July 25, 1922 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



18a 



On the side of consumption we find the furniture manufacturers, 

 for instance, specializing in the production of certain articles of 

 furniture, instead of manufacturing varied lines as formerly, thus 

 restricting the character of lumber and the number of sizes and 

 cuttings that can be advantageously used. In addition we find 

 entirely new uses for hardwoods, such as hardwood flooring, interior 

 trim, automobile bodies, etc., each presenting its own peculiar 

 problem, which must be considered if grading rules are to be con- 

 structed that will minimize the waste in utilization. 



A competent efficiency engineer specializing in wood using plants 

 recently told me that in conducting tests in a certain plant it was 

 found that there was a difference of as much as 30 per cent in the 

 same size cuttings produced from different grades of No. 1 common 

 lumber. Understand there was no question about the grade of this 

 lumber; all of it was carefully inspected and fully up to the specifia- 

 tions of the present rules. Gentlemen, I submit that if this is true, 

 and we know that it is true even without the testimony of efficiency 

 engineers, it is a matter which should give us some concern. 



Millman Must Consider Waste and Cost 



We must not delude ourselves in the belief that waste and cost 

 in the utilization of our product is of no concern to us. I am sure 

 that every thinking man realizes that every dollar's worth of 

 unnecessary waste, or cost, in utilization is a direct tax on this 

 industry, and with the keen competition that now confronts us 

 from metals, fiber products and other wood substitutes, it is most 

 important that all unnecessary waste and cost be eliminated, for 

 we cannot carry the handicap of excessive cost and successfully 

 meet this competition. 



Admittedlj' this is a condition that cannot be corrected in a day. 

 It can be brought about only through the complete and effective 

 unity of the hardwood manufacturers of this country. They can 

 do it, and do it better than any governmental agency, but if they 

 do not do it somebody else is going to do it for them. 



Careful Study Must Precede Change 



This is a problem that must be gone about with thoroughness. 

 The industry for the time being, and until such time as the prob- 

 lems can be completely worked out, must function under the inspec- 

 tion rules that now exist, inefficient and wasteful though they may 

 be, but the industry should immediately proceed to develop such 

 standards as will reduce waste and cost. This can only be done by 

 a very thorough survey of the situation, a careful study by com- 

 petent engineers of the requirements of the various branches of 

 consuming industries, taking into account the natural restrictions 

 under which the producer is laboring through the character of tim- 

 ber that is available and his manufacturing limitations. The 

 interest of the consumers in this subject must be developed, and 

 they should be asked to assist our engineers in working out this 

 problem. Each wood should be considered separately, and when all 

 this data has been collected, specifications could then be provided 

 that would more nearly meet the different consuming needs. It is 

 the elimination of waste and the reduction in cost that I am sure 

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

 desirable ends will be of material benefit to producers, consumers 

 and the public. 



I wish to emphasize the fact that no immediate change in rules 

 is contemplated. Not until we have learned exactly what is needed, 

 and then only after all manufacturers and the consuming interests 

 have been brought into complete agreement will the revision be 

 attempted. 



That, my friends, is only one of the purposes that actuated the 

 creation of the Hardwood Manufacturers' Institute. The big thing 

 is that there should be one great National organization of hard- 

 wood manufacturers, such as exists not only in every other branch 

 of the lumber industry, but in every branch of manufacturing in 

 this country. Only through such an organization can the manu- 

 facturer make himself felt and heard, and only through such a 

 medium can really constructive results be attained. 



To argue tliat a condition should be allowed to continue because 



it has existed for a long period of time is absurd. If that plan 

 had been followed, we would still believe the earth to be flat and 

 our means of locomotion would be the ox cart instead of the rail- 

 road train, the automobile and the aeroplane. We should not be 

 content to stand still, and I think it will be conceded that we should 

 grasp every opportunity that presents itself for constructive devel- 

 opment and advancement. 



Problem of Low Grades 



Take the problem of low grades, for instance. I don't know 

 what that means to you, but I do know that it is the one thing that 

 keeps the southern manufacturer continuously on the ragged edge 

 between profit and loss, I know it must be equally important to 

 you, for while we realize less per thousand feet, you have a much 

 larger percentage of such grades, and I imagine if this problem 

 could be solved, and the tremendous loss we sustain on this portion 

 of our product reduced or eliminated, it would bring joy to the 

 hearts of all hardwood manufacturers, regardless of from whence 

 they came. Bo you not realize the futility of trying to handle 

 such problems individually, or through small sectional organiza- 

 tions? Do you not realize that such problems are of interest solely 

 to the manufacturer, and therefore must be handled by an organi- 

 zation devoted solely to the interests of the manufacturer? Do you 

 not feel that more can be accomplished by all of us acting col- 

 lectively in such matters, by all of us directing our thought and 

 energies to the solution of such problems? I certainly do, and 1 

 believe you do, too. 



One other activity that this organization is undertaking is that 

 of mill inspection instruction service. We stand unitedly opposed 

 to all grade jugglery and manipulation, and have pledged ourselves 

 to do all we can to bring about the elimination of such practices, 

 believing that the industry through such practices has suffered 

 untold injury. Our miU inspection service will consist of periodical 

 visits to member mills by a competent member of our inspection 

 corps, who will confer with the inspectors employed by the indi- 

 vidual member and explain the official interpretation of the rules, 

 the purpose being to make the shipments of all members as uniform 

 as possible. 



We expect to carry on an advertising campaign appealing to the 

 consumer for his confidence and cooperation, and as soon as wt 

 have developed reasonably uniform grades. Association grade marks 

 wiU be adopted and it is our belief that these grade marks will be 

 so thoroughly established in the confidence of the consumer of our 

 products as to result to the decided advantage of our organization 

 and to each individual member thereof. 



Must "Ship What You SeU" 



In a recent conversation with a hardwood lumberman, who has 

 had an active part in the construction of the present rules of in- 

 spection, an objection was made to grade branding. This gentleman 

 frankly admitted that he did not ship what he billed, but that that 

 was nobody's business but his and his customer, and if his customej 

 objected, they could settle it between themselves. The Hardwood 

 Manufacturers' Institute has no patience with that view. We do 

 not want men holding such beliefs as members of our organization. 

 We believe eventually they "will see the light" and come to realize 

 that to ' ' ship what j-ou sell ' ' is not only right morally, but good 

 business, and when that realization does come to them, they will 

 find our door open and "Welcome" on the mat. 



We expect to establish a department devoted to logging to com 

 sider all of the important questions relating to this branch of om 

 industry. There are now various sectional organizations devoted 

 to this activity, but never have we given this subject the thought 

 or attention to which it is entitled, nor have we cooperated as we 

 should in the working out of the problems of this branch of oni 

 work. 



This organization must naturally function in protecting hardwood 

 manufacturers against antagonistic federal legislation, taxation, 

 regulation and all of the various like dangers that constantly con- 

 front us. 



