Semi-Monthly f) ' 



Twenty-Second Year ' '^^ 



CHICAGO, FEBRUARY 10, 1917 



Subscription $2. 



Single Copies, 15 Cents. 



Open Competition Among 

 Hardwood Manufacturers 



Summary of a Pliiii lormiiluted by a Committee Representing the Hartlzc'oott Maniifiictiirers' .-4 ssociiition of the United States 

 anil Approved by the Board of (iovernors January 29, 1917, One of the Most Momentous and Progressive 



Steps Ever Taken by a Lumber Association. 



HE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN is the collection and dissemination of accurate knowl- 

 edge of lumber production and market conditions. All hardwoods are to be ultimately 

 included, but it is proposed to make a beginning with oak. 



No fixing of prices or curtailment of production is contemplated, no act that can be 

 construed as illegal ; nothing that bears the semblance of restraint of trade. It is a sys- 

 temized arrangement whereby members shall tell one another what they have done, what prices 

 they have received, what prices they have quoted, and how much lumber they have produced and 

 sold. It is open understanding and open competition, looking toward a more stable market for both 

 buyer and seller. 



Free and open discussion of business matte rs among members, and frequent reports by mem- 

 bers to a central body, and frequent reports by the central body back to the members, is the object in 

 view. 



The information derived from the daily reports of members will be sent back as summaries in 

 the form of production reports, sales reports, shipping reports, stock reports, price lists, inspection 

 reports. 



Production reports are to be made by members to the secretary monthly; and monthly the sec- 

 retary shall inform the members of the total production by all members during the preceding month. 



Daily sales reports shall be made by members, of all sales, or whether or not any sales have been 

 made. The class of buyers, whether they buy for their own use or to sell again, will be specified. 



Shipping reports shall be made daily by all members. The secretary shall digest these reports 

 and once a week he shall mail a shipping report summary to each member. 



Stock reports shall be made monthly by the members, showing the amount of stock of each grade, 

 kind and thickness on hand the first of each month. 



Price lists are to be filed by each member with the secretary at the beginning of each month at 

 the time of filing the stock report — prices f. o. b. shipping point. Not later than the tenth of each 

 month the secretary shall send out a summary of these price lists, showing prices asked by each 

 member, and as soon as any change is reported by any member, this information shall be transmitted 

 by the secretary to all the members. 



An inspection service is to be established for the purpose of checking up grades. 



A market report letter will go monthly to all members of the association. 



With this information constantly before them, it is believed that the manufacturers will be in a 

 position to make up their minds in an intelligent manner as to whether they are getting proper prices 

 for what they sell. (See pages 25 to 27) 



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