Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-04-21
SOME LIGHT ON LUMBER.

SOME LIGHT ON lomoe".
It is to be hoped that before the
vote is taken In the United States
Senate upon the lumber schedule the
senator's, particularly the two from
Virginia. will read carefully and Fon-
der well the following editorial from
Farm Life a highly reputable and &C
curate farm laper printed in Chicago
Says the Journal:
"fhe general argument for the re-
moval ct the tariff On lumber Ia. IN
our opinion. absolutely incontrover'
tible and may be summed up as fol-
lows:
Because It does not protect Ame''
lean labor. Numerous data and pay
rolls fled with the Ways and Means
Committee show that Canadian lum-
her labor on the whole Is paid q high
Or wage than American labor. In
Ouebes and the MARITIME Provinces
wages are slightly less than in Maine:
In Ontario they do not differ from
those In Michigan. Wisconsin and
Miunesota, while in British Columbia
they are in excess OF wages In Wash
iugton, Oregon. Idaho and California.
As a matter Of fact. the average
wage paid lumber labor In this coun-
try il much less than In Canada.
Southern yellow pine. the annual pro-
- x,,Afnh 20 tn
Ii .OeO. 0O0, 900 feet or about one-third
the total coniferous lumber product
Ct the United Etates, IS manufactured
chiefly by colcred labor, which Is
paid an average wage Of $l-25 Ter
day.
is 1t therefore to be the policy OF
this Congress to protect American
labor against as high or higher priced
lsbcr OF Canada. and all at the ex-
Qense II the consumer?
lumber in Canada rs in this country.
The Canadian saw mill being
equipped with America 0achinery.
subject to q Canadian duty q Is per
cent. costs more than the American
mill. With Canadian labcr at least
equal. and Canadian saw mills great
er In cost. what has the lumber
manufacturer to fear! Nothing.
The only person. therefore. pro
tected is the American timber owner,
who has been enabled to avail him.
self Of the munifcence Of our people
and acquire vast holidays under the
timber and stone. the holiestead and
the lien land laws. and by sharing
in the forest literally bestowed upon
the land grant railroads Of our coun-
try. Is IL to be the policy Of this Con-
gross TO protect TO: only rapidly
disappearing natural prodrct. be. the
owners thereof as we'll. who exceed
In wealth any ether class CT our ci.i
zcnS?
IF Canadian lumber is not going "a
b. Sold to tho American consumer
Why Is the American lumbermau SC
exercised over ony prospective change
In the duty, This Congress mus,
therefore choose between the lumbe,
consumer ard the American iimbc,
owner. which will II be-
So !, appears that some Ct on,
Southern Representatives In the lowe,
House have voted to protect south
err pine interest from the Canada,
project 10 stite Of Toe fact that tn.
Canadian lumbsrmcu pay much high
er weges to their workmcn than ar,
paid In the South and the turtle
fsct that Canadian lumber. to com
pete with the southern product !,
he Scutherp markets would have .,
-, hsslca some two thousand m.lc
- are.
The House slightly lowered the e.
issine saes O drcsscd lsobcr and =,
ouesf - euty On the rcusA orc
- - snssy b % - .fu On
- - sQAo. - hss eRcs sasvsL
~ = ~ IT, Naasssas Hsres