26 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



September 25, 1922 



McClure Answers Durgin ^s Letter 



The direct appeal t« the members of the National Hardwood 

 Lumber Association, made by William A. Durgin, chief of the Divi- 

 sion of Simplified Practice of the Department of Commerce, follow- 

 ing a statement issued by Frank F. Fish, secretary-treasurer of the 

 National, on the results of a questionnaire sent to hardwood con- 

 sumers concerning the standardization movement, has elicited a 

 letter from John W. McClure, president of the National, in which 

 Mr. McClure vigorously supports the information disseminated by 

 the association over the signature of the secretary-treasurer. Mr. 

 McClure 's letter, which was addressed, like Mr. Durgin 's com- 

 munication, to the membership of the organization, follows: 



Chicago, 111., Sept. 13, 1922. 

 TO MEMBERS : 



With reference to a circular letter addressed by William A. Durgin to 

 the members of the National Hardwood Lumber Association. 



For tiie first time in the bistory of this country, a representative of one 

 of the departments of government bas submitted a communication to each 

 individual member of an industrial organization in criticism of the acts 

 of an officer of that organization. 



It is not my purpose to question the motives inspiring this most remark- 

 able action, nor shall I attempt to appraise the problematical value to 

 the enemies of the National Hardwood Lumber Association of that unprece- 

 dented and distinctly hostile communication. This membership is amply 

 qualified to forn.ulate its own conclusions regarding the propriety of an 

 attempt to administer bureaucratic castigation to an organization which 

 has unfortunately incurred the displeasure of a bureau chief ; and also to 

 pass Judgment upon the unusual procedure of releasing a communication 

 of this nature to the trade press without first requesting from the offend- 

 ing organization an explanation of the matter regarding which complaint 

 is made. 



The membership of this association should understand and appreciate 

 the fact that this unique circular did not emanate from the Secretary of 



Offering 



Thoroughly Kiln Dried 

 Lumber and an Efficient 

 Kiln Drying Service 



A thoroughly modern kiln eauipment at 

 Owensboro enables us to make cromot shin- 

 ment on our own stock, thoroughly kiln dried 

 and also to offer kiln drying service of croven 

 efficiency for handling either green or drv 

 lumber. We offer quick shipment, either 

 domestic or exoort. straight or mixed cars, 

 all N. H. L. A. grades in our soft texture 

 oak ideal for good furniture. We also hav* 

 solendid walnut, a fine stock of poplar, chest, 

 nut, gum. hickory, maple, elm. cottonwood. 

 beech and Quartered sycamore. Thus prac^ 

 ticallv every line of woodworking is offered 

 a thoroughly reliable source of entirely de- 

 pendable material. 



Trv STIMSON at Owensboro 

 the next titne 



J. V, Stimson dC Co. 



OWENSBORO, KY. I 



Commerce, Herbert A. Hoover, but from the Chief of the Division of 

 Simplified Practice, William A. Durgin. Mr. Durgin is an engineer, but 

 nut a statesman ; neither is he a lumberman, and must, therefore, obtain his 

 information regarding the lumber industry at second hand. Unfortunately 

 for him and for the industry, be bas been badly advised regarding conditions 

 prevailing in the hardwood trade, and possessing an engineering turn of 

 mind, his temperament is of that type which denies the existence of more 

 than one side to a debatable question. He seems to be thoroughly imbued 

 with the single idea that the hardwood lumber consumer has been badly 

 treated and believes it to be his mission to correct the situation. Had 

 he obtained his information at first hand, directly from the consumer, he 

 would not have fallen into error and would not now occupy the position of 

 a disavowed champion of the consumers' interest. 



In sending out the questionnaire it was the purpose of the National 

 Hardwood Lumber Association to procure this first hand information upon 

 the attitude of the consuming hardwood industry toward the proposed 

 standardization project, and at a proper time to submit it to the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce for fair and thoughtful consideration. This informa- 

 tion is now on file in the oflices of the National Hardwood Lumber .Asso- 

 ciation and is subject to examination by the Department of Commerce if a 

 further pursuance of the matter is deemed desirable. 



Mr. Durgin states in his circular communication to this membership, 

 that the questionnaire was sent out by F. F. Fish, while, as a matter 

 of fact, it was sent out by the National Hardwootl Lumber Association with 

 the full approval and under the explicit direction of the officers and 

 directors of that .Association, and was signed by Mr. Fish as Secretary- 

 treasurer thereof. This explanation divests the action of the personal 

 slant with which Mr. Durgin seems anxious to endow it. 



Text of Questionnaire 



The questionnaire was sent out in July and not on August 8, as stated 

 in Mr. Durgin's general coninuinication, and the following is an exact copy 

 of its contents : 



Chicago, July 12, 1922. 



Doubtless you have noted that a movement, sponsored by the Federal 

 Department of Commerce, has been started to revolutionize the inspec- 

 tion of hardwood lumber by the proposed establishment of another system 

 of grading rules entirely "new in names and expressing values different 

 from those now in effect, and which are to apply to all lumber. Including 

 softwoods as well as hardwoods. It is further proposed that th se new 

 grading rules shall be formulated solely by the manufacturers of lumb r 

 and shall be administered and applied in a general way by a central 

 inspection bureau created and maintained under governmentnl authority. 



It has been stated that the necessity for this proposed drastic change 

 from existing standards and from the administration thereof arises from 

 the inability of the consumers to obtain fair treatment from hardwood 

 lumber shippers under the grading rules and inspection system now In 

 effect. 



As a consumer of hardwood lumber you are urgently requested to 

 advise this Association upon the following points connected with the 

 subject of hardwood inspection : 



Are you familiar with the system for hardwood grading and nvasure- 

 ment maintained by this .Association, known as National Inspection? 



Do you make purchases based upon that form of inspection? It so, have 

 the results derived therefrom been satisfactory to you as a consumer of 

 hardwood lumber? 



Is it in your judgment desirable to abandon existing grade names and 

 existing standards of quality and to replace them with new grade names 

 and new standards of quality? 



Are you in favor of having your lumber purchases submitted to the in- 

 spection of a bureau directed by governmental authority? Or do you be- 

 lieve that such administration and control should remain within the 

 hardwood industry which properly includes the producer, distributor and 

 consumer of hardwood lumber? 



These queries confront all who are interested in the purchase or sale 

 of hardwood lumber and the replies to this letter will largely determine 

 the action which will be token. Will you, therefore, give these questions 

 careful consideration and favor this Association with a definite reply to 

 each at your earliest convonienoe? 



Says Questions Were Fair 



As may be seen at a glance, the questions contained in the above are 

 entirely fair and are neither leading or misleading in nature. The objec- 

 tion urged by Jlr. Durgin to the questionnaire is directed to the wording 

 of the first paragraph from which he has incorrectly quoted without, how- 

 ever, altering the meaning. The points at Issue are the references to pro- 

 posed changes in existing grade names and values and the final adminis- 

 tration of the new grades through the mediumship of a central and super 

 inspection bureau to be created and maintained under governmental au- 

 thority. 



Comes now Mr. Durgin entering an emphatic denial that such was ever 

 the purpose of the movement. 



He may be right. I am not raising any question of veracity. I have 

 only for my guide the printed word contained in reports of various con- 

 ferences. The oflScial report of the first conference held In Washington 

 states that all lumber, which includes hardwoods, shall be classed In three 

 general grades, to-wit : A, B and C. There are no such hardwood grades 

 in existence today and, therefore, I am unable to reconcile. In view of 

 {Continuei on paye 50) 



