Timber Syndicates Control Lumber
THE great forests of valuable timber in the Puget Sound country are being rapidly acquired by two wealthy syndicates, and the smaller lumber dealers are being forced out of the business. This has already increased the stumpage price one hundred per cent. to those who are permitted by the syndicates to carry on lumbering operations. Some of the lumbermen are not permitted to cut the timber at any price. In this way the cost of lumber to the consumer is being gradually and permanently increased. By refusing to allow as many lumbermen to engage in the business as formerly, they decrease the supply. This artificial decrease in the supply, together with the increase in stumpage rates, has already greatly increased the price of lumber, as it was intended by the syndicates that it should do. In this way will the price of the product be controlled and gradually increased, as has been the case with every other product that has come under the control of the trusts. Great wealth is being systematically used to gather more wealth. The heaping together of treasure, the sign of the last days, is truly here.