HARDWOOD RECORD 



29 



The fee derived from all collections was $1,111> or only fifteen 

 per cent of the actual amount collected, which is a very low rate. 



Questions discussed in Mr. Phippen's report were: Weighing in- 

 vestigations, wooden box investigation, the proposed five per cent 

 horizontal increase, rate cases, demurrage rules, bills of lading, New 

 York lighterage, etc. 



Mr. Phippcn concluded his report with the request that the asso- 

 ciation more fully utilize the service of the bureau, which is main- 

 tained for its benefit. 



Charles H. Barnaby of Greencastle, Ind., president of the National 

 Hardwood Lumber Association, was introduced by President Wal- 

 cott. Mr. Barnaby 's popularity was warmly attested by the very 

 cordial reception with which he was greeted. Mr. Barnaby said that 

 inasmuch as 150 members of the National Hardwood Lumber Asso- 

 ciation are also members of the wholesalers ' association, he felt 

 particularly pleased to have the opportunity of speaking. Mr. 

 Barnaby said that much of the success of the National Hardwood 

 Lumber Association could be attributed to the membership and efforts 

 of Buffalo lumbermen. He said that his organization had been 

 formed seventeen years ago for the purpose of securing unanimity 

 in grading and inspection rules for hardwood lumber. Mr. Barnaby 

 said that buyers previous to that time all had their individual in- 

 spection methods, and that the main consideration of selling a man 

 was a knowledge of his idiosyncrasies in this line. Mr. Barnaby 

 said that as a result of the hardwood association work, hardwood 

 inspection rules are now uniformly enforced throughout the country. 



Mr. Barnaby said that since the 1905 meeting of his organization 

 in Buffalo, at which time the association had only 300 members, it 

 has grown to a membership of over 900, and has 65 salaried and 

 fee inspectors working for it directly, in the United States east of 

 Kansas and in Canada. 



Mr. Barnaby closed his talk with an invitation to the members of 

 the association to attend the meeting of the National Hardwood 

 Lumber Association, which will also be held in Buffalo, June 18 

 and 19. 



President Walcott then introduced M. E. Preisch, chairman of 

 the committee representing Buffalo and the Tonawandas, constituted 

 for the purpose of affording proper entertainment for the visitors. 

 Mr. Preisch announced that the men 's smoker and reception, and 

 entertainment for the ladies the first night had been fully arranged, 

 and that the men had been given the privilege of attending either 

 of the functions. 



Edward EUer of Pittsburgh, chairman of the committee on legisla- 

 tion, followed Mr. Preisch. His report follows in part : 



Report of Committe on I<egislation 



No important national logislatlon affecting the lumber business was pro- 

 posed during the past year and there has, therefore, been no special matter 

 brought up for the consideration of the committee. 



Considerable work has, however, been done by our association which 

 bas been instrumental in helping the lumber business, largely in the state 

 of New York. This was due to the adoption of a new law regarding the 

 selling, marking and bundling of shingles. This legislation l)elng confined 

 to New York state and our worthy secretary, E. F. Perry, being on the 

 ground, It was natural and proper that he should talte upon himself the 

 privilege of doing the work and protecting the Interests of the lumber 

 dealers. Our association was very instrumental in working out a satis- 

 factory law and It is likely that the laws of other states will be framed 

 tc cover the good points of the New i'ork state law. 



Our secretary. Mr. Perry, has also spent a great deal of time In the name 

 of the association in working on the new proposed building code for the 

 city of New York. 



Our association has also been active In the matter of the proposed recom- 

 mendation regarding the workmen's compensation bill for the state of 

 New Y'ork. Through our association the bill was somewhat modified, 

 although the bill as passed Is considered most drastic. 



With reference to the matter of five per cent universal increase In freight 

 rates. This mutter received very serious consideration at the bands of 

 the board of trustees and after due deliberation It was thought best not 

 to attempt anything at all in connection with It on account of there being 

 80 much diversity of interests represented in this proposition and such a 

 wide difference of opinion regarding Its ultimate working. Should there 

 be any discrimination against lumber when the matter Is finally determined. 

 It will then be In Hue for our association to take up the matter through 

 Its proper committee and get fair and Just treatment. 



