The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-19

pear war has to some extent affected the
Canadian lumber industry, but there is
expectation on the part of the Canadian
lumbermen that unless the American
tariff on lumber be changed so as to be-
come protective tariff they will be
able to place their lumber in the American
markets on a successful competitive basis.
A Confidential Report
This report from one who was for some
years confidential agent of the state
department was made almost confidential
ly. but the time has come when ii is
possible without violation of confidence Ia
publish substantially what he reported
If his investigations will stand the test
then there would seem to be another rea-
son than the one given by Mr.. Krutt-
schnitt for the decentralization of the lum-
Der industry of the United States at this
time Well informed business men are
confident that the country cannot have
its full measure of prosperity unless the
great lumber industry of the United
Ste ties aids in stimulating that prosper
ty, and has its due share of it. IL
Is one of the great industries of the United
States, or should be. It is, or was, an
industry upon which James J. Hill relied
not only for maintaining and increasing
our trade with the Orient, but 1t also
was to be the keystone of the important
structure In the way of railway devel-
opnent upon which he was to rely in some
measure for the profitable opera ton of his
railway system. His railroads carried and
were expected to carry commodities In
large amounts from the east and mid
west throughout the northwestern region
The problem which he had to solve in
volved the question how best to secure
profitable transportation for his railroad
lines operating in an easterly direction.
He counted upon transportation of lumber
not only to the lakes. but also in a south
erly direction and on securing sufficient
transportation to equalize the movement
OF commodities from the midwest and the
south to the northwest.
Mr. Hill also reckoned, as he thought
will. certainty, upon the transportation
of lumber over his railway lines to the
Pacific coast, thence to be exported by
his steamships to the orient. If he had
taker into consideration the fact that
the governmental authorities at Washing
ton would interfere with his traffic rates
he would not have undertaken to establish
the Pacific ocean steamship lines. 1t was
not depression in business nor any danger
of war. but Ii was a governmental regula-
ton or prohibition which compelled Mr.
Hill to abondon his greater plans, and
this IT. part explains the depression In
tn lumber industry in the northwest
The experts are of the one opinion re-
resources. Unless this be done then our
lumber industry will pass away. The late
Charles Hebard, who was one of the larg-
est lumber manufacturers in the upper
peninsula of Michigan for nearly 80 years
was compelled to give up that business
because the pine timber of that peninsula
which, so long rs it could be secured, was
unn etched by any in the United States.
was at last exhausted. Mr.. Hebard used
to say that the upper peninsula of Michi-
gar furnished an object lesson of which
the government and state legislature
should take good heed 1t has been
stripped practically bare of its magnifi
cent timber. Exactly that will happen In
other states. he said, unless measures
are taken to prevent complete destruction
and unless the state provides the means
by which new trees can be set out sc
that in due time they may take the place
OF those which under wise restrictions are
cut for lumber and timber purposes