﻿Industrial “Cramps” 
 
Editor of the Industrial Workers of the World: Prepare to shed your . . . our tears!! 
Whenever there are any tears to be shed its the duty of our editors, one and all, to shed them—whether or no; rain or snow : 
A tearful tale emanates—yes sirree — emanates heart-rendingly (ding it!) from the convention of the “lumber” supermen, the astute, genteel, gentlemen that are trusted with the sacred trust of wringing profits from the labors of working men in connection with the handling of “the meek and lowly hemlock.” 
(Excuse this writing—it isn’t quite daylight yet). 
“At one time.” Chortles Mr. Osborne.” owners of hemlock timber felt that they had n reasonably secure and certain investment. But this status has been changed, he continued, “all because the genius of man has pierced a short piece of land and united two oceans.” 
He means that “genius” dug a ditch across the istmus— istmus of Panama (how do you spell istmus)? 
(Steam shovels and dredges was the genius) . . . and that western lumber, thus, found eastern markets and made uncertain and insecure hemlock investments. H’m, H’m. I don’t know where in hell and these three states that hemlock is—I can’t find it—but if such there be, Henry Ford will buy it; “Stephenson” will buy it—infact: “Stephensen” says, “See us first.” 
That being settled, let me point out to the barons that western fir and redwood has nothing to do with the hardwood market—that’s what we’re cutting, not hemlock. 
True. 500,000,000 feet of fir went through the canal in 1923; 1,000,000,000 in 1924, and 1,500,000,000 in 1925—but that proves nothing except that the railroads didn’t haul it and are yelpping about it. (Should the canal “plug-up,” 3,000,000,000 feet of fir will ride in state o’er the N. P., G. N., Milwaukee, etc. In 1926—or any other year from now on.) 
“With reference to the tax situation, Mr. Osborne asserted that of every 1,000 feet of lumber purchased by the consumer $5 of the cost went to taxes and workmen’s compensation.” 
And— 
“The tremenduous effect of this new source of supply (Panama) is almost impossible to sense.” 
And— 
“The lumber industry in Florida is very large, yet in the city of Jacksonville there is a large mill and lumber was brought in by outside purchasers and sold there for $10 less per thousand feet than the home producer could sell it for.” 
There’s the tale. Where’s the tears 
Evidently this lumber, sold so cheap, was western lumber and, if it be true, it is clear the western “lumberjack” is working too cheaply—for, reason tells me, when lumber barons haven’t the heart to charge as much as the next one, their workers must be donating their services to such “producers.” 
Here’s $10 per thousand feet they absolutely refuse to grab! 
Dry your tears editor, maybe we can get the workers to accept it.