Evening journal., 1915-08-28
SATURDAY AUG. %. 1915
REPUBLICANS CONSTRUCT AND DEMOCRATS
DESTROY.


pr%HE lumber trade quite naturally reflects indus
4 trial conditions throughout the country. Lum
Der is peculiarly constructive material There 10
steady and growing demand for it when the country
is going ahead and comparatively little demand when
enterprise is at a standstill When times dull few
built in the cities erection of business
blocks is suspended farmers put up buildings,
repairs old buildings in both city and country are
postponed The steel industry and gross earnings of
railroads are frequently accepted barometers of
industrial conditions but they not accurate
the lumber trade. indicators Of business condi-
tons
Among all the manufacturing industries of the
United States, numbering is the leader in number Of
employees engaged. over billion dollars is invested
in saw mills and probably twenty billions more in
standing timber The industry, under normal condi-
tons. gives employment TO about 100000 men whose
wages compare favorably with those received in other
s occupations Eighty per cent OF the gross price Of
lumber goes to labor. farm products and transpora-
ton Lumbermen the largest buyers of farm pro-
ducts and they furnish the railroads with the largest
number of cars of freight
Laundering therefore not only reflects conditions in
other industries but very greatly affects those indus
tries laundering is the chief industry in more than
dozen States and large industry in half the States
OF the Union. There $4,000 mills or an average
OF 1000 to each State.
On the Northern shores of the Great Lakes and in
British Columbia lumber producers have several ad-
vantaees over American mills Wages less in all
Canadian numbering districts. The government owns
the lumber land and sells the timber TO the mill as
needed thus relieving the mill owner OF the great ex-
pense of taxes and and loss by fire. In the
Great Lakes region the Canadian operator has large
advantage because he transports his product chiefly
by water and gets the cheaper water rate The Brit
& ish Columbia lumberman has advantage in being
permitted to ship in Canadian or British bottoms
while American lumber going from one American port
10 another must shipped in American boat built
by American labor and manned by American seamen
living under American conditions and receiving Amer
lean wages
Formerly these advantages partly offset by
protective tariff but Democratic Congress repealed
the tariff threw markets open to the Canadian
producer. General depression in all industry cur.
tailed the demand and then the Canadian lumbermar
invited to supply large part of the demand thai
remained The Canadian Government however. was
not careless of the interests of it's people It main
tanned a protective duty the higher grades of um
Der which American mills could produce in competi
ton with Canadian mills and also prohibited the ex
port of logs to be manufactured in this country
laundering is today thriving industry in Canad
while American mills running short time ant
reduced wages closed down entirely. Many mills
in effort to keep their employed cut timber il
excess of any prospective demand and piled il thei
yards to deteriorate with age while they pay take
and insurance upon it.
American tariff thinkers practically parayzed tn
chief industry Of the country while Canada dligent
and integently looked after the welfare of her pee
pie But since Democratic leaders insist upon it, W
must stand by the President" and not question tn
wisdom Of legislation which he demanded.