The Alaska daily empire., 1923-01-30
MACK|E 6 BARNES. IN ALASKA LUMBER
Investigating Logging Condl- tions - May Consolidate
 Output for Export.

aska, for exportation to Japan, is be ing considered by Mackie Barnes exporters of Seattle. according to the statement of Henry K. Ort, spe cial investigator for the concern. MT Ort arrived in Juneau on the steamer Spokane. He is here to investigate logging conditions in this district. to determine the possibilities for a per manent business between the saw mill interests and his firm.
 Mackie & Barnes will not enter into the venture unless there is as surance of a permanent business, MT. Ort said Should they undertake the business they will handle the exportation of the entire output Of lumber of the mills in Southeastern Alaska, with the exception of orders for local consumption. They will send their own ships, chartered from the U. $. Shipping Board, 10 carry the lumber cargoes. direct from All aska to Japan, making the trips as often as cargoes are ready for snip ment A branch office from the Se- attle headquarters will be maintained in Ketchikan Wrangell or Peters burg, the definite location having not yet been made. MT Ort will he in charge of the Alaska office.
 Operate to Capacity
 "The handling of the lumber out nut of the mills in this district, by Mackie & Barnes, will mean that each mill will be taxed to capacity output. during the entire season, and will operate two shifts" said MT. Ort. "The overhead expenses en- tailed in operating under the present conditions will be considerably low cred and the mills will be assured a permanent market for their lumber. Mill owners will be relieved of the business of getting orders for each season. this business being handled entirely between our Seattle and foreign offices. and will know from year to year what their seasons work will be. Loggers will also be assured of steady business.
 Realize Profit
  business so that mill owners will realize a good profit on the seasons output It is the firms policy to establish a business which will yield a good profit to every interest and unless this Is realized, the business is not started.
 'I believe existing conditions will warrant Mackie & Barnes going into the business of handling the export ing of lumber from the mills in this district. I have conferred with the forest officials here and they are interested in Mackle & Barnes oper- ating in Alaska. I have been given valuable information concerning log ging conditions in this district and from which I am assured there is every possibility that the business can be carried on a permanent basis.
 Favorable Proposition
 "I did not meet MT. Rutherford, manager of the Juneau Lumber Mills. in Seattle. but I am of the opinion that the proposition will meet with his approval I am also confident that the mill men in the towns south of Juneau will enter into business with Mackie & Barnes,
 "I expect to spend some time at Petersburg in the interest of getting the mill there in operation. If 1t cannot be operated by local inter ests ii will probably be taken over by outside interests.
 "Mackie & Barnes want every mill in operation and the capacity output of lumber from every mill, if they enter this field. The firm Is in the business especially for cedar. which has good market in Japan, but this wood alone could not make the busi- ness profitable and all lumber will he handled"
 Make Report
 MT. Ort expects to return to Sc. att'e in a short time. when he will make his report on his investigations in Alaska, and if it is decided satis- factory arrangements can be made for entering the Alaska field. The Seattle office will immediately take up the business with the office in Japan, for the placing of orders. Orders should be received early in the summer, when operations in the Alaska mills would begin.
 Mackie & Barnes is one of the largest lumber exporting firms on tbs Pacific Coast. It handles nearly sl the exporting business from the Grays Harbor district in Washing ton, and from other lumber districts oi the North Pacific Coast. operat- ing number of ships
 MT. Ort expects to leave Juneau on the Jefferson for Petersburg. From there he will go to Wraneell to confer with lumbermen at that place and will then go to Ketehi. kan. returning to Seattle.
 Provided his firm enters this field he will return to whichever town .n the southern district is decided on for the branch office of the firm, accompanied by Mrs. Ort, to make their future home.