i8 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



the monotojiT of every-night work during tlio week, but at the end 

 of the week he naturally also feels the ' ' knoi-k-ofif , ' ' relaxed spirit 

 and probably is not as vigilant as be is during the other six nights. 



A Big Idea 



IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED by one of the biggest of the country's 

 lumbermen that the universal working day for woods and sawmill 

 workers be established at eight hours. The suggestion has not 

 apparently met with much support, although it is probable that the 

 lack of support is due to the radical nature of the proposition and 

 to the fact that it comes rather suddenly so that naturally the argu- 

 ments against it present themselves more forcibly than tlie altruistic 

 and humanitarian arguments in favor of it. 



It is unquestionablj' a fact that the institution of an eight-hour 

 day throughout the wliole of the luniber business of the country would 

 mean a very materially reduced output in the aggregate for the 

 same expense. Taken individually, however, it is doubtful if the 

 added expense to the individual firm would be too great a burden to 

 shoulder. The chief arguments against the proposal have to do with 

 the increased cost of production and, while they apparently offer a 

 very practical side of the proposition, it is certainly true that against 

 them should be weighed judicially the benefits to be derived by saw- 

 mill and woods operators. It has further been argued that the life 

 of such workmen is of such a nature that they do not feel the strain 

 of a long day's work in the sawmill and in the woods as do factory 

 operators. This is undoubtedly true, but nevertheless there is prob- 

 ably no other industry which can offer the same monotony of operation 

 which is seen in sawmill work. The very speed with which lumber is 

 produced in itself renders the task ultimately extremely monotonous 

 as close concentration is required throughout the long day's work 

 and when a man lias applied himself for ten hours to this kind of 

 labor he is both physically and mentally in need of recreation. To 

 offset the arguments against tlie proposal as an economic mistake, 

 is advanced tlie suggestion that tlie eight-hour working day is some- 

 thing with which the lumber business throughout the country will 

 ultimately be confronted, and that it may just as well voluntarily 

 put into effect such a condition rather than to be forced to adopt 

 it by labor agitators, and further of even greater importance is the 

 greater feeling of co-operation between tlie employer and employes, 

 which will result from the voluntary adoption of such a regulation. 



The suggestion conies from a man who is not recognized as a pure 

 theorist, but who has rather made a distinct success because of his 

 practical business ability and foresight. It should not be talked 

 down merely as a scheme, hut sliould at least be given the earnest 

 consideration from all viewpoints tliat any big idea warrants. 



A Trip of Great Importance 



FOURTEEN OF THE DIRECTOKS of tlie Chamber of Commerce 

 of the United States of America have left on a trip which will 

 i-onsumc the interval between July (i and July 27, and will embrace 

 visits to Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Utali, Nevada, Arizona, Cali- 

 fornia, Washington, Montana and North Dakota. 



The trip results from the determination of the directors and officers 

 of the Cliamber of Commerce to bring the business forces of the 

 Pacific coast in actual toucli with the work tliat has been accomplished 

 by the Chamber of Commerce since its organization in 1912. The 

 rapidity with which the organizations east of tlie Mississippi liave 

 added to their membei ships and given their support to the Chamber 

 of Commerce, proves beyond doubt that the business forces of the 

 nation have come to recognize the importance of bringing to a 

 focus the sentiment that has been expressed in local commercial 

 organizations, and having such sentiment brought to bear upon 

 national problems and legislation of governmental improvement, and 

 of higher standards of local work. 



Cordial invitations have already been received ami iiulicate that 

 every possible effort will be made along the route to place the 

 directors and officers in close touch with activity and ideas in the 

 difl'erent sections. The business interests in general throughout the 

 country should feel a large measure of gratitude to the men handling 

 the actual operations of the nataonal Chamber of Commerce, and 



can surely feel that a new era is dawning in American business, which 

 is proven by the fact that business men are so realizing the critical 

 nature of present conditions that they are willing to sacrifice time, 

 money and a great deal ol individual effort for the purpose of working 

 out the problems of the national Chamber of Commerce successfully. 

 If these men are willing to do this much, the vast business interests 

 covering the whole country should certainly be willing to lend at least 

 their moral and financial support to the movement. 



Equitable Classification of Forest Products 



Possible 



ELSEWHERE IN THIS ISSUE of H.\rd\vood Relokd appears a 

 report of a recent decision of the Interstate Commerce Coni- 

 iiiission which suggests the possibilities of the development of a 

 condition which, if it became a fact, would be of immense importance 

 to producers and consumers of the products of the American forests. 

 The decision is the result of a complaint on the part of a spoke 

 manufacturing association as against a certain railroad, and speci- 

 fically provides that while formerly this road has been hauling finished 

 spokes castbound at a greater rate than it has hauled similar finished 

 articles, many of w'hica have taken the same rate as the rough lumber 

 from which they were made, the spoke manufacturers will henceforth 

 enjoy the same privileges as the manufacturers of analogous lines 

 of finished wood goods. 



This decision records a notable victory for tlic spoke manufacturers 

 involved but, in addition, has a much broader significance. It makes 

 suggestions — which are merely in the form of suggestions — that would 

 cover classification throughout the country. Specifically, it states 

 that tliere is altogether too much diversity in that class of 

 schedules and it recommends that a more commonsense basis of 

 classification be used in connection with all finished products as com- 

 pared to the rough lumber from which they are originally manufac- 

 tured. 



The method wliich tlie commission suggests slunihl lie pursued in 

 working out this proposition would lie to divide the \arious kinds of 

 forest products shipped through the country into three or more classes. 

 These classes should be comprised first of rough lumber and then in as 

 many classes as is deemed necessary with different finished articles. 

 according to the degree of finish when they are shipped. The pure 

 common sense and the sound logic of this proposal should certainly 

 appeal to all shippers of forest products. If it went into effect it 

 would, while discommoding shippers and carriers considerably for a 

 short time, ultimately result to the vast benefit of both of those 

 interests. It is to be hoped that the suggestion of the Interstate 

 Commerce Commission will ultimately bear fruit. 



A Good Indication 



THE OPENING DAYS of the Chicago luriiiture exhibits wliic-li 

 formally started the midille of last week but which in reality 

 opened up only Monday of this week would indicate that the furni- 

 ture buyers are showing rather nnusual interest in the new styles 

 of the various kinds of furniture offered. The registration on 

 Monday, July 7, was the largest registration on record for a mid- 

 summer exhibit, the bulk of those in attendance of course being 

 buyers. The semi-annual furniture exhibits in various parts of 

 the country always have a deterring influence en the lumber busi- 

 ness, at least as far as various kinds of hardwoods entering into 

 furniture construction arc concerned. This is in no wise less true 

 this year than in any preceding year, the reason at all times being 

 that furniture manufacturers do not feel themselves in a position 

 to go ahead very fast with manufacture until they have ascer 

 tained definitely just which styles will take. It is impossible at 

 so early a date to analyze even approximately the popularity of the 

 various styles of designs offered, but, from the exhibits already on 

 the floors, there seems to be quite a leaning toward Circassian 

 walnut and mahogany. The Colonial period furniture still is rather 

 prominent in the various exhibits, while the Adam style is also seen 

 rather conspicuously in the higher grade lines. Judging from early 

 suggestions, the present exhibits on the Chicago markets offer a 

 rather favorable indication as to the prospect for furniture pur- 

 chases for the summer months. 



