February 10. 1817 



J. J. LINGLE, WESTBORO, WIS., 

 PRESIDENT 



C. H. WORCESTER. CHICAGO. 

 VICE-PRESIDENT 



GEORGE E. FOSTER. MELLEN. WIS., 

 TREASURER 



'^ e6waim a iswyi' )iTOStmi>i4iTOiraTOJTO^ 



Hemlock and Hardwood Meeting 



The members of the Nortliern Hemlock and Hardwood Manufac- 

 turers' Association held their annual meeting at Milwaukee, Wis., 

 January 25 and 26. Officers for the coming year were elected, rules 

 and by-laws were amended in several particulars, and a number of 

 instructive papers were read. 



The address of President J. T. Phillips revealed a satisfactory con- 

 dition in the affairs of the association and a likelihood that the com- 

 ing year wUl bring a continuance of good business. Lumber prices 

 have been such that the manufacturers have been able to put the bal- 

 ance on the right side of the ledger, for the fii'st time in some j'ears. 



The report of the treasurer, George Foster, was read by Secretary 

 Swan, and showed that the association's finances are in a satisfac- 

 tory condition. The secretary's report was not read l)ut was ordered 

 incorporated in the minutes of the meeting. 



The address of R. S. Kellogg, secretary of the National Lumber 

 Manufacturers' Association, was devoted chiefly to an account of 

 what is being accomplished to increase the scope of work of the na- 

 tional association. Already the California Redwood Association and 

 the Michigan Hardwood Manufacturers' Association have voted as- 

 sessmments of one and one-half cents a thousand feet on shiinncnts. to 

 go into the funds of the National association, but not to become due 

 until ninety per cent of the affiliated associations vote the same as- 

 sessments. Indications now are that the required cooperation will be 

 forthcoming, and when that has been assured. President R. H. Down- 

 man will call a meeting in Chicago to determine how the fund is to br 

 spent to do the most good. 



Changes in Grading Rules 

 George H. Chapman, of Stanley, Wis., read the report of the bureau 

 of grades; and each point was discussed and action was taken, one 

 by one. There appeared to be little difference of opinion that cer- 

 tain changes were desirable. He stated that his committee was in 

 harmony with the grades committee of the Michigan association, and 

 the convention authorized the bureau of grades to place the hard- 

 wood rules which were desired before the National Hardwood Limiber 

 Association in order that they may be incorporated in the standard 

 hardwood rules at the June convention. It was stated that there is 

 every reason to believe that favorable action will be taken on the rules. 

 At the suggestion of Mr. Chapman, the bureau of grades was reduced 

 in membership from ten members to five in order that it might handle 

 its work with greater efficiency. Mr. Chapman also presented a pro- 

 — 41rr— 



posed rule for No. 3 hemlock yard grade, and after some discussion 

 it was referred back to his committee with the suggestion that the 

 committee prepare and present to a future meeting rules covering 

 No. 3 dimension and No. 3 box in hemlock, including one-inch stock. 



Kiln Drying Hemlock 



H. D. Tiemann, of the Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wis., 

 addi'essed the meeting on the subject of Idln drying hemlock. He main- 

 tained that when the proper sort of a kiln is used the grades will not 

 be lowered, but rather they wUl be raised, about what would result from 

 air drying. This had been proved by actual experiments at the lab- 

 oratory where hemlock had been dried by both metliods. He said 

 that one-inch stock can be brought to a dry weight of 2,300 pounds 

 in two days and that two-inch stock may be dried in six days, where 

 the lumber is piled flat, but that if it is piled on edge the time of 

 drying one-inch stock may be reduced to forty hours. He said that 

 the profit from kiln drying hemlock comes largely from reduced freight 

 rates, the possibility of operating on a smaller amount of capital 

 with a consequent frequent turning of stock and the saving in handling. 



The substitution of one wood for another was the subject of an 

 address by E. C. Lowe, an architect of Chicago. The point which 

 was used to illustrate his argument was that birch is often employed 

 as a substitute for mahogany in interior finish ; and if it is satisfactory 

 as a substitute, why should it not be used under its own name and 

 on its ovni merit? He spoke highly of birch as an interior wood, 

 because of the facility with which it may be finished in many colors 

 and tones to harmonize with its surroundings. It is now the custom 

 to study harmony very carefully in interior finish. 



Guaranteed Birch 



Edward Hines, of Chicago, addressed the meeting on the topic, 

 ' ' Guaranteed Birch — A New Force in Lumber Merchandising. ' ' The 

 speaker laid down as a proposition that every piece of birch lumber 

 that is shipped should have stamped upon its surface the grade, name 

 of the manufacturer, trademark of association and such other marks 

 of identification as may be decided necessary after careful inves- 

 tigation of the needs of the situation. 



This is necessary to prevent manipulation and mixing of grades by 

 jobbers who have no farther interest in birch than to secure what com- 

 mission or profit they can from making the sales. The promotion 

 of this wood will be further enhanced by so standardizing and brand- 

 ing the grades and pieces that a certain kind can be secured in any 



