HARDWOOD RECORD 



25 



foundations. In starting a new yard a good idea is to build con- 

 tinuous pile foundations the full length of the alley. These can 

 be made from hewn sapling logs flattened on two sides. They can 

 be used the full length of the tree. In low ground posts or piles 

 can be driven for uprights. This plan, when piling is thus handled, 

 gives a place for roof boards and piling sticks off the ground, and 

 maintains a neat appearing yard. 



"I find that the waste about the average hardwood operation 

 is caused more through carelessness in handling lumber than in 

 actual manufacture. There is a great default in methods and 

 manners of economy and efliciency. The average man does not 

 seem to estimate the damage which accrues to him through let- 

 ting lumber lie around uncovered and in miscellaneous piles about 

 his plant. Many of them take very little care to pile lumber 

 accurately and carefully. 



"I find a vast amount of damage done to basswood, buckeye 

 and sap poplar -by staining iu the pile. This can always be 

 avoided or materially helped by using 2x4 dry hemlock or other 

 dry hardwoods in lieu of the usual one inch piling sticks. Dust- 

 ing each course with air slacked lime also matorially militates 

 against staining." 



The criticisms and suggestions made by the above correspondent 

 are timely and valuable, and the editor of the Eecord would sin- 

 cerely appreciate suggestions from many other hardwood manu- 

 facturers covering any little matters of economy and efficienc.y 

 that they employ and have found valuable in connection with the 

 manufacturing and handling of their business. Manufacturers 

 should recall that every time they help their neighbors to a sug- 

 gestion looking towards economy and efficiency they are helping 

 themselves. 



A Suggestion 



Several manufacturers and jobbers who are utilizing the 

 Eecord 's bulletin service in a mail campaign for business are 

 accompanying their stock lists and specifications of what they 

 have for sale with a self-addressed postcard, on the back of 

 which is printed a blank form, thus making a quick inquiry for 

 prices on various items. This card reads: "Kindly quote us 

 prices on the following items," and then a half dozen blank lines 

 are printed which are divided into columns, headed, "Amount, 

 thickness, grade, kinds. ' ' There is room at the bottom for 

 the signature of the person making the request. It is an excel- 

 lent little addition to the form letter and inspires a good many 

 inquiries. 



Canada's Tariff Relations 



A pamphlet on the tariff relations of Canada just published by 

 the Bureau of Manufactures of the Department of Commerce and 

 Labor, brings out some points not generally considered in current 

 reciprocity discussions. Three factors serve to complicate the 

 commercial relations of Canada with various countries, first, Brit- 

 ish preference; second, special trade agreements; third, most-fa- 

 vored-nations treaties. The tariff itself is triple in form, with a 

 separate column for the British preferential, the intermediate 

 and the general rates of duty. The whole of the British empire, 

 except Australia, enjoys the lowest preferential rates and nego- 

 tiations are now in progress with that commonwealth. While the 

 intermediate are not given effect by the tariff itself, they are 

 offered by the Canadian government on terms of reciprocity. 

 France benefited by this arrangement last year, but the remain- 

 der of the intermediate tariff is not yet in force. Other foreign 

 countries not enjoying tariff concessions under either arrange- 

 ment pay the duties of the general tariff column, the United 

 States being included among this number. 



The most-favored nations' treaties of Great Britain, binding also 

 upon the colonies, further complicate reciprocity negotiations. 

 Minister of Finance Fielding's resolutions in the Canadian par- 

 liament advise that if reciprocity with the United States becomes a 

 fact, the rates of the reciprocity arrangement shall at once become 



effective as regards those nations to which were extended the re- 

 duced rates, as specified under the French agreement, without com- 

 pensation. Comparatively little benefit would accrue to them, how- 

 ever, for the United States is chiefly interested in the articles of 

 export to Canada which would come under the proposed arrange- 

 ment. Canadian estimates claim that the reduction on imports of 

 the United States would reach $2,500,000, as compared with a re- 

 duction of about $120,000 on imports from Great Britain and a 

 little more than $30,000 on imports from the most-favored-nations. 

 Development of Canada's commercial relations is traced his- 

 torically, the distinct tariff tendencies receiving emphasis. The 

 Canadian attitude toward reciprocity is reviewed and compara- 

 tive tables are supplemented, itemizing present rates of duty on 

 imports into Canada from the United States, the reductions under 

 proposed arrangement of the rates applying to the other countries 

 of the world. 



Lumber Sales Managers' Association 



The oflicers and directors of the Lumber Sales Managers' Associa- 

 tion met in executive session at the Hotel LaSalle, Chicago, on 

 Saturday, April 8. The object of the session was to introduce a 

 general discussion as to the growth and prospects of the association, 

 which was organized February 23, last. The consensus of opinion 

 was decidedly optimistic, and judging by the expressions of those 

 present, the organization has made an excellent start. The following 

 letter was framed and sent out to all present and prospective members, 

 together with various other literature pertaining to membership: 



LUMBER S.\LES MANAGERS' LETTER 



On February 2.'jrd last this association was organized at 

 a meeting held at the Auditorium Hotel, this city, and 

 immediately thereafter notice of proceedings of such was 

 sent to a large numl>er of the manufacturers and whole- 

 salers iu different sections of the country. We have 

 received favorable replies in numbers, and memljerships and 

 applications on file at this date indicate an interest 

 beyond expectations. We ask you to study cai-efully the 

 objects of this association as outlined in enclosed copy of 

 its Constitution and Bj'-hiws. 



This association is to work on broad lines for the general 

 welfare and betterment of the lumber trade. It is national 

 in its scope, not confined to any one section, as evidenced 

 by the memberships and api)lications already on file from 

 following states : Massachusetts. New York. Pennsylvania, 

 Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, .Michigan. Ken- 

 tucky, Tennessee. North Carolina, West Virginia, Missouri, 

 Arkansas and Louisiana. 



The benefits to be derived from the association are such 

 as no other association can give. Article II in our by-laws 

 shows the scope of the work handled by the various 

 committees. 



This association will bring results to the wholesaler and 

 manufacturer who are eager to get, in reliable form, in- 

 formation regarding conditions, existing and prospective, 

 in the different lumber markets. 



This is not only an invitation to become a member, but 

 also an earnest appeal for an expression relative to the 

 value and necessity for an association of this character. 



Your earl.v response to reach us prior to the next meeting 

 of the board of directors early next month will be 

 appreciated. 



Yours truly, 

 Lu.MBER Sales Managers' Association. 



iug has already been overcome. The difficult phase of organiz 

 and with the present excellent nucleus made up of lumbermen of 

 standing from all over the country, to work upon, it should be a 

 question of but a short time when the Lumber Sales Managers' 

 Association will have become a factor distinct in itself and of 

 tremendous influence in all questions pertaining to the sale of lumber. 



Exports and Imports for February, 1911 



Advanced sheets from the Monthly Summary of Commerce and 

 Finance, covering details of exports and imports for February, 

 1911, as against those for the same month last year, have just been 

 received. 



The report shows that wood and manufactures thereof were im- 

 ported into the United States during February, 1911, to a total 

 value of $2,752,272, while the figures for February, 1910, were 

 $2,994,912. 



Exports of domestic woods and manufactures thereof for the 

 month of February of this year reached a total value of $7,447,- 

 550; for February last year the total amounted to $6,091,645. 



