The Washington herald., 1909-02-14
TARIFF DISCUSSED
BY LUMBER MEN
Dinner Given by Representa-
tive Wheeler at Willard.
GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY
Chicago Dealer Denie. Existence of
Trnsf Advantage of Canadian
Cheap Labor DvveIt Upon-southern
Democrats said to Be for Protection.

Tarif reform in the lumber industry
and facts and hgures showing the condi-
ton Of the trade ia the United States
and Canada were discussed by speakers
at the banquet at the New Wizard Ho-
tel last night. given by Representative
Nelson p Wheeler. of Pennsylvania. 70
members % the House Of Representatives
and the board OF governors OF the Ma
tional Lumber Manufacturers Associa-
ton. and other iumbermen Of the United
States
In the large ballroom Of the hotel. on
the tenth floor, the guests gathered about
small tables beneath the soft glow of
shaded lights and 10 the accompaniment
OF soft music from a hidden orchestra
did justice 20 the substantials and
dainties
Afterward. when the cigar tips were
glowing. Mr Wheeler made Few re-
marks and turned the gavel over to J. E.
DefebaGgh of Chicago. editor OF the
American Lumherman. who acted as
toastmaster.
Representative James r. Mann. Of IIT-
nois. was the first speaker, responding to
the toast The House Of Representa-
tiveS. Mr. Mann told funny stories,
quoted poetry. and said everything but
something serious He kept the ban
queters in good humOr and prepared them
for the more stable addresses 10 come
second in Size.
Edward Hines. Of Chicago. declared
that the lumber business Is the second in
size OF all the manufacturing industries
in the United States. being exceeded only
BY the steel and iron business. He de-
eIared II 20 be the principal Industry in
thirteen States.
The speaker denied the existence Of a
lumber trust. and declared that there are
more than 2S003 sswmiIls IN about forty
six States The product Of these mills,
he said, enters into competition which is
countrywide. each district competing
with every other district, and the mills
Of each district competing with each
other.
The advantage Of the Canadian manu-
facturer was explained BY Mr. Hines. He
said they hold licenses from the govern /
ment for the cutting Of timber within /
certain limits. and pay a royalty as the
timber is cut: while in the United States /
the manufacturer is obliged 10 purchase ]
his timber outright in quantities sufficient /
to supply his mill for many years. This |
represents large carrying charge, he !
said. and the American takes all the /
risks.
Has Advantage.
Again. Mr Hines said the Canadian I
has a distinct advantage in the matter OF
labor. particularly In Western Canada. |
where large numbers Of japanese. Chi /
nese and Hindus are employed He ex-
plained that the lumber which the Cana |
dian seeks 10 put on the American mar /
ket Is chiefly Of low grade a class which |
constitutes about g per cent Of the Amer I
lean output. For this the Canadian has I
no market at home. while there Is q large !
market for il in the United states.
on this class OF timber. Mr.. Hines said. /
there should be a heavy tariff, as Il Is
used extensively IN box manufacturing. I
and instead OF saving American timber I
destroys il. the lumbermen here being I
obliged. because Of the low prices, 70
leave much Of It 10 stand and rot in the 1
forests
That the lumber industry is the largest /
consumer Of farm products in the couu- |
try was an important point made by Mr.. /
Hines.
Representative Wheeler was alluded to |
as an honest man and an honest lumber
dealer by Capt. J. B. White. Of Kansas |
City, No. one Of the leading yellow plse /
manufacturers In the country. He has |
co-operated largely with the Forestry |
Service in conservation experiments.
The speaker pleaded for the present /
tariff, declaring il the bUlwaTk insuring /
America against the products Of Canada. |
In his opening remarks Capt White !
said he had known Mr. Wheeler for many
years: IN fact. had known him when he /
was IN the lumber business. many years |
before he went into Congress He said l
he bought lumber from him thirty-nine |
years ago, and always found him an hon. |
est lumberman- Later he ssid he found /
Mr.. Wheeler in the Pennsylvania legisla- |
ture He was an honest man when he |
went in he said "and can only hope I
that he came ont one"
Tariff Necessary.
capt. White said the tariff was neces-
sary to forest conservation. and declared 1
It the duty Of every American citizen 20 /
plant q tree out Of consideration for
those who follow him He said the re-
movaI OF the duty on lumber would
hasten, rather than prolong, the life OF
the American forest. because anything !
which tends to cheaper the value OF the |
forests prevents its complete utilization. |
In substantiation Of this he said II the
lumbermen were not able to handle at
a profit that part OF their product which |
comes most keenly into competition with |
that OF Canada they will be obliged to |
leave It in the woods.
Within the last ten years, Capt White I
said, the amount Of usable material /
taken from an acre Of timber land had
increased from 80 TO 90 per cent, accord |
ing 20 the kind Of wood and locality. |
This. he said. was a compensation for I
the advance in price, and 70 cheaper the /
low grade lumber would make It neces- |
sary 10 revert to former conditions.
Dr. c. A Schenck. forester In charge Of
the Vanderbilt estate at Biltmore, y. G, /
spoke on forest conservation. The time |
had not been reached. he said, when tree |
growing can be undertaken as a crop |
with profitable results.
The advantage the Canadian has over /