TIMBER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA 779 



In British Columbia, in the Coast district, we waste most of our 

 small timber. Hemlock 12 to 20 inches on the stump is not considered 

 to be worth logging. In almost any logging operations on .the Coast 

 you will see the small hemlock left on the ground ; literally on the 

 ground; for the high lead method of logging breaks down practically 

 all the small timber on the tract, and when the operation is completed 

 it reminds one of a scene in a Belgian forest after it has been de- 

 vastated by the Hun. 



The average timber license on the Coast carries approximately 13 

 million feet of timber; the average amount logged off a timber license 

 during the past 15 years is five million feet. Government licenses 

 have logged as high as 18 million feet, but a great many have only 

 yielded three and four million feet. 



Only the timber on the lower elevations has been logged off, the 

 balance being left a prey to fire and wind storms, which every year 

 claim millions of feet. What is the remedy for this? We cannot 

 force the logger to take off this timber, if by doing so, he cannot make 

 a profit. The average consumer of lumber says he cannot afford to 

 pay fancy prices for lumber in order that the timber may be protected 

 and logged clean. But what will be the ultimate result if we do not 

 stop this waste? Our virgin timber gone, all our wood working plants 

 or the majority of them will be forced to close, and as lumbering is 

 the chief industry of British Columbia we shall suffer a great loss. 



Figures for 1920 give lumbering production as 92 millions of dol- 

 lars. 



Figures for 1919 give lumbering production as 70 millions of dol- 

 lars, one-third as much again as mining and fishing combined, which 

 only total 48 millions. There are many other industries dependent 

 on the lumber industry. Our wire rope plants, iron works, food sup- 

 ply houses, and farmers will all feel the loss. Our salmon canneries, 

 mines, and railroads are large consumers of lumber and will keenly 

 feel the loss of our timber, which will increase their operating ex- 

 penses enormously. 



I have no doubt that you think I am painting a very harrowing 

 picture and one that can never come about, but it has come about in 

 other parts of this continent, and will certainly come about here un- 

 less we can take measures to prevent it. The fact that we can ship 

 lumber across this continent by rail into New York State, to keep the 

 wood using plants there alive, proves it. New York State once was 

 heavily forested like British Columbia. Her requirements today are 



