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Hardwood Record — ^Veneer & Panel Section 



October 10, 1922 



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Why Not Scientific Grading for Veneers? 



It is reasonable to believe that the movement now on foot to 

 place hardwood grading on a "scientific" basis, by means of a com- 

 prehensive survey of consumers' needs, may influence future im- 

 provements in the grading of veneer and plywood, particularly 

 veneer. If grades of lumber can be successfully adjusted to the 

 findings of a scientific survey of consumers' requirements, and thus 



ke for elimination of waste and greater efficiency in handling 



d manufacturing, there is no reason why the same program 



ght not be applied to veneers. In other words, we are headed 

 now toward .the setting up of grades on a scientific basis in the 

 lumber industry and it looks like a good time for the veneer industry 

 to get into the band wagon too for its own future good as well as 

 for better service to the veneer consuming public. 



There has been a lot of splendid work done in the matter of 

 veneer grades and specifications and there has been a steady trend 

 toward standardization. It is no reflection, however, on those who 

 helped carry forward this good work to say that there is still much 

 confusion and too much variety in the separation and classification 

 of veneer, and there is need to consider the subject of grades from a 

 scientific standpoint as well as to seek for some standardization of 

 some sizes which will contribute to economy of manufacturer as 

 well as better utilization of timber. In it all, too, there must be 

 consideration for and a study made of the needs of the veneer 

 consumers. 



The theory developed out of conference with Secretary Hoover 

 at Washington is that the manufacturers of a product, whether it 

 be of lumber or veneer, are the logical ones to develop gradmg 

 rules, standards as to sizes, and practices as to sales and distribu- 

 tion. But they should do this in a scientific manner which natur- 

 ally involves an intelligent survey of the needs and desires of the 

 consumers as well as a thoughtful analysis of the requirements for 

 better utilization of timber. In this work the veneer industry may 

 well either join with or follow after the methods being used by the 

 National Lumber Manufacturers' Association, which is employing 

 expert engineering service and is enlisting the co-operation of the 

 laboratories of the Forest Service in developing uniformity of 

 standards both as to sizes and to grade specifications for the lum- 

 ber industry. 



Scientific grades as well as more in the way of simplified 

 standard sizes will eventually be set up in the veneer industry. 

 Therefore, why not now? Why not the veneer division get into 

 the band wagon with the various other organizations of manu- 

 facturers and have included in the present work of standardization 

 in lumber products a division of veneers and thin lumber? 



J. Crow Taylor, Louisville, Ky. 



Leaves Hartmann to Start Trunk Factory 



George Wheary, vice president and manager of the Hartmann 

 Trunk Company's factory, has resigned and will start a new 

 factory at Racine, Wis. The company will be capitalized at $500,- 

 000. A location has been secured and within 60 days operations 

 will start. It is believed that by Jan. I the company will be 

 employing 200 men. Trunks will be made on inventions secured 

 by Mr. Wheary in the past ten years of his service with the Hart- 

 mann trunk company. During the nineteen years of his association 

 with the company Mr. Wheary has gained a reputation nationally 

 as a trunk maker. He won first prize, a gold medal and diploma at 

 the Panama exposition in 1915 for his work. Mr. Wheary is said 

 to be responsible for the upbuilding of the reputation of the Hart- 

 mann wardrobe trunk. He will attempt to build an improved 

 model in his new Racine company plant. 



Organize to Manufacture Veneers 



For the purpose of manufacturing veneer products, the Gosport 

 Veneer Company has been organized at Gosport, Ind., with a 

 capital stock of $10,000. The organizers are John E. Norris, 

 Horace W. Nordyke and Minor W. Davis. 



Japanese Government Man to Study Plywood 

 Making in New Albany Plant 



The Imperial Government of Japan will learn about plywood 

 from the New Albany Veneering Company of New Albany, Ind. 

 The Department of Agriculture and Commerce of this government, 

 after a careful study of the veneer and panel manufacturrng 

 plants of the country has just placed C. Matsushima in the New 

 Albany plant to study the American methods of plywood manu- 

 facture. The selection of the New Albany Veneering Company 

 plant for this important study is regarded as a recognition of the 

 thoroughly modern, complete and efficient equipment and methods 

 of this plant. E. V. Knight, president and general manager of the 

 company, is being congratulated on this very direct compliment. 



About a year ago a representative of the Japanese Govern- 

 ment visited the United States and made a tour of the plywood 

 plants. Among the cities visited was New Albany, and the rep- 

 resentative spent several hours on a trip of inspection through 

 the plywood plant of the New Albany Veneering Company in 

 company with William E. Falk, secretary. The Japanese visitor 

 said his itinerary had included over three score of plywood plants. 



After the departure of this distinguished visitor, the New Albany 

 people heard nothing further for several months and then were 

 notified that their factory had been selected as the one best 

 suited to the purpose of the Department of Agriculture in in- 

 stalling a student to learn the plywood manufacturing business 

 from top to bottom. Arrangements were then made for the placing 

 of the student on the payroll. 



Armed with his credentials, Mr. Matsushima arrived in New Al- 

 bany a few days ago and immediately set to work. He comes as 

 a representative in his native land of the Akita Lumber Company, 

 of Noshiro, and the Japan Plywood Company, of Tokyo. For 

 the past seven months he has been employed in the plant of the 

 Wheeler-Osgood Company, Tacoma, Wash., manufacturers of 

 mouldings, veneered panels and sash and lumber, and his work 

 in this city is expected to occupy the greater part of a year. He will 

 shift from one department to another in the local plywood plant 

 as he acquires and absorbs the working knowledge of each and 

 masters the various intricacies of the manufacture of plywood 

 material. 



Mr. Matsushima is a typical representative of the Japanese race, 

 short, wiry and muscular. He is cultured and educated and speaks 

 English but not fluently, but with his lengthened stay in the United 

 States he will probably return to Nippon, Land of the Sun, with 

 an extended vocabulary. 



Furniture Factory Organized 



The Gilbert Furniture Company recently was organized at 

 Evansville, Ind., for the purpose of manufacturing furniture. The 

 company has a capital stock of $25,000 and the organizers are Gus 

 A. Schlosky, Cornelius Gilbert, Edwin F. Karges, Alfred E. Small 

 and Norman Scholz. 



First Jamestown Furniture Manufactory Near 

 Century Mark 



Jamestown will celebrate its hundredth anniversary as a fur- 

 niture city next year, when the Eckman Furniture Co., a suc- 

 cessor to the Breed Furniture Co., reaches the century mark. 

 William Breed, a cabinet maker from Saratoga County, N. Y., 

 established a shop in Jamestown 99 years ago. It grew and an- 

 other was built. In a short time he was making bureaus, instead 

 of chests of drawers, and sideboards, instead of cupboards. In 

 1852, John A. Johnson, a skilled cabinet maker from Sweden, 

 became associated with the Breeds, and when he died was presi- 

 dent of the company. The Eckman plant succeeded to the busi- 

 ness and Charles L. Eckman, secretary and treasurer, as well as 

 manager, has directed the plant for the past twenty-five years. 



