38 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



January 25. 19t7 



tee, referred again to the list of new members formerly read by the 

 secretary. 



Secretary Fish of the National Hardwood Lumber Association re- 

 viewed the close connection which Indiana has always maintained 

 with his organization. He stated that of the ten presidents who 

 have held office in the twenty years of existence of his association, 

 six have come directly or indirectly from Indiana. 



Getting to the question of inspection and grading rules, Mr. Fish 

 emphasized the need for presenting any proposals for changes in 

 inspection to the inspection rules committee not later than the date 

 of its meeting in Chicago, March 14, 15 and 16. Any changes sub- 

 mitted at that time will be given all due consideration, but it will 

 be impossible under the by-laws to consider any suggestions sub- 

 mitted later. In referring to various conferences with delegates of 

 woodworkers, Secretary Fish said that the executive committee of 

 the National association has ruled against further conferences be- 

 cause of the impracticability of getting together that committee of 

 the National organization, which is composed of men who reside 

 in twelve or fifteen different states. The executive committee has 

 hence requested of consuming organizations that their suggestions 

 for grade changes be submitted in writing in the usual way. 



Mr. Fish closed his talk with an urgent invitation to all of the 

 members of the Indiana association to attend the convention of his 

 association in Chicago on June 14 and 15. 



The Indiana lumbermen had the opportunity of becoming ac- 

 quainted with their governor, James Goodrich. Gov. Goodrich made 

 a very favorable impression with his very evident sincerity and 

 suggestion of efficiency and business ability. He stated that he 

 found the only link between himself and his audience was his desire 

 for a greater conservation of the resources of the state, as he said 

 he has come to consider the lumber business in Indiana as a vanish- 

 ing industry in keeping with the disappearance of the former wealth 

 of natural gas and of coal. He deplored the prodigality of peoples 

 under democratic government, stating his belief that a greater effi- 

 ciency and a more near approach to common sense in the administra- 

 tion of our affairs and of our resources must come, and that in the 

 near future. Gov. Goodrich said that he is endeavoring to provide 

 for a conservation commission for the state of Indiana that will 

 administer all of the state's resources, but that it is difficult to effect 

 the passage of a bill to provide for the appointment of such a non- 

 partisan commission to serve without compensation in view of the 

 influence of politicians in both parties who do not want appoint- 

 ments carrying with them good salaries eliminated. The governor 

 expressed the desire that some day either through this conservation 

 commission or by some other effective means, reforestation could be 

 promulgated in the southern part of Indiana. 



Former mayor Charles Bookwalter of Indianapolis has livened 

 up the past few meetings with his addresses. He spoke this year 

 along the same lines as Gov. Goodrich, namely, the need for con- 

 verting that part of Indiana land which is adapted to the forests, 

 into reforested areas. He desires to have trees planted at every op- 

 portunity and wherever there is room for them, and where the con- 

 ditions will make for their proper development. Mr. Bookwalter 

 made a very strong plea for betterment of Indiana roads, which 

 could be effected by their removal from the domain of politics and 

 their administration by a commission operating along well-defined 

 and consistent lines. 



At the close of Mr. Bookwalter 's address, the association went on 

 record as approving the proposed state highway bill. 



Other speakers were W. W. Knight of Indianapolis, who, in dis- 

 cussing trade conditions, expressed a very cheerful view of the sit- 

 uation, saying that the only condition causing any concern is the 

 eastern embargoes. 



J. V. Stimson moved that E. C. Atkins & Co., Inc., Indianapolis, 

 be extended a vote of thanks for the convention badges which were 

 furnished by that company. 



On motion, the association appointed W. A. Guthrie of Indian- 

 apolis as its nominee for appointment on the state forestry com- 

 mission. 



The nominating committee then reported with recommendations 

 for the election of the following officers: 



President: Daniel Wertz of Evansville; first vice-president, Walter 

 Crim, Salem; second vice-president, George H. Palmer, Sheridan; 

 secretary, Edgar Eiehardson, Indianapolis; treasurer, James Buckley, 

 Brookville. 



After the convention was over and the members had spent an hour 

 or so visiting in the lobby, they gathered, again in the Eiley room 

 at the Claj'pool for a very successful banquet. 



The January Furniture Shows 



The January display of furniture this year brought together 

 many of the well-known firms. Little radical was brought out 

 in the way of new designs or in different treatment of the old 

 patterns. Period furniture is still popular, and plenty of Queen 

 Anne and William and Mary are in evidence. 



No new woods have come in and none of the important old 

 ones have gone out. The nearest approach to total disappearance 

 is in the case of Circassian walnut. Practically no Circassian logs 

 have reached the United States for more than a year, yet this 

 beautiful oriental wood is not entirely absent. It is still found 

 now and then in a piece or set of furniture, which is probably 

 a hold-over from past years. Neither are French and English 

 walnut wholly absent, though they are scarce. In some instances 

 it is possible that they pass for Circassian. 



Apparently, black walnut has not passed the zenith of its 

 popularity. At any rate it makes a nice show at the exposition. 

 Possibly the lighter finishes have gained in popularity during 

 the past year, but all finishes are in evidence, from those nearly 

 as light as butternut to others approaching the shade of ebony. 

 This wood finds use in grades at the top, and likewise in classes 

 a little more common. Nobody has registerd any complaint that 

 walnut is not to be had in amounts as large as are wanted. Coni^ 

 binations of walnut veneer with less expensive woods in the solid 

 parts make walnut goods available to many who formerly could 

 not buy furniture in this beautiful wood. 



Old, reliable mahogany is still with us. Other woods ma}' come 

 and others may go, but this one goes on forever. Styles of Enish 

 for this wood were standardized generations ago and not many 

 changes are seen. As this wood comes wholly from foreign coun- 

 tries, and ocean freights are high, no one is surprised that ma- 

 hogany shows no tendency to become cheaper. As usual, a good 

 deal of birch is worked in as parts of mahogany furniture, for the 

 purpose of strengthening the parts which must meet the greatest 

 strain. Gum is also used very effectively in combination. 



While maple is as pretty as ever, yet, if one may judge by 

 what is shown in the exposition, it is not in quite so much demand 

 as it was a few years ago. However, the wants of all who desire 

 it can be amply supplied. 



Oak furniture keeps on its everlasting course. There is some 

 variation in finish and style, but the wood is always in evidence 

 in the whole line of furniture from the best down to that which 

 is quite common. Plain and quartered go side by side, and it 

 is difficult to see that one is gaining or losing in popularity. ■ The 

 possibilities of varietj' are just beginning to be appreciated, and, 

 many new effects may be looked for at future shows. 



Red gum gains steadily, both on its own account and as an imir. 

 tation of other woods. It finds a place in kitchen and pantry* 

 furniture and keeps on up the scale until it has pretty well filled" 

 the gap created when Circassian walnut became costly anil ecatcAt 



The manufacturers of chairs some time ago decided to boost thfej*"! 

 prices a little, so they might have a better margin of profit. It i"^ 

 now in order for the manufacturers of chair stock to see what oajiv 

 be done in the way of obtaining a little more profit for the jn^V 

 at the raw material end. il 



Even though the modern automobile seemingly contains biit little,': 

 woodwork it has made necessary the iuVeaiting and building of ' «■ 

 number of special woodworking machines, particularly for ^\li.il 

 work and steering wheel rims. 



