20 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



SeptembiT 10. 1922 



Limitations of Co-operation Laid Down 



A few associations voluntarily accepted this arrangement for co- 

 operation with the, Department of Commerce. The vast majority 

 withheld their participation. The National Lumber Manufacturers' 

 Association, speaking by direct authorization in behalf of the sub- 

 scribing associations of lumber manufacturers advised the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce: 



That it was willing and desirous of contributing to the public welfare 

 and to the stabilit.v of the lumber industry by making its current lumber 

 trade information publicly available ; 



That it was not then and had not been engaged In activities violative of 

 the law : 



That It was not willing to commit to the Department of Comraerce the 

 distribution of lumber trade statistics which the Association might collect 

 and compile ; 



That to do so would in substance Involve the Association in government 

 regulation and would involve the Government in a direct business enter- 

 prise to both of which the National Lumlier Manufacturers' Association 

 and its sulisciibing associations are opposed : 



That furthermore, distribution of statistics through the Department of 

 Commerce would in the judgment of the lumber industry Involve such de- 

 lays as to render such statistical service virtually valueless ; 



That the lumlier industry suggests, as a constructive alternative that 

 suitable means be found under the law whereby trade associations might 

 themselves collect, compile and distribute current trade information in 

 such manner and under such arrangements with the Department ot Com- 

 merce as might be consistent with public policy and meet the needs of the 

 lumber Industry. 



Government Accepts Lumber Plan 

 The trade association conference on April 12 did not itself de- 

 velop any consensus of opinion among trade associations. General 

 statements of desire to co-operate with the Department of Commerce 

 were given free indulgence. Few constructive and specific sugges- 

 tions were offered, in public meeting. It is not without significance, 

 therefore, that the suggestions of the lumber industry that means 

 be found whereby, through individual and voluntary arrangement 

 for co-operation with the Department of Commcrcej trade associa- 

 tions might themselves continue the compilation and distribution 

 of useful trade statistics, has been followed in the new plan for 

 co-operation with trade associations recently offered by the Secre- 

 tary of Commerce. A brief digest of this plan has this month been 

 sen' to each association in the lumber industry. It is deserving of 

 consideration by lumbermen as possibly furnishing a suitable means 

 of taking association statistical exchanges, conducted in good faith, 

 substantially out of the field of public controversy. 



The arrangement with the Secretary of Commerce of a plan such 

 as he now proposes obviously involves the approv.il on the part of 

 the Department of Commerce of the associations' statistical ac- 

 tivities as being consistent with the public welfare; and inasmuch 

 as the Secretary of Commerce acts under the advice of the Attorney 

 General, as being consistent also with the Federal laws. 



The basic requirements imposed for this purpose by the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce, are: 



First, that the Association avoid the disclosure of the Identity of the 

 business affairs of any Individual competitor, either prices at which he has 

 sold, or his costs, or his production, or his stocks. 



Second, publidty must be given to the information which Is furnished to 

 the association members. 



The details of he agreement which an association may enter into 

 with the Department of Commerce are simply an elaboration of 

 these two requirements sufficient to insure their observance. 



The purpose of the plan as stated by the Department is that it 

 "will insure the prompt distribution of the trade information, 

 which is vital to its value, and at the same time secure the desired 

 publicity," by insuring its availability to persons not members who 

 are willing to pay a reasonable charge for the information which 

 they receive. 



National Accepts Hoover Plan 

 In accordance with its promise to the Secretary of Commerce 

 more than a year ago, the National Lumber Manufacturers' Asso- 

 ciation has asked the Department of Commerce that an arrange- 

 ment with it along these lines be promptly effected. It happens that 

 the statistical exchanges of the National Associa ion have been 

 heretofore conducted in exactly the manner now required by the 

 Department of Commerce as a basis for its official recognition, 



co-operation and approval. A suitable arrangement, it is expected, 

 will be completed at an early date. It is suggested that the associa- 

 tions in the lumber industry, especially those among lumber manu- 

 facturers, consider the possible advisability of similar action by 

 themselves looking to the removal of current lumber trade statis- 

 tics from the field of public controversy. 



