The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-05-16
Northwest Lumber Men Propose
More Training for Loggers
System Of Practical Education to be Given in Camps Will Mean Big
Increase in Enrolment Of Forestry Schools

That the logging men of the
Northwest are waking up to the fact
that they need a little more, educa-
ton in their business is indicated by
statements of leaders in the industry
appearing in a recent issue of the
"Timberman". An extensive course
of practical education is proposed,
which, if adopted, will mean a ire
mendous drain upon the school Of
forestry of the universities of the
Northwest in supplying teachers and
directors.
1t used to be the fashion for the
logging boss to gather a gang OF
huskies and wade into the woods,
picking out the best timber and haul
ing it out in the manner most con-
venient to them. Now that we are
feeling the effects of unwise and
careless cutting in the past, the big
timber men are trying to find a way
to curtail the immense waste of time
and lumber that is constantly going
on. A. l.. Mcdonald, writing in the
"Timberman", says: "There is less
efficiency in the logging camps. of
the Northwest than in any other bust
ness that I can recall, where SO much
money is involved" W. E. Herman
in the same paper says, "To put x
pensive machinery in the hands of the
all too common rough and ready man
is little short of criminal"
The concensus of opinion seems to
be that the logger should be educa-
ted. How this can be done has not
been decided. Some of the bosses
think that cheap, easily decipherable
technical books on steam engines,
gas engines, and even the much mis-
used block would be fine to have in
every camp. Most of them think that
the best and most efficient way would
be to have travelling lecturers go
from one camp to another. What
ever the method, it must be carried
out right in the camp where things
can be actually illustrated to the
men. j. L. Brice says, "Teach the
donkey fireman how to put in and
maintain a fire; to hold a uniform
steam pressure; to utilize the less in
valuable timber for fuel; and the
care of fire-box and boiler. Teach
the choker mar how to put on the
choker in the most approved manner
with the greatest despatch; what log /
to take first and next; what end to
choke, etc. Teach the rigging singer
how best to set his lines to facilitate
the yarding out of a certain section
of timber. Teach the hook tender
how to pick out donkey settings that
will expedite and economic yarding
operations with a minimum of work
for the rest of the crew"
Very evidently, the work of instruc-
ton would be of a very practical
It seems that a great new
field will soon be open to foresters,
especially those who have had prac-,
Uical experience in the woods-a
great opportunity to help the loggers
to help the lumber com.
and to aid the government.
say that education will
10 much to do away with the strikes
hat have SO seriously prevented the
scheduled shipments of timber so
BADLY needed for airplane construc-
ion. We wv it to Uncle Sam to cut
Town as much as possible the cost Of
his airplane spruce, for which he is
$130 per M.
It is more than probable that all
he colleges of the Northwest will
initiate courses designed to
it young men for this practical
eaching. The work promises to be
unusually pleasant and profitable to
hose who are interested in logging ]
r forestry. :