The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-05-10
TARIFF ON LUMBER
THIS SCHEDULE CONTINUES CHIEF
OZONE OF cONTENTiON1
The Southern Lunsbermsn Says the sit
uation II still Cloudy, But the
Protectionists are Gaining

Nashville. Tenn May s.--{Special u
The lumber schedule continues to be
the chief bone Of contention" In
the Senate tariff fight as 1t was In the
House. says this weeks issue OF The
Southern Lumberman. Scarcely DAY
passes at washington that some Sena-
tor does not discuss the lumber tarin
at great length. Enthusiastic free trad
ers attack the schedule vigorously.
while lumber protectionists defend II
just as strenuously.
The situation 10 still cloudy. but de-
spite the assaults Of the free traders ~
appears that on the whole the cause
OF lumber protection Is gaining
strength from day to day. Che free lum-
berries showed their weakness by ex-
pressing a willingness to compromise.
Both Senators Nelson of Minnesota. and
McCumber of North Dakota, have said
openly that they would be satisfied with
q fiat rate OF II per 1000 feet on all
rough and dressed lumber. When the
fight opened they Insisted upon abso-
lutte free trade. but they seem to re-
alike that that proposition IL hopeless.
While stu talking for free trade they
admit they cannot get II.
Close observers OF the situation say
the 81 fiat rate idea cannot muster more
than thirty-fve vptes, and that an
amendment to place lumber on the free
list will not receive as many as thirty
votes on the flnal show down." II 10
agreed by both sides that much de-
ponds on the attitude of the Finance
Committee. That body has not publicly
indicated its position upon the matter.
except that one day recently Senator
Aldrich. its chairman, defended the
committees recommendation Of the
schedule as reported.
The anti-lumber Senators. PROPOSE
ton Of a fiat 81 rate Is based upon the
statement, which seems obviously alb.
surd. that the cost of labor employed
in dressing lumber does not entitle II
to any more protection than the rough
article. because the freight on dressed
lumber Is said to be sometimes less
than on rough lumber. This argument
has been riddled by Senators Piles of
Washington, Scott and Elkins. OF West
Virginia. and others.
The high tariff men generally are
disposed to seek the highest rates on
all products. and lumber Is. no excep-
ton. The representatives Of the lunl-
Der interests in Washington are In
sisting upon the restoration OF the
Dingley rate of 81 per 1000 feet. They
say they win not compromises on any
thing less. They claim TO have inside
information that the Finance Commit
tee will recommend 81. and that when
the bill leaves the Senate 1t will give
that amount OF protection to lumber.
There Is no doubt that much of the
hnti-lumber talk 10 merely intended for
home consumpti on among the constit-
uents OF free lumber Senators.
The lumber people are not disclosing
their hand at this stage OF the game,
but there are reports that the proposed
81 protection may not be plainly visi-
BILE TO the ordinary eye. although 1T
may be effecfual nevertheless. This
could be brought about possibly in sew
eral ways. The maximum and mini
mum differential rate Of % per cent.
ad valorem will help considerably. for
instance. As the bill now stands. this
makes the rate on lumber practically
81 25, as Canada is not expected to
cease discrimination against American
lumber. This only leaves rs cents to
be added. This may be forthcoming in
the shape Of a direct raise, or. some
thing equivalent may be inserted in the
administrative sections or other fea-
lures of the bill
yellow Pine Eleparatioa Claims.
Another step is being taken today in
the settlement Of the Scent refund
claims in the central yellow pine ter
ritory, The traffic men in this terri
tory are scheduled to hold q general
meeting at the Grnnewald Hotel in New
Orleans to receive the report OF the New
Orleans clearing house on the claims
arising in this territory--that IL Mis-
sissippi, the western portion OF Flor
ida and q large part of Alabama To
this conference have been invited the
attorneys representing the claimants
and any of the shippers who desire to
attend. Gen. 7. M. Miller. who. with
John d. Miller Of New Orleans. and
Green and Green. jackson. Miss, repre-
sents most Of the claimants. states that
the work OF the New Orleans clearing
house is about concluded. but could not