100 



against the handicap of heavy freight rates over distances more than 

 twice as great, and entered the market only by virtue of better grades 

 and light weights. 



During the present decade these conditions are again changing rapid- 

 ly, and for the first time western lumber is entering the market on a 

 large scale in direct competition with southern shipments. The propor- 

 tion now stands. Southern states, 54.38 per cent of all conifers ; Western 

 states, 32.78 per cent, or nearly one third of the total ; Lake states. 11.43 

 per cent, and all other sources 1.41 per cent. 



The cut of southern pine is already past its maximum. Another 

 decade will see the position of southern and western supplies reversed, 

 with the Lake states still nearer complete exhaustion. The effect of this 

 process is best brought out by an analysis of the comparative cost of 

 freight on this lumber from the different regions to Chicago. Whenever 

 it becomes necessary to secure the major portion of the lumber for Illi- 

 nois from Washington and Oregon, not only will the freight charges on 

 this lumber for these distances, which are over 2,000 miles, be added to 

 the price of the western lumber, but the same differential or margin may 

 be added to all other lumber of similar grade shipped from near-by points 

 or from the South. 



The regions producing softwoods and hardwoods may be combined 

 and grouped into four general ones: Southern, Western, Lake states, 

 and Central (including Illinois and the Northeast). The supply fur- 

 nished by these respectively is shown in the following table. 



Region 



M. Ft. B. M. 



Per cent of 

 total 



Per cent of 



lumber 



shipped into 



state 



Southern, including North Caro- 

 lina group 



Western 



Lake states 



Central, including Illinois and 

 Northeastern group 



1,201,361 

 608.397 

 3S3.811 



160.093 



2,353.662 



FREIGHT CHARGES 



An exact determination of the freight charges incurred on lumber 

 from outside the state is impossible, but by computing the approximate 

 average weight of lumber per thousand feet, board measure, and, from 

 freight rates, the rate per thousand feet board measure by regions, these 



