\V. II. DAWKI.NS. ASUl.AMi. KY , 

 EXECUTIVE BOARD 



MEMBER 



l.lTTl.E !!()( K, AKK. 

 EXECUTIVE BOARD 



MIOMBER 



(;II.(1H{IS-|-. MEMI'llIS. TENN"., 

 BER EXECUTIVE BOARD 



MEM- 



thc structural work, locomotive, passenger, freight car, ties and other 

 railroad materials. 



In conference with the eastern lumber oi-ganizatiuii.^, we issued a 'vup- 

 plement covering changes in chestnut grading, and in brown and white 

 ash, maple, white birch, beech, blacl< gum, adoption etc., all of which help 

 to bring out more plainly and satisfactorily the proper interpretation of 

 the rules, and closer toward the standardization of the rules. 



We have adopted the cypress and tupelo rules as promulgated and 

 amended May 17, 1911. 



For our next publication of the rules we have had placed in our office 

 the last cypress grading rules as amended November 28, 1911. Official 

 action has not yet been taken on this latter work. 

 In Touch With Inspectors 



By keeping in close touch with the inspectors in their various con- 

 suming localities I was able to acquaint myself with the conditions that 

 ixisted in the markets, and by such travels study many matters that have 

 entered into this report. 



The policy of the organization in the past years of making the grades 

 for specific uses in consultation with the consuming trade has greatly 

 assisted us in being able to have them satisfactorily received. 



Some misunderstandings occur owing to false representations, manipu- 

 lated grades, and statements of those who have not carefully studied the 

 rule book. 



We have numerous consumers who, after they have had the opportunity 

 through our inspectors' services to thoroughly understand our grades, 

 ■specify them on their purchasing forms in various lines of commodities. 

 ITiis Is growing more prevalent every year, and I can say with utmost 

 sincerity that the closer the consumer and purchaser study those rules in 

 the future, the more they will specify them In their purchases and find 

 them fair, liberal, as w^eii as adapted to their uses. 



The work of distributing the grading rules goes merrily along, and the 

 requests arc growing stronger from all sections as we progress in our 

 work. Over 100, (JOi) grading rules have been distributed, and the ofllee 

 is always ready to fill orders and requests from every section immediately 

 as they are received. 



BuBEAi'S AND Departments 



The Bureau of Commercial Reports Is being maintained and is being 

 operated as follows : 



Members desiring to leam of any business transactions of a prospective 

 purchaser can have free service by applying to the ofHce for information 

 rigardlng the firm. 



I'rovldlng that we have no such information on file we canvass our 



• ntire membership with a complete list of questions which covers the in- 

 formation desired, and on return of these prepared forms we reproduce 

 ihini. 



This gives actual and current business transactions and very valuoble 

 uformatton. 



The Department of Stock Sheets, Kor Sale and Wanted, wa.s operated 

 ntll AuuuHt 7, when it was disconlinucd. But from the condition of the 

 market today, with o large demand, and operators oversold on certain 

 loiks and very short on others, and with Ihc Idea as to what Is in largest 

 'I'-mand, for the purpose of their becoming familiar so as to monufacture 

 these thicknesses, etc., I hope that the association will continue the opera- 

 tion of this system. 



The General Information Department contains applications from various 

 people who communicate with the secretary's olllce regarding their desire 

 to become located, and It covers Hawmlll managers, salesmen. Inspectors, 



• tc, who want positions. 



—30— 



Blue Book 



l'"or the benelit of those desiring a valuable assistant in their offices, 1 

 believe you should have your attention called to the "Credit and Reference 

 Blue Book," published and maintained by the affiliated organizations of 

 lumbermen. It is considered the best and most up to date credit book for 

 lumbermen. 



Selling Terms 



In adopting our sales code, which has been published in all grading rule 

 books, we hud that the members desiring to avoid misunderstandings or 

 litigation regarding the methods of selling their lumber have adopted a 

 method for the purpose of quotations and the sale of their lumber, and the 

 form which is used with the best results is as follows : 



"All quotations, sales and contracts subject to the Sales code and in- 

 spection rules of the Hardwood Manufacturers' Association of the United 

 States." 



This is used on the letterhead, printed thereon, and is immediately 

 after the address that appears in the correspondence. Members are re- 

 iiuested to be guided by such condition, as the adoption of this will result 

 in a great deal of good. 



General 



'J?he conditions which confront us are varied. We have had, previous to 

 this meeting, a very severe winter. In the mountain streams the cold 

 weather and snow were above the average, and the thermometer registered 

 far below zero. The cold weather made thick ice and it has gone out 

 without any severe losses. However, high water and more ice are looked 

 forward to. 



In the Mississippi valley districts, or lowlands, most operators have been 

 shut down for some time, owing to the water conditions making logging 

 uikI railroading impossible. 



A peculiar lase in the condition of the hardwood timber country is that 

 In arranging for a program one of the most prominent timber agents of 

 this country, when invited to address the convention on the hardwood tim- 

 ber acreage, regretted his inability to present anything and explaining 

 tliat ho knew of no available hardwood stumpage that was for sale. 



The values of hardwood lumber as a whole in the past year have re- 

 ceded, even In the face of the fjyt of a lighter productiiui, and also in the 

 face of tiM' rising values that enter into the cost of production. The 

 standing timber has advanced, labor and all commodities pertaining to 

 supplies In till- sawmill, leather and ullicr iMiuipments, increasing tile cost 

 of production. 



On motion of K. 11. Vansant, a committee consisting of A. P. 

 Steele, C. M. Clark anU Frank F. Fee was appointed to consider 

 the reports of the olTiccrs, and following some routiiu' announce- 

 ments, the meeting ad.iourned. 



TUESDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 



At till' opening of this session. I 'resilient Towiiseud ititroduced 

 Leonard Bronson, manager of the National Lumber Manufacturers' 

 .Association, wlio made an exhaustive si)eech covering iiiniiy phases 

 of lumber an<l allied affairs the country over. 



On liUinber Advertising 



The chair introduced Herbert 10. Sumner of the Sumner Lum- 

 ber Company, New York City, who read a paper on lumber adver- 

 tising, of which the following is the text: 



The problem flint confronts us today Is how to Increase the consump- 



