34(1 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



December in. 1017 



V)SyKi4BiroiWM;)!WOTtl!)!TOTO!)5Wil?OT^ 



-llurd maple, beecli, oak, bncklieri-.v, blrcli, rock elm. and white 



Pertinent Information 



Southern Carriers Ask for Rate Changes 



J. H. Townslienil, secretary ninniiKer of the Southern Hardwood Trafflc 

 Association, has been advised by several southern roads 



That Ibc Soutbern carriers are goinj; to ask the Interstate rommerce 

 Commission, In conjuncllon with eastern lines, to grant authority for 

 advances of 1! to :{ cents per hundred pounds on hardwood luinbcr ship- 

 ments from all producing points In the South, from the .Atlantic on the 

 east to the Hlo Grande on the west, to di'stlnulions In Eastern Trunk Line 

 terrltctrv. 



That they contemplate the cancellation of all water and rail rates and 

 nil water competitive rates from the Southeast and Carolina territory to 

 eastern points and making the rates to Huffalo rittsburgh on the lowest 

 coniliinatlon. ,,,.,... 



That they further contemplate advancing rates from all Mississippi 

 points to Virginia cities from 24 cents to 2'J cents, or within 3 cents of 

 the rate to Haltlmore. 



That they will readjust rates from all Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas 

 points to eastern destinations, with some slight possible reductions. 



Mr. Townsbend says that, while advances in some instances may be 

 as high as 5 to 6 cents per hundred pounds, the general effect will be an 

 advance of 2 to .•? cents per hundred poumls. He says further that the 

 advances now proposed would be considerably less than those asked in the 

 l."> per cent rate case which they are supposed to supplant, amounting to 

 about 7 \'i per cent. 



.lust before leaving for Washington to prepare the way for the volun- 

 teer committee representing the joint conference of the Southern Hard- 

 wood Trafflc Association and the Southern Logging Association, with a 

 view to securing relief from the intolerable transportation conditions 

 alTectluK the manufacture and distribution of southern hardwoods, Mr. 

 Townshcnil stated that the trafflc association had not disclosed its attitude 

 toward this newest proposal on the part of the carriers, but intimated that 

 tills would receive attention as oon as he returned from Washington. 



Help fo- the Railroads 



The Interstate Ccmimerif (.'ommissii>n Hied a special report on, December 

 1 with the .Senate and House of Representatives, concerning the situation 

 of the railroads In the crisis produced in transportation by the war. The 

 following extracts show the trend of the report : 



Since the outbreak of the war in Kurope, and especially since this coun- 

 try was drawn into that war, it has l)iTonie increasingly clear that unihca- 

 tlon in the operation of our railroads during the period of conflict is in- 

 dispensable to their fullest ulilization for the national defense and wel- 

 fare. Thev must be drawn, like the individual, from the pursuits of peace 

 and mobilized to win the war. This uniflcation can be effected in one of 

 two ways, and we see but two. 



The sudden, unforeseen, and unprecedented demand for transportation 

 occasioned bv the war placed a strain upon the facilities and equipment 

 of the railroads which they were not and are not prepared to meet. There 

 was created a need for immediate and extensive additions to existing facili- 

 ties and equipment. This neeil is coincident with demands upon capital, 

 as well as upon labor, manufactures and natural resources, such as we 

 have never known. Important additions and betterments will require new 

 capital. 



Even if the railroads have more money, the Immediate construction ot 

 Iteeessarv facilities and equipment could not readily be effected. Labor is 

 scarce and the cost is mounting. So with materials and supplies. Car 

 and locomotive builders are largely engaged in producing equipment needeil 

 abroad, both bv our allies and by our own forces in the conduct of the war. 

 The steel and other materials needed for such construction, as well as the 

 labor are also needed in other phases ot the conflict. Under such condi- 

 tions, and pending the acquisition of such additional facilities and equip- 

 ment, it is indispensable that those now in existence should be used t(» 

 their fullest capacity, primarily for tbi' uses which are most vital to the 

 country's defense and welfare, but without unnecessary himlrance to the 

 industry and commerce of our people upon which their ability to contribute 

 toward the success of the war so birgel.v depends. 



