The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-07-27
Lumber Investigation
Along New Lines.

The plans now being perfected for
the forest service part Of the inquiry
to be made jointly by the departments
Of commerce and agriculture into
timber and lumber-trade conditions
in the United States provide for COW
ering entirely new ground
Lumbee1nen are now admittedly
conducting their operations with a
large percentage OF waste, said to be
largely due to market conditions
which make close utilization unprofi-
table. There is no general agreement
as to the actual causes Of existing
conditions and the responsibility for
present undoubted evils. With rapid
" diminishing supplies Of timber to
draw upon, wasteful numbering has
come to be recognized as a matter Of
serious public concern and an inquiry
to discover the causes and seek for
possible remedies Is regarded by for
est service officials as an urgent need.
Il In believed that the lumber industry
itself recognizes the need and will
welcome an inquiry conducted along
constructive lines
Prfvste capital invested in timber
lands, mills. logging railroads, and
other forms of equipment reach an
enormous aggregate and the lumber
industry, which employs $4,000 per-
sons and has an annual output valued
at Is billion dollars, Is the third
largest IN the country. In seeking to
realize conditions which will safe
guard the public against wasteful
methods Of. timber exploitation. pos
sible timber monopoly, and other OBJ
jecttonable practices while insuring
healthy conditions and fair treatment
for the lumber trade, an understand
ing Of the basic facts Is indispensable.
These facts, however, have never been
ascertafned In their entirety. It is
the purpose Of the Forest Service to
obtain and interpret them impartial
y. In cooperation with the other bu-
reaus assigned to the study.
Lumbermen complain that the car
rytng charges created by interest on
lmg-te Investments, taxes. and cost
OF nre protection where such protec-
ton Is given compel them to operate
even where humber prices will not re-
pay them the costs involved. The ne
cesstty OF operating under these condi-
lions % advanced as the principal
cause Of waste since the market is
most easily gfutted with lumber of
the poorer grades. the public com
plains that the cost Of humber Is 50
high. Over competition may result in
destruction Of timber resources with
no commensurate advantage to the
consumer but with the certainty of
high prices later Yet
Of competition on the part
Of lumbermen with a view to greater
profits for themselves through high
er prices is both contrary to law and
highly Objectionable from the stand
point of public policy. Thus a highly
situation exists. Any at
tempt to adjust the present conflict
Of interests on a basis fair both to
the public and to the lumber industry
demands full knowledge Of all the facts.
Lines OF inquiry provided for by the
plans of the forest service tnclude
the present lumber output and de
mand. the conditions known to the
trade as over production, the effects
upon production and market prices
IF speculation in timber and of carry
Ing charges. producing and distribut-
ing costs including freight and the
charges levied upon the product by
and retailers and the
amount OF waste under present meth
DDS Of exploitation. Special attention
will be given to means of utilizing
ow grades of lumber and by-prod-
lcts
It Is recognized that the national
forests are becoming an increasing
Y important factor in the timber
market through the offerings of gov
eminent stumpage, and this aspect OF
The situation will receive careful anal
ysis The question Of future supplies
and the need for the general prac-
lice of forestry to provide them is
another important part OF the field
% be covered.
From the outset the data gathered
~ the bureau of domestic and foreign
commerce Of the department of COM
nerce will be correlated with those
n possession of the forest service and
he bureau of corporations, to the end
hat a complete and exhaustive study
nay be assured Importations of
.inber products from foreign coun-