HARDWOOD RECORD 



41 



WM, E. LITCHFIELD, BOSTON, MASSACHU- 

 SETTS VICE PRESIDENT 



J. H. FUIANT 



MOREHOUSE'. MISSOURI VICE- 

 PRESIDENT 



WM. I. P,ARR. GREENFIELD. OHIO VICE- 

 PRESIDENT 



Eai'ly in 1010 it became known tbat the railroads desired to make 

 changes in their tariffs, increasing the freight rates on a number of 

 woods in difl'erent territories, especially those in which we are most 

 interested, but the Interstate Commerce Commission caused a delay in 

 the operation of such increases until they could investigate the condi- 

 tions to determine whether or not the desired changes were justified. A 

 further delay was made, and we are now advised that the period of delay 

 will end on February 1. 



A freight traffic meeting was held at New Orleans early in 1910, which 

 was mainly preliminary to having this matter carefully looked into, and 

 at which no definite action was taken. 



We are now advised of a lumber traffic meeting proposed to be held. 

 as we understand, in the near future. You can expect full reports from 

 our transportation committee, which has such matters in charge. 



Meeting of the lumber traffic men under the auspices of the manager's 

 office of the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association is to be held in 

 Chicago, Auditorium Annex, February 8. 9 and 10. For any further 

 information, suggest that you write Leonard Bronson, manager, Fisher 

 Building, rhieago. 111. 



Bureau of Commercial Reports 



As you know, we have had in effect since the organization of this 

 association a system of commercial reports, whereby our members desir- 

 ing to have information concerning prospective customers could inquire 

 of us and we would immediately endeavor to obtain from our members 

 who had business dealings with such concern, on a blank form pre- 

 pared for such purposes, information as to the result of such dealings. 

 This information, when received, would be compiled and sent to all of 

 our members. 



We found frequently that the returns would not be received quickly 

 enough to serve the purpose desired by our members in making these 

 inquiries. Consequently wo have this .year made a few changes in this 

 system, whereby we are able to send out inquiries to our members 

 more frequently, and in place of awaiting full returns we compile the 

 information as it is received and forward at once to the party desiring 

 the same. 



At the same time if we find, through this system, concerns who are 

 acting in an unbu.sinessliko manner, we advise our members that we 

 have information on file at the office regarding- such concern, and that 

 if they are interested they can obtain such information on inquiry. 



In this connection we would also state tbat all of the information 

 obtained in working out this system is always held by the secretary's 

 office in strict confidence, and we would very much appreciate if the 

 meml>ers would look over these inquiry blanks carefully as soon as re- 

 ceived, and if you have had business dealings with any of the firms make 

 note of the same and return the form to our office. The party inquiring 

 for information may have a profitable order held up pending the receipt 

 of information so inquired for. It will help the department very ma- 

 terially it you will give this your attention, and will make our file of 

 more value to our members, who may at any time be interested in receiv- 

 ing this class of information. 



We have been recommended more highly on this department than on 

 any other department, aside from the Bureau of Grades. It is a depart- 

 ment which is much appreciated by your credit men, and we shall con- 

 tinue to use every effort possible to improve this service in line with 

 suggestions that have been received, and desire to give our members the 



best and quickest action possible on their inquiries along this as well as 

 all other lines of inquiry. 



Department of Stock Sheets 



This system of issuing every little while a compilation of stock 

 wanted and surplus stock for sale has been of great benefit to many oi 

 our members, both in the producing and in the purchasing end. We 

 very frequently have inquiries from purchasers for certain items of stock 

 which we know are handled by many of our members. 



Again, this system as carried out by our members, is of incalculable 

 benefit in determining the condition of stocks at any time during the 

 year by knowing the stocks wanted, the kinds of woods and the various 

 grades and thicknesses in most demand, and again in the stock for sale 

 division, the items which are moving most slowly automatically becoming 

 an accurate barometer of trade conditions, which would be of great benefit 

 to all of our members. We have a great many requests from people 

 who are not members of the association for information as to certain 

 items of stock which they greatly desire. 



The suggestions for improvement in this department which have 

 been received, made by our members, are being carefully considered, and 

 we think it would be well if a committee would be appointd who would 

 give this system tlieir attention as occasion might require. 



Appointment of Chief Inspector 



At the meeting of the executive board held on October 29, as hereto- 

 fore mentioned, the secretary was appointed chief inspector of the asso- 

 ciation, and in such capacity I have Investigated a number of claims 

 where the certificates of our official inspector had been objected to ; the 

 boards complained of, I have found, were very close line boards, and 

 the objections made were purely technical. In all such cases I have 

 thoroughly explained our grading rules to the parties where lumber 

 was l>eing inspected, and the exact manner in which the interpretation 

 should lie made. 



New Acts of Congress — Passed and Pending 

 Postal Savings Banks 

 As you are probably aware Congress has passed a bill permitting post- 

 offices throughout the country to receive for deposit small sums of mone.v 

 from individuals at a low rate of interest, two percent per annum, to 

 provide a safe system of savings, guaranteeing against loss to such 

 depositors. 



Adjustment of Postal Charges 

 There is also agitation in favor of reducing the amount of postage on 

 first-class matter from two cents per ounce, the present scale, to one cent 

 per ounce, the present scale for merchandise. We believe that no bill has 

 yet been drafted, but there is prospect that it may be in the early future. 

 Parcels Post 

 A bill is now pending, as we understand, for the purpose of establishing 

 tlirough the postoffice a parcels post, along lines similar to that used in 

 oiher countries, making it possible to send parcels through the post or 

 subsidiary thereto at much less expense than now, and increasing the 

 classes of matter so to bo sent in a manner through the postoffice, but 

 whicli must now be sent through the agency of some express company at 

 considerable and an excessive cost. 



Protection of Watersheds — Appalachian Forest 

 Tlu'v h:iii been prepared a bill known as House bill No. 1179S entitled 



