The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1962-05-31
Pulpwood Problems
Aired In Article


lens of the Tri-State PulpWood Co
operative Association, Inc. with
the West Virginia Pulp and Paper
company appeared in the Washing
ton Post last Sunday under the
caption Men with AK to Grind
United Against Paper Mill
julius Duscha, staff reporter
told of the struggle Of the pulp
wood producers over the past sixty
five years. On March rs some 400
persons voted to stop hauling pulp
wood to the paper mill at Luke af-
ter year of negotiations that
failed to produce higher wage
for their product
According to the story the pro
ducers have received only one gen
cral price increase in the past 10
years and that amounted to 7 per
cent. In the meantime trucks cost
$4,000 to $4,000, price of tires has
more than doubled, a power saw
sells for $500 or more.
Beginning last summer the
woodsmcn sought to negotiate a
price increase and to settle other
grievances. Minor problems were
resolved but the major ones we're
not settled. The producers get SIS
for a l28-cubic-foot cord of oak and
hardwoods and $3.50 for pine. The
cooperative wanted a price increase
of $3.50 per cord
The company pointed out that it
was in the midst of $50 million
expansion program and could not
raise wood prices.
Sentiment for a boycott began
to crystalizc among producers last
January but members of the CO.
operative decided to postpone az
ton
A few producers earn $1,000 to
$500 a year from pulpwood but
for most of the producers who own
only an Old truck and power
saw. pulpWood provides $500 to 500
a year in "catin' money" they say.
PuipWood producers are not en-
ploycs of the mill They dclivc"
wood to the mill under contracts
that arc handed out by the COM
pany every three months.
Workers in the mills have pro
lection of Federal labor laws. tho
relationship between Woodsmcn
and the mill owners is no different
from what it was Is or 100 ycar
ago.
In Washington, Justice depart
mcnt as well as Agriculture and
Interior department officials are
watching the struggle in the noun
tain areas.
Both mill owners and producers
are watching the outcome of the
dispute in the woods For the past
year Federal grand juriCs in Mich
igan and Wisconsin have been in
vcstigating the pulpwood industry.
SO far the mill at Luke. Whicl
employs 1900 persons and makes
paper for magazines, books. Labels
and packages, has been able 10
keep operating by bringing in wood
by rail from West Virginia Viz
ginia and Pennsylvania but at an
added expense of $500 a day.
Thomas w Hctz, pulpWood pro
duccr who was instrumental in or
ganizing the cooperative and IS
now its business agent reported
last week that the coopcrativc'3
ranks are holding.
There is fear in the woods, Of
telephone calls, threats. court az
lions and violence On May 9 the
company obtained preliminary
injunction in Federal court restrict
ing the pickcting of the company 5
wood yard and prohibiting mem
bcrs of the organization from en-
listing other pulpWood producers
in their boycott.
In obtaining the court order the
company alleged that members Of
the cooperative were engaged in
on action in restraint of trade III
violation of the Sherman and Clay
ton antitrust laws.
There have been five instances
of violence but officials of the co
operative maintain they had moth
ing to do with the boycott. The CO.
operative also argues it was o.
Canizcd under Federal and Mary
land laws that exempt agricultural
"O0pCrativcS from the antitrust
laws A trial is expected to be hello
in June to decide whether the in
junction should be made pCrma-
uCnt
The cooperative was organized
in 1856. 1t underwent a rebirlh il
1851 and is now regarded as one
af the strongest organizations Of
pulpwood producers in the nation.
In addition TO higher prices 70:
their pulpWood the producers also
would like to set up rcvolVing
fund to provide them with credit
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