If the unitication Is to be effected by the carriers they should be enabled 

 to effect it in a lawful way. To that end, in our judgment, the operation 

 ot the antitrust laws, except in respect of consolidations or mergers of 

 parallel anfl competing lines, as applied to rail and water carriers sub- 

 ject to the act to regulate commerce, and of the antipoollng provision of 

 section .T of that act. should be sus|ienileil iluring the period of the war. 

 and until further action by the Congress. In addition they should he pro- 

 vided from the government treasury with financial assistance in the form 

 of loans or advances for capital purposes in such amounts, on such con- 

 ditions, and under such supervision of expenditure as may be determined 

 by appropriate authority. As a necessary cf>ncomitant the regulation of 

 security issues of common carriers engaged in Interstate commerce should 

 be veste<l In some appropriate body, as has been recommended in our annual 

 reports. The rights of shippers for reasonable rates and noinliscrimina- 

 tory service under the present jurisdiction of the commission nei'd not be 

 seriously Interfered with by such unilied c<uitroI. Some elastic provisions 

 for establishment of new routes wonirl prolial)ly be needed. 



Woods for Government Boxes 



Standard specifications for packing boxes for the army have been promul- 

 gated by the War Department. The specifications go into complete details 

 regarding the kinds, sizes, grades and thicknesses of lumber to be used, the 

 styles of boxes required and the number ot cleats and nails necessary to 

 give the desired strength. For purposes of manufacture the principal 

 woods used for boxes are classified in four groups, as follows : 



GROrr 1 — White pine, norway pine, aspen, spruce, western yellow pine, 

 Cottonwood, yellow poplar, baisain fir, chestnut, sugar pine, basswood. 

 cypress, willow, noble fir, magnolia, white fir, buckeye, cedar, redwood, 

 butternut, cucumber, alpine fir, and lodgepole pine. 



Guori- 2 — Southern yellow pine, hemlock, Virginia and Carolina pine, 

 Douglas fir, larch. 



Grotp 3 — White elm, red gum, sycamore, pumpkin ash, black ash, black 

 sum, tupelo, maple, soft or silver. 



Gitoi'i' 

 ash. 



The thickness of the lumber to be used in making boxes and the length 

 ot the nails Is varied according to these lumber groupings. In order that 

 every advantage may be taken of the natural strength of the particular 

 kind of timber used. 



Forest Service Appropriation Asked 

 A|iproi>rIatlons aggre;;.-illng .f."i.T:il,iiiio ,nc askc-.l of c-.iiii;rcss for the next 

 fiscal year for the United States forest service. In estimates just received 

 by congress. Other estimates submitted include .?.">O0.U0i) tor care ot 

 Indian timber, etc.. If.lOO.OOO for protecting timber on the public domain, 

 ,$S:i,OUO for Investigating tree diseases, and $240,448 tor fighting the white 

 pine blister rust. 



Interstate Commerce Matters 

 The Interstate Commerce Commission ccintinuc-i to receive applli'atlons 

 from the carriers and their agents for approval of tarilTs they would like 

 to file raising the rates or charges on lumber and lumber products in vari- 

 ous ways. Among thi' applications recently received of this character are 

 the following : 



From Missouri I'aclllc H. I!., proposing cancellation of tariff I. C. C. No. 

 A-Om (tarlir No. '.tM-V.i. involving increase of 2..''i i-euts \i<-r Hid iiounds in 

 the rates on shaved hoops, carload.s, from Chamois. .Mossiron and St. 

 Aubert. Mo., to Chicago, III. 



From (Jreat Northern Ky., proposing non-application of the rates on 

 cffoperage. Including wooden pails, barrels, casks, etc.. from Cohasset and 

 Hill City, Minn., to Missouri River and other points published in tariff 

 I. C. C. No, A-4.?.jo (G. F. O. No. 8i).->-E). 



From Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Ry.. proposing Increase from 

 13 to 14 cents per 100 pounds in the rates on Inniber. staves, heading and 

 tan bark, carloads, from Kridgeport and Orme .lunctlon. .Via., and Richard 

 City and South Pittsburg, Tenn. (when from certain Tennessee River land 

 Ings or Southern Rv. stations) to Urookport and Metropolis. III. (when for 

 beyond), published in tariff I. C. C. No. 220(i-A (Northern ami Western 

 Lumber Tarilf No. .3). 



From Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Ry.. proposing iiureases ranging 

 from I;, cent to 3 cents per 11)0 [pounds in the IiuhImm- rates between Mil- 

 waukee" and Granville. Iron Kidge, (Jraftoii and other points in Wisconsin 

 named in I. C. C. B-Nos. 278 and 3302). 



