FOREST POLICY. 31 



a-days, the consuming centres obtain their hard woods as well 

 as their soft woods from the very ends of the country, from the 

 Pacific side and from tiie gulfcoast. 



The cost of transportation from sections where the forests are 

 left intact is so high as to minimise the value of stumpage. As 

 a consequence, the reproduction of stumpage since it is con- 

 sidered of small value is financially undesirable. 



In close proximity to the consuming centres, stumpage if 

 there were any left would be high-priced indeed ; here alone 

 the reproduction of stumpage might pay ; here, however, there 

 is no stumpage left which, when removed, might net the owner 

 a sum of money far in excess of the cost of afforestation, be it 

 afforestation by nature or by man. 



A. FREIGHT RATES ON LOGS AND LUMBER. 



Freight rates on logs and lumber, in the interstate commerce 

 of the United States, are subject to the approval of the Interstate 

 Commerce Commission, Changes of freight rates must be publish- 

 ed 30 days before the time at which they come into effect. The 

 various railroads working one and the same section of the country 

 are in the habit of combining into tariff unions, agreeing as to 

 the freight rates on the various commodities, including lumber 

 and other wood products, which they will charge. 



On the whole, the freight rates on lumber are lower in the 

 United States than they are in the old country. On the German 

 railroads (state railroads), the charge for the movement of logs 

 and lumber is, generally speaking, 5.7 cents per 100 miles and 

 100 lbs. This charge is reduced, in the case of logs in South 

 Germany, to 5.1 cents, and further, in the case of certain Bavarian 

 railroads having a water terminus, to 4.2 cents per 100 miles 

 and 100 lbs. 



The lowest rate charged by the German railroads is that 

 charged for pulp wood, fuel wood, mine props, and railroad 

 ties. Here, up to a distance of 220 miles, 4.2 cents are charged 

 per 100 miles and 100 lbs. Beyond the limit of 220 miles, the 

 rate is reduced to 2.8 cents. 



The lowest rate on lumber made by European railroads seems 

 to be the charge from Austria to Germany and France, which 

 is reduced to less than 2 cents per 100 miles and 100 lbs. for 