Such action obviously does not and cannot constitute immunity 

 from attack. No arrangement either with or without the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce imposes any restraint upon the lawful exercise 

 of the powers of Federal authority in the enforcement of Federal 

 laws. It is, however, obvious that the Department of Commerce, 

 acting under the advice of the Attorney General, the chief Federal 

 officer of law enforcement, would not give its approval, expressed 

 or implied, to any arrangement or activity by a trade organization 

 which the Attorney General considers to be violative of the law. 

 Moreover, no greater evidence of good faith can be exhibited by a 

 trade association than its observance in good faith of the advice 

 of the Secretary of Commerce, who with respect to affairs of indus- 

 try and commerce is the legally constituted interpreter of the 

 interests of the public. 



Further appeal of such an arrangement may perhaps lie in the 

 fact that it is wholly voluntary on both sides subject to momentary 

 termination without prejudice to either party; that it leaves the 

 conduct of association statistical activities wholly in the hands of 

 the Association itself, and this without interference except such 

 as may be voluntarily self-imposed. It can scarcely be expected 

 that any administrative department of the Federal government can 

 go farther in meeting the needs and views and confidence of those 

 trade associations which in good faith and within the law desire 

 the prompt service of up-to-date trade information. 



Carriage Builders Prepare for Anniversary 



The National Carriage lUulders' Assoriatinn will celebrate its golden 

 anniversary with a convention at the Hotel Mc.Mpln, New York City, 

 October 9. 10 and 11. Fifty years ago the association was organized In 

 Cincinnati. George W. Huston, treasurer of the national assoelaticpn. and 

 Theodore Luth, former president of the Cincinnati Carriage nuildei-s' 

 .Association, are in New York making arrangements for the convention, 

 which promises to be the largest in the history of the organization. One 

 of the features of the convention will he a horse and buggy parade down 

 Fifth avenue. 



Atkins Saws Used by Contest Winners 



E. C. Atkins & Co.. Inc., saw niiimifaeturers of Indianapolis, provided 

 the saws which enabled the winners in the log sawing contest at the recent 

 Slirine picnic there to take down first money. The contest would have 

 made "liill." former Kaiser, turn green with envy. The winners went 

 through a twelve-inch log in twenty seconds. They were coached by .lohn B. 

 Johnson of the Atkins Company, who. after the victory, symbolized it with 

 some triumphant tunes on the saw used. 



Hardwood Demand May Be Expanded 



-Although the United States supplies SO per cent of the oak used In the 

 Itiver riate countries, considerable quantities are Imported from Europe. 

 Walnut is brought principally from France, Belgium. Spain and Italy and 

 is mostly In the form of veneer. The woods Imported Into Argentina under 

 the designation "American hardwoods" are chiefly tropical woods from 

 Urazil and Paraguay, Of the five items, pine, spruce, oak, ash, and walnut, 

 the ITnltcd States supplies CiO per cent of the trade, but there is opportunity 

 to expand the existing market not only by meeting the competition of the 

 native and Brazilian woods which are replacing the .\merican lumber, but 

 also by actual development of the uses. Over the greater extent of the 

 country districts of .Argentina and Uruguay the average house of the farm 

 laborer is a shack of mud and sheet iron. As living conditions improve 

 there will he a greater demand for lumber for building purposes. — U. S. 

 Commerce Reports. 



Use of Cuban Majagua for Baseball Bats 

 About two years ago experiments proved that Cuban majagua was Ideally 

 adapted for the manufacture of baseball bats. This hardwood is of tough 

 fiber and it can be used for any purpose requiring material that will not 

 break easily. Although not so popular as mahogany and other native 

 woods for furniture, it has been used to a certain extent In the manufacture 

 of chairs. Its resistance to fracture has also led to Its employment In the 

 construction of wheels. Within the past year a growing Interest has 

 developed in the United States In the Importation of majagua for the manu- 

 facture of baseball bats. For this purpose It is cut Into pieces :t8 Inches 

 long and 3 inches square. One firm exported to the United States during 

 tie past yenr 1.000 of these pieces. — .Assistant Trade Commissioner C. A. 

 I.ivengood, Habana. V. S. Commerce Reports. 



