Ki)rr(;RiAL co.\iMi:.\T 593 



rialistic things and away from spiritual thought. He deplored the loss 

 of the influence of the church over the masses of the people and pointed 

 out that the development of socialism can only spell sin, misery, and 

 ruin. In the absence of organized effort on the part of such men as 

 those of the Congress, he felt that we would be quite helpless and 

 without means to divert the dangers of the situation. He therefore 

 urged the lumbermen to prove their spirituality and to do their duty 

 as American citizens and Christian gentlemen by organized effort along 

 the following lines : 



To seek a modification of the Sherman Act, so as to permit reason- 

 able combinations in trade under proper supervision, and to organize 

 the lumber industry under the Webb-Pomerene Act, so as not to be in 

 competition with the producers of the Xorth American Continent, but 

 with the rest of the w^orld. 



To seek a revision of the shipping laws to permit the American flag 

 to fly at the mastheads of privately owned American ships in com- 

 petition wMth the shipowners of other nations ; and to seek the speedy 

 return of the railroads to their owners under pre-war conditions, unre- 

 strained by restrictive laws. 



To study closely and analyze carefully the condition of the industry 

 and give publicity thereto. The public should be informed that, while 

 the personal touch between employer and employee is gone, a real 

 bond of human sympathy does exist. This bond should be strengthened 

 and industrial strife lessened. 



To support the agencies of Christianity in the promulgation of the 

 faith, thus aiding in diverting human unrest into its proper channels. 



The resolutions adopted by the Congress are similarly devoid of 

 any reference whatever to the productive end of the lumber industry. 

 It is. perhaps, too much to expect an unequivocal declaration from the 

 industry in favor of the practice of forestry on private lands. It does 

 not seem unreasonable, however, to expect the industry to recognize 

 the fact that the perpetuation of the raw material on which its very 

 existence depends is of some importance. Perhaps we might even, 

 without being unreasonable, have looked for at least an expression of 

 willingness to co-operate with the Federal Government along the lines 

 outlined by Mr. Graves. Perhaps, however, we are misjudging the 

 Congress in our interpretation of its attitude- If silence gives consent, 

 the lumber industry can certainly be regarded as thoroughly in favor 

 of radical action along the lines suggested by Mr. Graves and IMr, 

 Culbertson to perpetuate our timber supply. 



The sessions of the American Lumber Congress were followed by 



