The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-07
GOVERNMENT AND LUMBERMEN

-<Ae idSt the government, acting in CO.
operation with leading representatives of
the lumber industry, is Undertaking to
perfect measures which may after a few
Years restore the lumber industry OF the
United States to it's former prominence
representatives of the government to-
gether with representatives of the lumber
industry of the United States, after care
full conference held at Chicago in mid
August, decided to create a commission
and supply it with abundant funds the
commission to be composed of highly
qualihed lumber experts who are to be
sent to Europe for the purpose of inyesti-
eating and making study of conditions
there which, properly handled. might fur
nish market for American lumber.
Much has been said of the necessities
of Europe for commodities which will
aid the belligerent nations in rebuilding
their railroads and Industrial plants, but
it has been assumed that almost all the
commodities devoted to this purpose will
represent American steel and iron indus
tries.
That is a mistaken idea. Severely de-
vastated as Belgium is, nevertheless her
government has sent representatives to
the United States for the purpose of plac-
ing orders for large amount of doors
door stills and window sashes. There will
be a great demand for American lumber
from the European nations a s soon as the
European war closes. 1t will be as i'm.
portant a factor in the rebuilding of their
deva stated industries as will iron and
steel. The expert commission, which in
tn ecourse of few weeks will sail for
Europe will have In it's membership lum-
bermen of the highest qualification for
thorough and scientific investigation 1t
Is the understanding that the government
at Washington will provide the funds
necessary to meet the expenses of two
members of this commission The total
cost will not be heavy. 1t is estimated
that $4,000 for each commissioner will be
sufficient.
On the other hand, the lumbermen must
| finance the cost of at least two and DOS
| sibly four members of the commission,
and there will be no difficulty about rails
! ing the amount needed for this purpose.
| Although the lumbermen will certainly
| have two and may have four members
of the commission, nevertheless the com
| mission itself will be governmental
body, acting under government authority
and orders.
| This effort to quicken the lumber in
dustry of the United States represents
| the influence of the new-created federal
| trade commission, For at the conference
recently held at Chicago. w. H. Parry
and j. F. Davis of the federal trade COM
mission were OF much influence. Their adj
vice was found by the lumbermen to be
admirable. and it was especially gra .ify-
| ing to note that this commission is greatly
| interested in the lumber industry OF the
United States, hoping that it may be able
| to restore it and to assist the lumbermen
| in securing foreign markets.
| The commission Is soon to present re-
port setting forth the present situa ton
of the lumber industry in the United
States and recommending certain meas
ures which in its opinion will serve
greatly to aid that industry. In fact II
f! is to the lumber industry OF the United
states that this federal trade commission
| has given its chief attention since the
commission was organized.
| There is no reason why IL scientific
methods be adopted, IL there be conserva-
| ton of our forest resources. the American
lumber industry cannot regain It's former
importance.