LOGGING IN THE DOUGLAS FIR REGION. 131 



used, with this or any overhead system of yarding is much the same 

 as in the case of a ground system, there is some difference in the 

 character of the work performed and the wages paid some members 

 of the crew. 



The crew used for skidding, loading, and rigging generally con- 

 sists of from 16 to 18 men, made up as follows : 



Skidding crew : 



1 skidding engineer. 

 1 fireman. 

 1 wood buck. 



1 hook tender. 



2 or 3 clioker men. 

 1 unhooker. 



1 signalman. 

 Rigging crew : 

 1 head rigger. 



3 assistant riggers. 

 Loading crew : 



1 loading engineer. 

 3 loaders. 



This crew is used in connection with a wood-burning skidder. If 

 oil or coal is burned, a wood buck is not necessary. Sometimes five 

 riggers are necessary. A knotter should be added to this crew, unless 

 knotting is considered a part of the operation of felling and bucking. 



The fireman, wood buck, hook tender, choker men, and signalman 

 are paid approximately the same wages as in the case of the ground 

 yarding system. For a discussion of the wages paid the loading engi- 

 neer and loader, see the section headed " Loading." A skidding engi- 

 neer, as a rule, is paid more than a ground yarding engineer, the 

 wages of the former ranging from $4 to $5 per day. A head rigger is 

 paid from $5 to $6 per day ; the assistant riggers about the same as the 

 choker men. ' 



It is roughly estimated that a crew handling 40,000 feet per day 

 costs about $50 per day ; one handling 60,000 feet per clay, about $55 

 per day; one handling 70,000 feet per day, about $60 per day; one 

 handling 80,000 feet, about $63 per day ; one handling 90,000 feet per 

 day, about $66 per clay ; and one handling 100,000 feet per day, about 

 $66 per day. 



One crew, handling about 80,000 feet per day in large, second- 

 growth timber on rolling ground, cost about $63 per day, as follows : 



1 skidding engineer $4. 50 



1 fireman 2. 75 



1 wood buck 2. 75 



Ihook tender 6.00 



1 choker man 3. 50 



2 choker men, at $3.25 6. 50 



1 unhooker 3. 50 



