. in spite OF the fact tina
al the present rate the bulk OF thu
timber will be gone in another dec
! ade; but in totals OF production b.
: individual states the leadership hai
{ since 1905 been held by Washing
ton.
The figures OF production snow
that during 1907 Washington fell OF
| very decidedly from It's huge cut o
1sO6, while it's sister state. Oregon
is credited with a slight increase II
its total. In the early part OF th'
year Washington suffered from
car shortage, and at the end tn
combined effects OF business disturb
ance and higher freight rates hat
brought the industry almost 10 pa
ralysis. Oregon kept up It's cut be
cause OF its larger proportion o
eoastwise and foreign trade. Thes'
two states together produced NOR
lumber than any other two states II
TTnInn