From Missouri Pacific Rv., proposing cancellation of Eldorado & Kastrop 

 Ry 1. C. C. No. 17 (M. P. R. R. tariff No. 2781) involving Increases in rates 

 on lumber and forest products of 6 cents per 100 pounds from White, .and 

 OH cents from Venice, Ark., to Natchez, Miss. 



From Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Ry., proposing cancidlation of rate 



of 13 cents per 100 pounds, carloads minimum weight 3<i.iMiO i»ounds, on 



shingles from Duluth, Minn., and Superior. Wis., tcj Chicago. luibllshed in 



I. C. C. No. C-93S6 (tariff No. 10!t77-K) and application in lieu thereof of 



' 12 cent rates with scaling carload minimum weights. 



M. P. Washburn, agent, proposing restrictions to cordwood only of wood 

 carload rate from Gulfport, Miss., to New Orleans, La., imblished in Item 

 57, page 71, ot tariff I. C. C. No. 189 (G. P.-M. V. tariff N.., 2). 



(Jreat Northern Ry.. proposing Increases in carloail minimum weight to 

 30,000 pounds for cars under 36 feet in length and 34.iioii pounds tor cars 

 3(i feet or over in length, in connection with the rates on lumber and other 

 forest products between points in Minnesota, piibllshe'l in tariff I. C. C. 

 No. A-SH.j.'i. 



Southern Ry. System (New Orleans & Northeastern R. R.). proposing 

 elimination of the Louisiana Ry. Co. as a participant in the lumber rates 

 to points published in New Orleans & Northeastern R. R.. I. <". C. No. 278."> 

 (Tariff No. (!40-D). 



Missouri Pacific R. R.. proposing cancellation of rales on lumber, etc., 

 from Ouachita & Northwestern Ry. stations to C. F. .\. trunk line and other 

 territories, via T. & G. .Tiiuction. La., Fremont & Gulf Ry.. and Rochelle. 

 La., published in tariffs I. C. C. A-Nos. 2726. 2887. 3127. 3213 and 3308 

 (tariffs Nos. 1503-D. 111)-F, 49.'i3-I3. 3793-D and 42(r2-Cl. 



Another matter taken up at Washington recently was the recommenda- 

 tion of the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association that a special 

 charge for reconsignment ot lumber be made effective as a war measure. 

 This matter has been laid before the railroad war board. 



The free time allowed on lumber and other export freight is to be 

 reduced from 1.5 days to 10 days at north Atlantic ports and from 10 

 days to 7 days at Gulf ports under the recent decision ot the Interstate 

 Commerce Commission in the suspension case entitled export freight free 

 time. The commission rejected the railroads" proposal to reduce the 

 free time on export freight at both sets ot ports to .'J days. 



The lumber traffic affected passed chiefly through the Gulf ports. It 

 was not proposed to change the practice of no limit of time on shipments 

 moving under through export bills ot lading, held at New Orleans, Mobile 

 or Pensacola. Commissioner Walley made the report in the case, Com- 

 missioner Harlan dissented, holding that the reduction ot free time sought 

 by the carriers should be allowed ; while Aitchison and Anderson, who are 

 new men on the commission, took no part in the disposition ot the case. 



The" commission heard oral arguments in the complaint ot Laona & 

 Northern Ry. against Chicago & Northwestern Ry. The complainant is 

 said to be controlled by the Connor Land & Lumber Company. B. R. 

 Goggins pleaded for the complainant that the defendant should restore 

 allowances paid to complainant before the commission decided the tap line 

 case, for service performed in getting many cars of lumber, etc., to the 

 trunk line, and to pay reparation at the rate ot $2 per car for the past 

 several years, and to establish joint rates with complainant and pay its 

 divisions out ot the same on business handled. Intrastate shipments in 

 a state proceeding are based on the same proposition. 



R. H. WIddicombe argued for the Northwestern that the complainant 

 had not filed tariffs providing for allowances and divisions and that there- 

 fore no claim for the same could legally be paid. 



The next day arguments were heard in the complaint of Cornell Wood 

 Products Company against the Santa Fe Ry. Defendant waived argu- 

 ment In this case and the only speaker was W. E. Lamb, representing 



