The Washington herald., 1908-03-05
TIMBER FAMINE HERE
President Indicates Tasks
Confronting Lumbermen.
WORKING FOR CONSERVATISM
President Hastings FOresees More
Limited Prosperity on SOunder
Basis-Sherman Antitrust Law
Criticised by Committee and Out
Iawing All Corporations.

I'VE are over the verge of a timber
famine.
1T behooves every man who wishes to
see the land left better instead of worse
for the children that come after him 10
join with the government in trying to
take steps TO make the lumber industry
permanent industry"
This declaration by President Roosevelt
was made in a brief address before 500
members OF the National Wholesale Lum-
Der Dealers Association gathered in the
East Room OF the White House for the
Presidential reception that was a feature
of their sixteenth annual convention in
progress az the New Willard.
The Presidents Speech.
To the delegates and their guests-hfty
members OF the Eastern States Retail
Lumber Dealers Association-the Presi-
dent made a short address. He said:
THE National Lumbermens Association
represents those who deal not only with
one of the most important industries. but
with one OF those industries wherein II
is imperative that the national govern
ment should cooperate with those en-
gagged in the industry themselves in en-
deavoring to perpetuate it.
I'VE are over the verge OF a timber
famine in this country. 1t behooves every
man who wishes TO see the land left bet
ter instead Of worse for the children that
come after him TO Join with the govern
mcnt IN trying TO take steps 70 make the
lumber industry permanent industry. 70
perpetuate through use the forests Of this
country.
I'VE. all OF us IN this country must
turn our attention more and more 10 the
conservation OF the natural resources of
the land. There is no body Of Our citizens
to whom it is a matter of such immediate
moment as this body that l am now ad-
dressing.
President Hastings Report.
The Presidential reception followed the
first session Of the convention. held in the
ballroom Of the New Willard. J. NJ Hast
ings. OF Pittsburg. president OF the whole
salers' association. called the convention
to order at IL O'Clock, and made an ad-
dress. The main business OF the initial
session was the reading of a number OF
reports OF the various committees.
In his address President Hastings spoke
OF the depression in the business world
and how il had affected the lumber in
terets. He said IN part:
While our association opened the year
with the skies clear yet how quickly
after the first half Of the year did the
dark clouds appear on the horizon. and
were the results felt in the financial and
commercial world. So we might say that
with the beginning of this year We have
conditions surrounding US from a COM
mercial standpoint altogether different
/ from what we had at the beginning OF
the past year
Commerce in all lines OF trade has
been stihed. condolences have received
bad setbacks. Notwithstanding all these
conditionss. we may look forward TO re-
turning prosperity, perhaps not on as
large basis as we have been getting
for the past four or five years. not with
the rush, turmoil, and strife OF thPse
years. but with more soundness and With
a more substantial foundation. so tina.
good will no doubt result both To tho
financial and commercial interests. and n
the end prove beneficial 20 the best IN
terests Of our country.
we needed the lesson. perhaps not as
severely as 1t came. but nevertheless
the effects from II will be wholesome
Plan OF Cooperation.
In his report f. F. Perry, secretary OF
the association. urged the formation of =
plan of cooperation with the Forestry
Department OF the United States, in IN
Producing the study Of elementary for.
estry in the public schools Of the country
This subject will be further discussed ir
the report Of the committee on forestry
n. P. Wheeler, chairman. which viii bs
read az this mornings session.
The committee on legislation in its re
port, favored the proposed amendment Il
the act 10 regulate commerce which PRO.
vides. in substance. that power be giver
to the Interstate Commerce Commission Il
suspend any proposed advances in freigh-
rates pending an investigation by ths
commission; If. on investigation. the com
mission finds facts which would warrant
the conclusion that the advances are up.
lawful, II may, under the provisions Of tn,
amendment. have the power TO enioir
such advances permanently.
This committee also criticised the Sher
man antitrust law. The report read. II
part:
IT has been said OF the Sherman anti
trust law that it is the most drastic piece
of legislation that was ever enacted BY
the Congress Of the United States. While
that Is a sweeping statement. IL seems
to be borne out by an examination of the
provisions Of this law.
so far-reaching are the provisions OF
this law that technical enforcement OF
them would probably show that every
combination Is combination in restraint
OF trade. and, therefore, illegal, anS
whether the results of such combinations
are beneficial or otherwise does not en-.
tei into the case at all.
Beside the report of the committee or
forestry, which is expected 10 prove ths