The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-02-21
THE REPORT ON
TIMBER RUSHED
Was Put ThongA 4 creal Hurry
70 Ald ReciIfSeity
INQUIRY on F0RF0UR Years

Practical Politics n support Of
Psct--Evidence Of Great Trust Raj
Hes Votes for the Canadian Reel.
procity Treaty.
Washington, Feb. Persons az
flicted with suspicion that President
Taft doesn't know much about real
politics will perhaps want to revise
their views in confederation Of his
latest performance In practical propa-
ganda.
Reference Is had to the publication
Of the lumber trust report Of the bu-
reau of corporations, just at the time
when 1t would do the most good in
connection with the Canadian recl-
procity pact's consideration In the
houses OF congress.
For more than four years the bu-
reau has been at work on the investi-
CATION OF the timber and lumber situ-
alton. A month ago there was no
suspicion that the report would be
put out until after the close Of the
present session Of congress.
But the exigencies Of the reciprocity
situation made ii desirable that the
startling facts about centralized con-
troll OF the timber supply be given 70
the public Just az soon as possible
The reciprocity agreement. providing
more liberal terms for admittance Of
Canadian lumber. IL certain TO be
strengthened in public opinion by the
knowledge that something very much
like timber trust has been found in
the United States. Wherefore, the
timber Investigations results were
handed out TO the country at the par
ticular juncture when they would be
calculated TO strengthen demand for
opening the door 70 Canadian forest
products.
From congressional authorities who
are In close touch with the admins
tration. It is learned that there wal
more than coincidence In getting oui
the timber report in this crisis In
fact IL was planned carefully and exc.
cuted hastily but most effectively.
From the moment when somebod,
conceived that the timber-trust repor'
would strengthen the reclprocit,
movement in states where there 4
most opposition. marvellous actiyit,
was displayed by the experts VIII
have been working calmly on that re
port for years. Social engagement
we're abandoned. Sunday was forgot
Item. and everybody associated hlmsel
with the midnight oil In a fashion
which violated all time limits anl
union regulations The hurry order
we're peremptory. and the compliance
was highly gratifying to folks In au
ihority.
Needed In the senate.
The result was that at almost th
same hour when the house Of repre-
sentatiyes was voting on the reel
prociiy arrangement the summary o
the timber report was given out 10
publication. Il was not issued In tim
Ito have effect on the house. but II va
mot needed BY the house. The pIac
where II il expected TO have teliin
effect Is in the senate.
i Mid-vestern states. where .opposl
ton to reciprocity has been most serl
Ious because Of the feeling that III
farmer Is being compelled 70 pay N
lentire price. are especially ooncerne
labout lumber. The weakest thin
|about the Payne-AIdrich tariff act. 1
the opinion Of those communities. wa
the failure to provide for free lumbei
Promise free lumber 70 the upper Mls
kissippi valley and you can almost IN
duce II to surrender is hope Of sal
walton.
Mr. Taft came across with hIs lun
Der trns, report Just ID time 10 moIlIi
The middle west. and n the repor
doesn't have the desired effect, Il wi
mot be for want Of GOOD manasemer
. IN timing the report or efTectls
methods OF getting publicity for Il.
j Incidentally the report represent
the biggest and most difscult invess
! CATION the bureau Of corporations eve
made. A census Of timber was mad
In more than 800 counties. More tina
80 per cent Of the timber area Va
covered In detail. Maps and plsl
|, have been made Of hundreds Of tow
ships; enough Of them 70 oil Zoos
! sired room. showing just who owr
! The timber
For many years the idea Of q Inn
. Der trust has been deep-sest><. u
formation has been extreneiy vzxu
4 The striking thing about TIE report
that Il Indicates. not 20 much . cor
|, troll Of lumber ~ OF timber.
Il The report on lumber viii con
along later, and Il erpccsed 10 sho
! the condition logically Il. be Infsrrs
|. from the rapid centralIzslIon Of tin
Der control: namely, a close con
munIiy Of interest among the lumb.
manufacturer and dealers.
II there Is no lumber trust there
Al least power. IN ihe-nands Of 4 lin
lied number Of people. 10 make o.
: o. any time. Forty years ago thre'
fogrths Of timber nov standing vi
2 publicly owned Nov four-nfths
privately owned. and The private OIL
I. ership is fast getting consolidate
2 Railroad and other lsnd grants, al
saIe 0f Immensely valuable tlmbl
!, lands AZ rldlruloualy iow rrice. Ia,