34 



Hardwood Record — Veneer & Panel Section 



NdVi'iiihcr 1(1. I'.m 



can be no question that veneer should take higher rates 

 than lumber. It has, however, already been indicated 

 that this comparison is not sufficient, but that a compari- 

 son should also be made with the entire range of values 

 of lumber and other articles which carriers accord the 

 base or lumber rates. Upon this point the brief filed on 

 behalf of the Central Wisconsin Traffic Bureau contains 

 the following: 



It is admitted that the average value of thin lumber is greater 

 than the average value of rough lumber, yet it must be borne in 

 mind that the term "lumber" as used by the carriers includes a 

 long list of articles, many of which are as valuable, and some more 

 so, than thin lumber. it is further true that a great deal of thin 

 lumber, or so-called veneer, is one of the least valuable articles in 

 the lumber list, used where it will not show, and thereby enabling 

 the further utilization of the forest. 



There are a good many articles in the lumber list that could be 

 taken out, and, when compared with the average of what was left, 

 that would make about the same showing as that of thin lumber. 



"EASIMOOV" 



The Veneer Tape that is "Up to the 

 Second" can be removed instantly after 

 having served its purpose, without be- 

 ing sanded. Saves time and expense. 



Write for sample coils 



IDEAL COATED PAPER CO. 



The Veneer Tape Specialists 



MAIN OFFICE AND MILLS, BROOKFIELD, MASS. 



The suggestion is made by manufacturers of veneer 

 that it would be proper to charge higher rates for trans- 

 porting veneer manufactured from figured woods, such 

 as quarter-sawed oak, bird's-eye maple, etc., and from 

 woods of value than are charged for transporting veneer 

 made from ordinary woods. It is claimed that such a 

 classification would segregate the highest valued veneers 

 from the less valuable. This suggestion has been adopted 

 in the proposed lumber list, where veneer made from 

 figured woods and woods of value is accorded lumber 

 rates plus I 5 per cent, the same relation that is prescribed 

 between ordinary lumber and lumber manufactured from 

 woods of value. 



JUSTICE OF RATES DISCUSSED 



It is generally accepted by shippers that built-up wood 

 should be rated somewhat higher than lumber and veneer. 

 The relationship prescribed of lumber rates plus I per 

 cent is in harmony with the facts disclosed as to com- 

 parative values and car loading. This percentage is also 

 fair when compared with the prescribed relationship of 

 lumber made from woods of value to ordinary lumber of 

 lumber rates plus 1 5 per cent, which is the relationship 

 suggested by carriers upon the hearing, and when com- 

 pared with the relationship almost universally followed 

 in tariffs at present in effect of lumber rates plus 3 cents. 

 A large part of the production of built-up wood does not 

 come into competition with lumber made from woods of 

 value, but the better grades of built-up wood do, and to 

 accord them a higher basis than lumber made of w^oods 

 of value vkfould obviously be unfair. When woods of 

 value enter into the construction of built-up wood a rate 

 relationship identical with that provided for lumber made 

 from such wood is proper and is herein prescribed. 



It must be admitted that to accord veneer lumber rates 

 and built-up wood lumber rates plus 1 and plus 1 5 per 

 cent will occasion reductions in a large number of rates, 

 and while that is a matter which should by no means hinder 

 a correct reflection of classification elements in the rate 

 relationships established, it should nevertheless be con- 

 sidered. A material loss in revenues on veneer without 

 compensating increases on other articles might justify a 

 change in the base rates. Of course as to veneer such 

 reductions will be confined to veneer under one-eighth 

 or one-sixteenth inch in thickness, as the case may be. To 

 just what extent such reductions will affect revenues it is 

 hard to estimate. Undoubtedly many of the rates in 

 which large reductions w^ill occur do not at present move 

 any of the traffic. Generally where there is a consider- 

 able movement the rates have been brought down some- 

 where near the level of the lumber rates, although in 

 many cases they are still appreciably higher. 



Mr. Esch quotes numerous rates on veneer from differ- 

 ent parts of the country, showing that rates are not pro- 

 portionately the same in different regions, but those from 

 the southwestern region are lower than from the south- 

 east, and adds: "The practice of carriers in the south- 

 west should be considered as having some bearing upon 

 what are reasonable rates upon these commodities and 

 upon the reasonableness of the proposed rate relation- 

 ship to lumber rates." 



Nearly eight times as much veneer is made by the rotary 

 process as by slicing and sawing. More than half of the sawed 

 and sliced veneer is white oak, and the second largest produc- 

 tion is from mahogany. Not quite half of the mahogany veneer 

 is made by sawing and slicing, and about two-thirds of the white 

 oak. 



