January L*5, 1917 



H. B. WEISS, MEMPHIS. TENN.. 

 PRESIDENT 



B. F. DULWEBER. CINCINNATI, O., 



FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT 



L. P. DU BOSE, CHARLESTON, MISS., 

 SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT 



^^^^^^n^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^3^g^^5 



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Gum Shows Great Progress 



The point of greatest significance in the record-breaking increase 

 in membership in the Gum Lumber Manufacturers' Association (125 

 per cent increase in one year), lies in the indication of results that 

 must have been accomplished to make the organization so attractive 

 to manufacturers. The accuracy of that deduction needs no further 

 proof than the general feeling of unqualified satisfaction which one 

 «ncountered wherever lumbermen gathered together at Memphis 

 during the latter days of last week. 



George Watson, secretary of the Southern Cypress Manufacturers' 

 Association, the man who doesn't seem to need any introduction 

 to anybody (he knows them all), cites as one of his axioms that 

 •egotism (or possibly egoism would be better) and optimism go hand 

 in hand. There is certainly no better example of the result-getting 

 powers of justified and progressive egotism (or egoism) than is seen 

 in the gum association. A good deal is heard these days about co- 

 operation. With the gum people there seems to exist a spirit of 

 «ven more than co-operation. Co-operation rather suggests a get- 

 ting together of various lines of interest in a common cause, while 

 the gum people seem to have arrived at the common cause even before 

 they came together. There is no perceptible joining of various small 

 parts, but rather just one big idea that seems to keep all of them 

 moving without a single dissenting vibration. 



And so when the members got together last Saturday morning 

 (January 20) at the Hotel Chisca, Memphis, they came as success- 

 ful pioneers who had found their way and were sure of themselves. 

 They came knowing what had been accomplished and were ready 

 and eager to make provisions for anything further that might add 

 to the prestige and effective work of their organization. 



President H. B. Weiss of Memphis called the meeting to order 

 almost on time. He outlined a record of remarkable progress and 

 told of the surpassing amount of work that was necessary to make 

 possible what has been done. Speaking of work in the future, he 

 €xpressed himself as believing that the association's financial re- 

 sources should be sufBcient to make possible an effective space cam- 

 paign in the future in conjunction with adequate follow-up work. 

 He particularly complimented the intelligent work of the advertising 

 committee and expressed himself as believing the association owes 

 a great deal to that committee. 



Mr. Weiss complimented the membership committee on its increase 

 of 125 per cent during 1916, and thanked the members individually 



for their work in membership building, which helped to make pos- 

 sible this record-breaking increase. 



Secretary Pritchard read his annual report, which follows in part: 



Report of Secretary 



The Gum Lumber Manufacturers' Association was organized three years 

 ago. The record made by this association is one of which we may justly 

 feel proud, especially when we consider the obstacles to be met and over- 

 come. Our work had scarcely began when the European war practically 

 put a stop to the exportation of about 80,000,000 feet annually. Over- 

 production already e.\isted, and consequently for more than one year the 

 gum business was about as desirable as an over-drawn bank account, but 

 in the face of these discouraging conditions the loyal members, having 

 faith in the successful outcome of their efforts, stood by the association and 

 faithfully kept up the work of promoting a wider and more stable market 

 for gum. The wisdom of keeping up the flght became apparent about June. 

 1915, and from that date until the present time there has been a gradual 

 increase in the demand for gum, and this good demand will undoubtedly 

 continue to increase correspondingly with our activities. 



The conditions of the gum industry at the present time, as compared 

 to three years ago, show so much improvement that the worst skeptic will 

 be compelled to admit that the gum association is a success. Our associa- 

 tion is powerful, made so by loyal members. It has lifted the gum industry 

 to a high and respected position, and our program today is devoted entirely 

 to a discussion of our work. 



Our stock and sales reports have been developed until now they represent 

 one hundred per cent cooperation. They furnish our members accurate 

 information as to the exact relation of supply and demand, as well as all 

 other information necessary for keeping well posted on all developments 

 of the market. 



Incidental to our work we receive many inquiries for gum lumber and 

 these are placed before the membership in circular letter form, so that 

 each member may have an equal chance to develop the business. During 

 the .year 1916 we received 458 such inquiries, amounting approximately to 

 42,000.000 feet. 



During the year 1916 the Commercial Rotary Gum Association became 

 affiliated with the Gum Lumber Manufacturers' Association, and the ar- 

 rangement has proven to be of mutual benefit. This arrangement will 

 continue for the year 1917. 



After referring to exhibits of finished gum at various public 

 places, Secretary Pritchard said: 



It seems proper that an outline be given the membership as to what 

 appears to be needed in order to effectively carry forward the purpose of 

 this association for 1917. Our experience has- shown that a conservative 

 advertising schedule, carefully followed up, will, in the long run, produce 

 the most satisfactory and permanent results. It is necessary that we be 

 in position to supply the demand for red gum which we create, and as the 

 ultimate consumer of red gum must get it through the usual channels, our 

 duty, as I see it, is to develop all the agencies through which it must pass 



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