Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1913-08-02
FOREST BUSINESS BREAKS THE
RECORD

RECORD
Washington, July 27.-The national
forest business done during the fis-
cal year which ended June 80 sur
passed all previous records. The re-
ceipts from forests approached ST.
500, 900, of which about one-half was
for the timber, while contracts en-
tered into for the sale of timber to
be cut either at once Or In later
years totaled about $4,0O0,O00 These
sale contracts permit the cutting Pc
riod to extend over a number of
years when large bodies of timber
are involved.
Under existing laws IS per cent
Of the gross receipts, or between
100000 and 100000, will go to the
benefit of the states in which the
forests are situated, for schools and
roads.
The records show that the volume
of sales contracted for In different
years fluctuates widely, with ups
and downs according to general con-
ditions, while the actual cut has
shown a fairly steady tendency to
advance. In the fiscal year 1906
| July /, 1905, to June 80, 19O6), the
first full year after the forest SER
vice was put in charge of the for
!, ests, the timber receipts We're about
$3.50, 900, in the fiscal year 1907 some
thing less than 100000, and In 1908
about $S50,OOO. In 1909 timber re-
ceipts dropped back to less than
$750,000, but in 1910 and again in
1911 were over $1,OOO,OOO, and in
1912 we're nearly $1,10O,O00, as against
about $1,25O,OOO for the year just
closed.
y Forestry officials say that the prin'
cipal factor In determining 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 q period OF brisk
demand is ahead, with increased
: bu lding activity, railroad construction
i, mining development, and other forms
of business expansion that call fol
lumber or timber, operators are seek
ing contracts. When business halti
lumbermen naturally go slowly II
the matter of committing Themselves
g by new purchases on large scale
But cutting under earlier purchases
and small sales continues even II
periods of depression. The gradua
diminution of outside sources of sup
ply and the steady development o
= the country, which creates Increases
!, local demands, tend to offset the Ell
= fects of such periods.
AS an illustration of this the fie
:. ures for 1907 and the immediatel
following years are cited. In tn
fiscal year 1907 the forest servic
sold more timber than has been sol
in any later year prior to that JUS
closed. Contracts were made cove
ing over a billion feet, board mes
sure. But in the fall of 1907 cam
business panic, followed by inactivit.
:. Sales in 1908 disposed of less tina
400 million feet, and in 1909 OF les
than 300 million. In both thes
years more timber was cut undt
sales than was disposed OF throug
new sales. The difference was IL
:, result of cutting under the contrac
, of earlier years.
= Last years sales of over $4,OOO,0'
worth of timber does not necessari
mean a prospective income from til
. Der of this large amount In the IL
mediate future. To bring this abo
there would have to be series
% big sale years. The present YET
may or may not see sales equal
those of the last. While gener
market conditions are at present lie
favorable to large commitments thi
they were six months ago, the a
ms gressive sales policy now in fore
he with its opportunities for long-ter
nnrchases ON fair terms where sal