A recommendation has been made by one member of the committee that 



the association should pass a resolution favoring legislation whereby 

 timber will be taxed as a crop and not annually as at present. We hope 

 such a resolution will be presented to the association and receive favorable 

 consideration. 



In view of the importance of the discussion on car stake, a special 

 committee had been in force with a view of shaping congressional 

 action in this direction. C. F. Craig is chairman of this committee, 

 and his report was listened to with interest. This report also fol- 

 lows in part: 



Report of Special Congressional Car Stake Committee 



Apparently acting on the suggestion contained in the last annual report 

 of this committee, the board of trustees, at a meeting held on May 23, 1913, 

 requested that this committee hold a meeting and present to the board 

 its recommendations as to future action. 



Pursuant to this request, the car stake committee held such meeting 

 on November 11, 1913, and embodied its conclusions In the following 

 report to the board : 



The committee recommends that (1) Immediately after the present pro- 

 posed five per cent advance In freight rates shall be allowed by the Inter- 

 state Commerce Commission and become effective, the association shall 

 ascertain the probable cost of proceeding on the lines outlined by William A. 

 Stone, in his letter of September 27, 1910, addressed to F. R. Babcock, then 

 chairman of the committee. 



(2) That with the above information in hand, all afflUatcd associations 

 likely to be Interested In the matter shall be approached and their interest 

 judged by their willingness to render financial assistance. 



(3) With sufficient interest manifested, and with the necessary funds 

 in hand, the association shall then proceed, acting on the suggestions of 

 William A. Stone, who shall be employed as chief counsel to prosecute 

 the complaint. 



(4) Should the board of trustees adopt these recommendations and 

 order the committee to proceed with the case, the committee recommends 

 and solicits from the association a contribution from the treasury of $500 

 as a nucleus to the necessary fund and as an evidence of good faith to 

 cc-operating associations. 



In addition it is suggested that following the law on the subject of car 

 stakes as enacted and enforced and in practical operation in the state of 

 Florida, an effort be made to secure the passage of similar legislation in 

 as many as possible of other states originating considerable shipments 

 of lumber. 



-■it a meeting of the board of trustees held December 23, 1913, this report 

 was ably presented by F. R. Babcock and adopted by the board as presented. 



The appropriation of $-500 requested by the committee, as a nucleus of 

 the fund necessary for the prosecution of a new complaint, has been made 

 by the trustees and is now available for the purpose. 



The Florida state law, mentioned in the committee's report, was cited 

 in extenso in our last annual report. It gives, within the state of Florida 

 only, precisely the relief sought for by our former complaint before the 

 Interstate Commerce Commission and is being generally observed by the 

 railroads on intrastate shipments originating at Florida points. 



Pending the arrival of the psychological moment none of the affiliated 

 associations have been officially approached, but unofficial discussion leads 

 to the belief that all shippers affected by the former ruling of the com- 

 mission are chafing under the unjust expense to which they are subjected, 

 and that the time is ripe for a further attempt to obtain the relief to which 

 wc believe we are entitled. 



Not only as a matter of Justice, but as an economic problem In the line 

 of conservation of our natural resources, this subject is entitled to the 

 fullest consideration. 



The secretary then read a telegram from George H. Holt of 

 Chicago, saying that he would be in Buffalo on Thursday to discuss 

 the question of appropriating $1,000 to act in conjunction with 

 other associations, in the preparation of an experts report and 

 necessary statistics tending to disprove insurance statements and 

 statements made by advocates of substitute materials. 



Following the announcement of the banquet in the evening, the 

 meeting adjourned to Thursday. 



THURSDAY MORNING SESSION 



The Thursday morning session was called to order at 11:15 by 

 H. W. Blanchard. Mr. Blanchard read the report of Chairman 

 M. J. E. Hoban of Brooklyn on coastwise insurance, in the absence 

 of that gentleman. Mr. Hoban 's report said that the members of 

 the committee were widely separated and that as nothing of a 

 definite nature has been submitted no meeting had been called. The 

 report said that in the past five years recommemlations advocating 

 the formation of mutual insurance in coastwise insurance had been 

 made. He said, however, that conditions are gradually changing in 

 coastwise trade, and tonnage by vessel is yearly growing less; that 

 steamship lines are putting in service at the more important ports 



