The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-07-31
FOREST BUSINESS
BREAKS RECORD

washington July 30-The national
,orast business done during the fiscal
voor which ended June 80, surpassed
al, previous records. The receipts
from the forests approached $4,000,
ooo of which about one-half was for
timber while contracts entered into
for sale of timber to be cut either at
-once or in later years totaled about
; 900, 900. These sale contracts per-
m,t the cutting period to extend over
a number of years when large bodies
of timber are involved
Under existing laws 80 per cent OF
the gross receipts, or between $Soo,
600. and 5000 900, will go to the bene-
or Of the states in which the forests
are situated. for schools and roads.
The records show that the volume
If sales contracted for in different
wears fluctuates widely, with ups and
downs according to general business
conditions, willis the actual cut has
shown a fairly steady tendency to ad'
vance. In the fiscal year 1906 (Juiy
1905. to June 80, 1906), the first
full year after the forest service was
mt in charge of the forests, the tim
ho- rece,pts were about $250,O00, in
the fiscal year 1907 something less
than 500, 900, and in 1908 about $3.50,
900. In 1909 the timber receipts drop
ned back to less than $75O,0O0. but in
1910 and again in 1911 were over 81,
100000. and in 1912 were nearly 81,
100000, as against about $1.25O,OoO
for the year just closed.
Forestry officials say that the prin-
cipal factor in determin ng how much
timber will be sold in any given year
is the general lumber market, which
in turn depends largely on general
business conditions. Thus when IN
dications are that period OF brisk de-
msnd Is ahead with increased build
ing activity, railroad construction
mining development and other form
of business expansion call for timber,
operators are seeking contracts.
When business halts lumbermen nat.
urally go slowly in the matter OF com
hitting themselves by new purchases
on a large scale. But cutting under
earl err purchases and small sales con-
tinues even in periods of depression.
The gradual diminution OF outside
sources of supply and the steady de-
velopment of the country which Great
ed increased local demands, tend to
offset the effects of such periods.
As an illustration of this the figur es
for 1907 and the Immediately follow.
ing years are cited. In the fiscal yea,
1907 the forest service sold more TIM,
Der than has been sold in sny latter
year prior to that just closel., Cen
tracts were made covering ever
billion feet, beard measure. But n
the fall of 1907 came business panic
followed by inactivity. Sales in 1905
disposed of less than 400 mill on feet
and in 1909 of less than 800 million
In both these years more timber was
cut under sales than WAS disposed o.
through new sales. The difference
was the result of cutting under the
contracts of earlier years.
Last years sales of over $4,OOO,OO'
worth Of timber does not necessarily
mean prospective income from tim
Der of this large amount in the i'm
mediate future. To bring this abou
there would have to be series OF BIZ
sale years The present year may O.
may not see sales equal TO those o
the last. While general market con
ditions are at present less Favorable
to large commitments than they wer
six months ago, the aggressive saie'
policy now in force, with its oppor
tunities for long-term purchases OF
fair terms where sales are possible Il
no other way, will probably counter
balance to a greater or less degree in
fluences that may tend to. check sales
The need of the country for nationa
forest timber Is growing and ever
year brings normally more or thi
timber within the radius of effectiv
demand. The yearly cut and the II
come from the forests can reasonabl
be expected to rise in the future as
has been rising however the numbe
of sales may fluctuate.