36 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



having higher rates, it is a good guess that no serious objection would 

 be encountered. 



' ' I realize that a conference of this kind would be no afEair of a 

 day, nor the business of a boy, but rather one of weeljs and demand- 

 ing the attention and best thought of those well equipped by ex- 

 perience and responsibility. And, too, it should have the advice and 

 council of one or more members of the commission, sitting informally. 

 A conference of such scope could scarcely fail of results of vast 

 consequence to all concerned. ' ' 



As an instance of rate inequality which might be considered in 

 conference, take the range of rates between the Mississippi and the 

 Missouri rivers, where the spread is from sixty cents on first class 

 down to six cents on commwdity. Without alleging that either of 

 these be too high or unduly low it is unquestionably a fact that along 

 the way are numberless eases where greater equality would be had 

 through realignment. 



To turn to a closer view of detail, let it be assumed that a con- 

 ference of this character be decided upon; then arises the question of 

 how to proceed with it. In fitting detail to any plan there are gener- 

 all> a variety of ways in which to proceed, hence the first coming to 

 mind may not prove the best one, so in this instance the suggestion to 

 follow is tentative; merely an outline to point a possible way: 



Assuming there be a docket containing a compilation of rate 

 changes proposed, together with a call for a conference with shippers 

 for a discussion of the same in an endeavor to reach an agreement, 

 with the assembling of the carriers and shippers it is easy to predict 

 that the gathering would readily decide upon a method of procedure 

 and quickly resolve itself into an efficient working organization. But 

 to enter somewhat further into detail: 



In the absence of a better suggestion, one plan to follow would be 

 that of making up a presiding committee of, say, five, two of them 

 to be selected by the carriers, two by the shippers and these to agree 

 upon the fifth. The body so constituted to hear testimony and evi- 

 dence from both sides, examine and cross-examine witnesses and by 

 other proper means endeavor to arrive at a fair and equitable con- 

 chision on the questions at issue. 



Though any conclusion reached by a committee so constituted and 

 under such circumstances would carry no legal authority, the moral 

 influence should be material. A report from a committee of this 

 kind should, at least, carry conviction to the conferring principals, and 

 at the same time convey to the minds of the Interstate Commerce 

 Commission an unmistakable expression of opinion. An opinion so 

 expressed ought to command, and doubtless would receive, the serious 

 consideration of that body. 



Only by giving this or some similar plan a trial could it be deter- 

 mined to what exent the various conmumities concerned might be in- 

 terested, but the simple fact that those participating would have 

 voice in the selection of the presiding committee encourages the belief 

 that the representation would be complete. Further than this, I much 

 mistake the prevailing sentiment if in a conference of the kind the 

 ■ shipping interests would not be found ready to co-operate, and to 

 ' ' give and take ' ' to all reasonable extent. 



In giving expression to these thoughts the writer does not assume 

 that the last word has been uttered for solving the problem under 

 consideration, but does submit that until there is made a real eifort 

 for solution of the freight rate question (by co-operation) it cannot 

 be claimed fairly that the carriers and the shippers have discharged 

 their obligations in this respect. 



^> i : ffl:agwsatiiKB^tWTOtm:TO& ai^^ 



Cotton-aood is the tree best 

 suited for windbrakes in the Mid- 

 dle West if planted on good, moist 

 situations, on river bottoms, or, in 

 the extreme eastern part of the 

 region, on rolling uplands. Best 

 results are secured by planting the 

 trees in belts from one hundred 

 and twenty-five to one hundred and 

 fifty feet wide, running east and 

 west. The tree is not long-lived, 

 but grows more rapidly than any 

 other native tree within its range, 

 so that at the end of a few years 

 it yields a good rental in fuel. If 

 the trees are not cut until about 

 forty-five years old they will be 

 approximately ninety feet high. 



The wood of Cottonwood is 

 light, soft and spongy and in a 

 natural state is not durable in con- 

 tact with the soil. The lumber has 

 value, however, for a great many 

 purposes, particularly in localities 

 Where other timber is scarce. In 

 the prairie states Cottonwood is 

 worth about ten dollars per thou- 

 sand board feet on the stump, and 

 two dollars per cord for fuel. The larger trees contain a very large 

 proportion of merchantable lumber, and eighty per cent of the total 

 volume. It is suitable for rough construction, bridge planking, box 

 boards, backing in veneers, the sides and bottoms of drawers, wood 

 pulp and matches. If properly treated with creosote the smaller sizes 

 are well adapted for pasts for which there is an increasing demand. 



Iri addition to its value for windbreaks cottonwood also pays 



FINE IJKOVE OF TKN-YF.\H (ILH ( 

 ELMORE. F-VRIBAII.T CorXTV, 

 ALLY STRAIGHT AND CLEAR. II 



direct returns from plantations. 

 If the trees are planted along the 

 stream banks in belts from two 

 hundred to three fiundred feet 

 wide, they will prevent the erosion 

 of fertile bottomlands, which was 

 so destructive in many western 

 river bottoms during the floods of 

 last spring. Such a belt of trees 

 will aiford all the advantage of a. 

 levee without exposing the pro- 

 tected land to the danger of a 

 lireak. The trees will break up 

 the current of any overflow that 

 occurs and will help to keep the 

 main current confined to the chan- 

 nel of the stream. Cottonwood 

 should not be planted where the 

 moisture supply of the soil is lim- 

 ited ; but if its roots can reach 

 water it will endure prolonged 

 drought without injury. 



Cottonwood can be grown from 

 seed very readily. Seedlings are 

 so abundantly produced naturally 

 on the sandbars of rivers that 

 nurserymen have no trouble sup- 

 plying the demands of the market 

 from th:s source. For this reason it is seldom necessary to .sow 

 the seed. The wild stock is just as serviceable as nursery-grown 

 sredlings and is much cheaper. Cuttings may also be employed an<l 

 in the case of the Carolina and Norway poplars, it is necessary to use 

 cuttings exclusively since these trees bear no fruit. This is often 

 a decided advantage as the annoyance occasioned by the cotton- 

 covered seeds blowing about is avoided. S. J. K. 



DTTONWOOIJIS ON Low GROUND. 

 .MINNE«I)T.\. BOLES I'NUSU- 

 AiNTEU rixi; ; THINNED TO (5x10 



