24 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



June 25. 1922 



of the consumer should be developed, and they should be asked to assist 

 our engineers in working out this problem. Each wood should be consid- 

 ered separately, and the work could be very advantageously carried on 

 in conjunction with the Forestry Service, which has already conected con- 

 siderable data that would be of great value to us. 



When all of this data has been collected, specifications could then be 

 provided that would meet the different consuming needs as closely as possi- 

 ble. It is the elimination of waste and the reduction of cost that I am 

 sure Mr. Hoover primarily has in mind, and the accomplishment of these 

 desired ends would be of material benefit to the producer, consumer and 

 the public. 



The grade branding of lumber at the mill and proper guarantees to the 

 public are matters of extreme importance. This industry has suffered 

 untold injury through grade jugglery and manipulation, and we should 

 stand unitedly for the elimination of such practices, and the grades of hard- 

 woods should be so standardized and thoroughly established that when a 

 man exchanges his money for our product he would know nbsolutely that . 

 he was getting 100 cents on the dollar. 



Want No Unbelievers 



This is a doctrine that we must not only preach but must live and prac- 

 tice, and I want to say to you that if there is a single mill operator present 

 who does not believe that this is the right principle and who has not 

 firmly resolved in his own heart to deal honestly and fairly with the 

 public and to ship lumber exactly according to specifications of the grades 

 that may be devised, then I say to that man, do not come into this organi- 

 zation. If there be such a man. the day will come when he will realize 

 that this is the correct and proper way to do business, and aside from the 

 moral question involved, will ultimately pay bigger dividends, and when 

 that day of realization does come to him he will find the handclasp of 

 welcome extended to him and we want him to be one of us. 



Mr. Hoover's other suggestion, involving the creation of some national 

 instrumentality of an independent character for the administration of 

 inspection rules on all kinds of lumber, is a splendid one and should have 

 the unqualified support of this meeting. Such an instrumentality could 

 function, perhaps, through the National Lumber Manufacturers' Associa- 

 tion, and its service could be extended to foreign countries, with the result 

 of gi'eater stabilization in these markets and the creation of a confidence 

 on the part of the foreign buyer that has been previously sorely lacking 

 in American industry. 



In conclusion, I want to say a few words regarding a matter that is to 

 me a most deplorable development. There exists in the hardwood industry 

 another organization composed of wholesalers, dealers and some manu- 

 facturers, and an effort has been made to make it appear as though this 

 movement is solely an attack on that organization. If any one here 

 present today is impelled by any such motives they are, I am sure, entirely 

 out of harmony with the spirit that actuates this great movement. 



We are here, not in criticism of any other organization, nor iu protest 

 thereof, hut for the purpo.se of bringing together all of the hardwood 

 mills in this country, of uniting into one organization all of that class 

 of people possessing a unity of interest to the end that wc may improve 

 conditions within our own industry and place ourselves in position to more 

 efficiently ser\'e the public. 



No Quarrel with Honest Wholesaler 



M'e have no word of criticism of the wholesaler or intermediate dealer 

 who transacts his business honestly. He is an important and a necessary 

 factor in the industry and should receive our encouragement. The whole- 

 saler or dealer who thrives by manipulation, substitution or other sharp 

 practices is a parasite and him we do condemh, and we sjiould not rest 

 until he has been completely eliminated. 



The wholesaler or dealer, having unity of interest, should properly unite 

 into one organization, and it is proper that they shoulrl handle the problems 

 that confront their branch of industry without molestation from us. It 

 is likewise proper that these problems that peculiarly affect the manu- 

 facturer should be handled solely by the manufacturer without Inter- 

 ference from the distributor. The question of inspection rules and other 

 kindred questions are problems that must be worked out by the producer 

 with the assistance of the consumer. The distributor is not concerned 

 in these problems, and the honest wholesaler is content to merchandise 

 lumber of such standards as may be decided hy the manufacturer, with 

 the assistance of the consumer, to best meet the situation. 



Do not permit ourselves to be embittered against fellow hardwood manu- 

 facturers who may at this time not be associated with us. because of 

 unwarranted attacks on us by some other organization to which they may 

 belong. Remember, their interests ai*e ours. Whatever good we accomplish 

 must be shared hy them. They may not see things now just as we do, 

 but the day of awakening is not far distant. Gradually the mist will clear 

 from their eyes and they will see where their interests lie. Until that 

 day comes we must preserve a kindly, helpful spirit toward them, make 

 them realize that at heart they are brothers, that their interests are our 

 interests and let them know that our doors are ever open to them, and that 

 we look confidently to the future, which we know will find them firmly 

 united with us in this great_ constructive work we are undertaking. 



We have been attacked unjustly, we have been misrepresented and lied 

 about, but I beg of you, do not depart from the path that leads to the 

 accomplishment of our purpose into the bypaths of senseless, groundless 

 bickering. 



