u\m;. « nil a<;ii. ill., mk.misior 



KXECITIVE BOAUD 



XORMAX, LOUISVILLE. KY.. .MEMBER \V. 

 EXECUTIVE BOARD 



RITTER. i;OI.U.MBUS, O. 

 EXECUTIVE BOARD 



The nipthod ol preparing these reports is as follows : Upon receipt of 

 an Inquiry we immediately send out a printed form to our entire member- 

 ship requesting them to give their experience with the concerns listed, 

 based upon actual business dealings in the past. The answers to these 

 questions are reproduced exactly as they are received by us and sent in 

 strict confidence to all members who participate, without divulging the 

 names of the concerns giving the information. Any member is privileged 

 to ask for these reports. 



This feature of our work is not in competition with any recognized credit 

 organization. The information we give is usually of a character that can- 

 not be furnished by anyone else. This service is for members only and 

 there is no extra charge for It. 



SALES CODE 



The use of our sales code is becoming more prevalent and its value 

 recognized, and we urge all our members who are not usiqg it in making 

 quotations to give it their earnest consideration. 



Many concerns have printee^ on their letterheads immediately under the 

 salutation, others use a rubber stamp which is furnished by the secretary 

 upon request, the following : 



All quotations and contracts are made subject to the sales code and 

 Inspection rules of the Hardwood .Manufacturers" Association of the 

 United States now in effect, copy of which will be furnished on applica- 

 tion. 



This form was adopted by the executive board, after much thought and 

 Investigation, as being comprehensive and protecting alike buyer and seller, 

 and a clear understanding of the terms of sale before the order is closed 

 eliminates much trouble and possible loss in case of dispute, as the terms 

 of sale and method of adjustment are explicitly set forth in this code. 



EXECfTIVE BOARD MEETINGS 



Your executivj board during the past year has held four meetings, the 

 dates being May 17, August 20, November 28 and January 20. 



PIBI.ICITY DErARTMENT 



This department has issued during the past year eight bulletins in 

 which suggestions of Interest and importance to the industry have been 

 placed before the members. Along this line might be mentioned an article 

 in the July tiulletin in which attention was called to the fact that both 

 sides of the board must be considered in making a grade of lumber under 

 Hardwood Manufacturers' Association rules. This was done for the reason 

 that there existed, particularly in the consuming market, a feeling that 

 all of our grades were made strictly from the better face of the board. 



Also call attention to an article in the September issue on the ad- 

 vantages of .<!hipplng uniform grades. This was touched upon In this re- 

 port under the head of Mill Instruction. 



We believe that the "Stock Wanted " and "Stock For Sale" departments 

 of the bulletin has led to considerable new business for some of our 

 members. 



FINANCE 



The financial condition of the association, as set forth in the treasurer's 

 statement, which has been checked and approved by the ofBclal auditor 

 appointed by President DeLaney, is most gratifying. The association starts 

 the new year with all debts paid up to date of closing the books and with 

 a very substantial balance in the bank. 



Despite the fact that there has been some complaint of slow collections 

 In the past few months, the association has suffered very little In this 

 respect. Its members have realized that the organization is worth more 

 to them during periods of depression than at any other time and have not 

 withheld their flnanclal support. 



MEMBERSHIP 



The membership of the association has Increased very materially In 

 the past year, the gain being about thirty-eight per cent, the largest in- 

 crease for any year In its history. This is evidenced by the financial con- 

 dition of the organization, which is much better than at any time in the 

 past. 



Among our members are the largest producers of hardwoods and own- 

 ers of timber in the Southern hardwood district. 



FIGHT AGAINST SL'BSTITDTES 



We have taken an active part in the fight against substitutes which 

 has been waged by the lumber associations in the last few months. Espe- 

 cially have we tried to have the interests of lumbermen protected in the 

 steel car legislation by asking our members to take up the fight through 

 their congressmen and senators, from whom numerous letters have been 

 received promising their support. We think that the result has been that 

 most of the legislators from the hardwood producing district are now 

 thoroughly alive to the interest of their constituents and that when bills 

 are presented proposing the elimination of wood from car construction 

 good reasons will have to be shown why it should be eliminated before 

 such will receive their support. 



We do not favor the wooden car, but we do believe that the combined 

 steel and wood car has merits that are worthy of consideration, and all we 

 ask is that before any laws are enacted both sides shall be given a fair 

 and impartial hearing and that the case be decided on its merits, and 

 that lumber shall not be legislated out because of the public hysteria 

 which has been created by lurid accounts of wrecks which have been pub- 

 lished without proper consideration of the real cause. 



Your secretary has devoted more than half of his time since coming 

 with you May 1 to traveling among the mills in the interest of the asso- 

 ciation. Personal work is the most effective means of building up and 

 maintaining the organization. 



It is gratifying to see the interest that the concerns not yet affiliated 

 with us take in our work, and the general feeling is that the Hardwood 

 Manufacturers' Association of the United States is the one great organiza- 

 tion which has made it possible for the producer of hardwood lumber to 

 market his product at a reasonable profit and for the consumer to feel 

 sure that when he buys lumber he will receive what he has ordered. 



This has been accomplished largely through our grading rules, which 

 have been framed with the interest of the manufacturer and consumer in 

 mind ; the inspection department, which stands for a square deal on both 

 grades and measurement, and its publicity department, through which it 

 endeavors to keep its members in touch with market conditions and all 

 things of vital interest to the industry. 



I desire to thank the members of the association for their assistance 

 In helping to promote the welfare of the organization and their coflpera- 

 tlon with the officers In the work that has shown such good results the 

 past year, 



E, H, Vansant then moved that the president appoint committees 

 on officers' reports and on resolutions. The motion being carried, 

 President DeLaney appointed as the committee on officers' reports 

 E, A. Lanjr, chairman; G. E, Luehrumnn, S, B. Anderson and 

 Claude Moore, On the resolutions eoniiuittee he appointed Thomas 

 W. Fry, chairman; A. P. Steele and Kalph May. 



The afternoon session was opened by a motion from R, H. Van- 

 sant, suggesting that the president appoint the nominating commit- 



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