May 10, 1921 



HARDWOOD RKCORD 



23 



of the doctors of the old school. It would seem to be folly for any 

 mill to uttompt to cover u tenth part of the furniture manufac- 

 turers ' requirements. 



So this Program of Staiulardization evidently requires a lumber- 

 man to approach the production problem with reference to a partic- 

 ular field, rather than in a general way. In a word, he will be 

 under necessity to decide, not to manufacture dimension stock; 

 but to manufacture certain lines that careful surveys show (1) to 

 bo easily and reliably marketable; and (2) wliich interlock, so as 

 to use up all stock available for dimension to the best advantage. 

 Furthermore (3) he will install machinery with special reference 

 to his specialized lines. 



II. — Clearing the Ground 



If it is safe to say that the lumberman who is unable or unwill- 



ing to approach the standardization problem from the wood user's 

 point of view hail better stay oiit allogether; it is equally safe to 

 say that he also had better stay out unless he is prepared and 

 determined to dismiss a number of long settled and totally mis- 

 taken ideas about dimension stock. It will make all the difference 

 in the world whether the lumberman looks down on or looks up to 

 this program. We've got to respect our job. To mention some of 

 these fundamental o])ini«ns whicn are quite mistaken: 



1. That dimension stock is a low grade proposition. It will be 

 essential to success to root out this idea, though frequently it will 

 require a mental stump-]niller to turn the trick. This operation 

 would kill some of us. 



But the truth is that dimension stock stands out as the sole high 



{Continued on iKiffC 53) 



View of a large number of dimension "squares," manufactured by a concern with a reputation for accuracy. They are submitted to show the great measure 



of improvement needed before real dimension can be made 



The Home Building Council 



The idea of a local "Home Building Council," to advise and 

 encourage the prospective home-builder on every important phase 

 of the building problem, has been originated by Robert B. Goodman 

 of Marinette, Wis., a manufacturer of northern hardwoods and a 

 lumber association leader, who is giving a great deal of time .'ind 



thought to the difficult problem of overcoming the stagnation in 

 building. 



The idea has been presented by Mr, Goodman to several cities 

 in Wisconsin, where he has spoken at home building conferences. 

 His latest presentation of the plan was at Kenosha where he spoke 



