Evening star., 1925-03-24
new DRIVE STARTS
TO SAVE LUMBER
Lumbermen Determined to
Reduce Drain on Forests
Throughout South.
BY J. c. ROYLE.
SnecinI Disna fch 70 The Star

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW ORLEANS, March 24.-The
South never is going to see the south :
ern pine industry pass from its hand.
That was the sentiment of represe nta-
tives of the leading lumber companies
of the South, gathered today at the
tenth annual meeting of the Southern
Pine Association here. determined on
a program to reduce the drain on the
forests through more careful utiliza-
tion Of forest products.
The significance of that sentiment
is emphasized by the fact that a care
full survey of the timber resources of
the South shows that 220, 900. 900, 900
board feet of commercial sized south
ern pine still stand.
Will Save Lumber.
The lumbermen are determined that
the supply of this great basic COM
modify shall never be exhausted. The
program agreed on here also gives as
surance of trend toward lower costs
of lumber without jeopardizing the
profits of the manufacturer and timber
owners. The action was taken as a
result Of a determination to acknowl-
edge responsibility to the public and
the Nation for the conservation Of ma
terials now being wasted.
John l.. Kaul of Birmingham, one
of the leading lumbermen of the South.
made il plain, however. that respon-
sibflity does not rest on the lumber
men alone and that cooperation and
assistance must come from the COM
mercial, governmental and agricui-
tural interests and the general public
as Well
Heavy Waste Involved.
The lumbermen point out that they
are facing a problem somewhat SINH
lar to that of the packers in disposing
of their product. The public demands
the best part of the tree in its lumber.
1t will not buy freely the tops and
smaller portions. Porterhouse steak,
Mr. Kaul pointed out, Is much more
expensive than other parts OF a beef
steer
Similarly, products from the tops
and stumps of the trees cost pro-
portionately less than the products
of the trunks. part of the progra m
is to further the use of these piece
Of timber which have been wasted
heretofore.
By-Products Now Saved.
Utilization of forest products al
ready had made tremendous strides
in this and adjoining States. Stumps
and tops are being treated in retorts
for the extraction of turpentine, rosi1
and other chemical products. The
wood remaining is being ground and
turned into paper. Reforestation Is
making rapid progress in mary sec
tions.
Timber land owners point out, how
ever, that no business ever was
known to exist unless il could be
conducted at a profit. They declare
frankly that taxation of cut-oNer
lands under process of reforestation
must be so adjusted that II will pay
them to grow trees for the SO or 70
years required to bring them to COM
mercial size State and Federal au-
thorities they say, must assist with
funds and other cooperative means
In the protection of the forests
Lumber Bill EnerAous.
However, the lumbermen OF the
South are not waiting for assistance.
They arc going ahead on their own
initiative, meeting their share OF the
responsibility to. the public and the
Nation, and hoping that they viii be
helped when that help is needed.
Some $4,000 100000 has been spent
in building construction in the United
States in the last three years. and
probably $4,000, 100000 will be 80
spent before 1927. The step taken to-
day by the Southern Pine men. there
fore, will have a real and personal
effect on the pocketbook of every
prospective builder in the United
States.