The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-17
Manufacturers Work Hard
to Keep Manipulating
Duty on Timber.
NO OTHER INTEREST
BATTLING AS HARD
Headquarters Maintained Here and
Banquets Are Given to Get
Doctrine Spread.
By JOHN SNURE

The lumber lobby, which is now max
ing Washington the chief theater of its
operations, is by far the most powerful
organization that has yet made its ap-
pearence in the Capital for the pur-
pose OF controlling the course OF tariff
revision.
In the whole range of protected in
dusuies, none is putting up the fight
that is being made by the lumber inter
ests OF the United States for the reteu-
ton OF the present duty of s. per
thousand on lumber. For weeks a high
ly organized and costly lobby has been
maintained here. with HEADQUARTERS at
the Willard and it IS expected the lob
by VIII not abandon its campaign TO
compel the retention OF the lumber
tarin until the new tariff bill is finally
passed.
Not only is there activity on the part
OF the lumber lobby here, but its agents
are also engaged In travelling through
the country. seeking TO stir up senti-
ment In opposition TO the reduction of
the lumber tariff and TO promote pub
Lefty in the interest OF the retention OF
the present duty.
Recalls Dingley Days.
Nothing like the activity OF this lobby
has been seen about Washington since
the days when the DingIey tariff was
framed Even ia the railroad rate fight
of 1905, the railroad lobby that then
made Washington its center of opera
tons was not so powerful.
The lumber lobby is making a careful
and systematic campaign ia opposition
TO free lumber Moreover. reports are
that IT is making progress and that it
has already given the cause OF free
lumber q serious setback. It is now said
that the most the lumber lobby expects
10 see done by Congress Is to reduce
the present tariff, but not to wipe it
out.
J. T. Defebaugh. editor of the Chi
CagO LumbeTman, the leading trade
publication, has been given general
charge OF the campaign here. especially
On its publicity and educational side.
The publicity campaign has wide ramIH-
CauOnS. and extends throughout the
country, especially TO papers reaching
the sections where there are lumber in
LeTests.
Leading Lumber Lobby.
In addition TO Mr.. Defebaugh. some
OF the leading figures in the lumber
world are also making Washington The
center Of their endeavors to promote the
lumber tariff gospel j. 3 White. OF
St Louis a member OF the board OF
managers OF the National Lumber Man
ufacturers' Association, is one Of the
number. He is dividing time between
lobby work la Washington and travelling
work IN the interest or the lumber
tariff.
A most prominent figure iu the lumber
lobby is Edward S. Hines. of Chicago,
who is said TO be the largest lumber
dealer In the world, and who is one Of
the greatest executives Of the Weyer-
haeuser combination. Hines recently ef-
fected q g29055,003 combination Of lum-
Der interests in Wisconsin. Michigan,
and Canada
Hines has for weeks been devoung
most OF his time TO work ia Washing
-1Cn and on the road IN the lumber tariff
cause. He has the reputation Of being
the characterized and the abIest OF
any OF the leading figures IN the lumber
business o. the country
Only Good Witness.
The opponents OF the lumber tariff
give him credit for being the only wit
ness before the Ways and Means Com
mlttee on behalf OF the lumber tariff
who made out a good case for mis- side
OF the question.
One OF the chiefraius in the lumber
lobby here is Frederick Weyerhaeuser,
the son OF the original Weyerhaeuser.
OF ST. Paul Frederick Weyerhaeuser is
the trusted executive Of his father.
Frederick EFeyerlaeuser, the elder
undoubtedly owns more timber than any
other man ia the world. il includes
timber .u the United States, Canada.
Mexico. and even iu Asia. The Weyer-
Laeuser group as it Is called. is said
10 include no. less than nrty-elglr mill.
Il0ualres The wealth of Weyerlaeuser
himself is estimated 10 bee greater than
that OF any other man lu America with
the exception OF John j. Rockefeller
The lumber lobby here represents
probably % per cent of the holdings OF
timber 30 the United States. 10 ls need
Jess 20 add that IL represents capital
Of hundreds OF millions OF dollars The
plan or the work of the lumber lobby la
largely TO force the banks ana the rail-
roads Of the country 10 I4e up .sE LHa
maintenance OF The .lmaa. tariff.
What Argument is.
The argument being used with the
banks IS that If the tarE is removed
business gl this side oE The Canadian
border win be injured Railroads arc
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