We have no argument, or dispute, with any one ; it must be clear to all 

 the world what we are seeking to accomplish, and let us pui*sue that 

 objective to a successful conclusion. 



To those who seek to injure and destroy us let us answer with a smile, 

 and treat them with the spirit that was displayed by the humble Nazarene 

 when He was attacked and villified, and which He so forcibly expressed 

 in those simple words : "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." 



Wires From Three of Industry's Leaders 



Secretary Pritchard read wires from Edward Hines, John W. 

 Blodgett and John H. Kirby, as follows: 



Chicago, June 14. — Words can not express my regret and disappointment 

 in not being able to attend this first and naturally most important meeting 

 at which I know those in attendance will lay the foundation of the struc- 

 ture that they will ultimately erect. Surely the individual results already 

 attained by all those who attend is a sufficient guarantee that when united 

 and working as a unit they will have no difficulty in bringing into exist- 

 ence an organization for the best interests of all owners of hardwood 

 timber in initating machinery for the best utilization of such timber in 

 the interest of their owners, as well as the best interest of the consumers 

 and the public of the United States along the broad lines initiated by 

 Secretary Hoover. The great evolution which has occurred during the 

 past teu years, particularly iu both manufacturing and merchandising 

 in the hardwood industry, demands the most modern methods of manu- 

 facture in order to utilize both in the interest of the manufacturer and the 

 public everything possible in timber, and at the same time to intelligently 

 and honestly merchandise the produce in order that the public wants will 

 be best met through the cleanest methods that the combined judgment of 

 the entire trade is capable of formulating, and to put the industry through 

 a system of standards of sizes, grading and marketing methods on so high 

 a plane that no one can question its merchandising methods. As Secre- 

 tary Hoover has so well said, no interests are so well fitted to accomplish 

 this as the manufacturers themselves acting together, and when properly 

 organized and able to meet any other portion of the trade, the consumers 

 or the public iu receiving suggestions to be worked out for the mutual 

 interest of both. I earnestly request that you give immeiliate and favor- 

 able first consideration to have your organization become afliliated with the 

 National Lumber Manufacturers' Association in order to carry out Secre- 

 tary Hoover's wish that one assticiation comprising manufacturers of all 

 kinds of lumber, as the National Lumber Manufacturers' .Vssociation does, 

 may be available to consider, advise and carry out the work that he has 

 initiated in the interest of the manufacturers and the public. 



[ Signed ] Edward III nes. 



Washington. D. C, June 13. — W. M. Ritter, Louisville, Ky. : I greatly 

 regret that work here with the Brazilian Commission makes it impossible 

 for me to attend the hardwood meeting this week. The economic progress 

 of our country makes association activities imperative. No industry 

 stands in greater need of intelligent and patriotic effort to promote trade 

 ethics and the public welfare than the one upon which you are engaged. 

 At this period when we have a man of large vision and high purpose as 

 Secretary of Commerce, who encourages with sympathetic advice and 

 counsel the very thing you are seeking to do, the industry should do every- 

 thing in its power to place itself in accord with his plans. I trust 

 you will set up an aggressive organization that will furnish the industry 

 and the public with the statistical and other information necessary to 

 intelligent production and distribution. Please convey to your associates 

 my sincere regret that these engagements here deny me the privilege of 

 being with you. I have discussed the plans freely with General Boyle, 

 who has the fullest comprehension of your industry, nnd I am looking 

 forward to beneficial results from your meeting. 



[Signed] John H. Kikby. 



Grand Rapids. Mich.. June 15. — Jno. M. Pritchard. Louisville, Ky. : 

 Greatly regi'et that I am unable to be with you. The lumber manufac- 

 turing industrj' is grossly misunderstood by the general public. This is 

 why we are continually placed on the defensive, frequently wrongfully 

 accused and threatened with governmental control. The chief task before 

 us today is to educate the public by nationwide circulation of the facts 

 surrounding our industry and by the simplification and standardization of 

 our trade practices. This end can only be reached through organizations 

 of manufacturers. We must forget our own individual fancies, for which 

 we can not get the approval of the majority, and work only for the greater 

 end, which will benefit all. My best wishes go with you. 



[Signed] John W. Bi.oDfiETT. 



Tor Plan Because "It Is Right*' 



On being called to the floor \V. M. Eitter remarked tliat he did 

 not have much to add, except that he felt so enthusiastic about the 

 plan that he could not help but feel that there was not enough 

 punch being put into the meeting, and he wanted everyone aroused 

 to the importance of the situation. He said: 



"For twenty or twenty-five years some of us have been strug- 

 gling along with good and bad years. We've been asleep at the 

 s^vitch. We figured when we sold a car of lumber the buyer could 

 do as he pleased with it. So many bad practices have come into 



