June 2o, 1917 



JOHN W. McCLURE, MEMPHIS, TEXX.. 

 CHAIRMAN INSPECTION COMMITTEE 



GEO. H. CHAPMAN, STAXLEr, WIS., 

 MEMBER INSPECTION COMMITTEE 



W. L. SAUNDERS, CADILLAC, MICH., 

 MEMBER INSPECTION COMMITTEE 



with him as chairmnn there was not a member in the association, if he 

 had the time, w'ho would not be glad to serve with him on the committee. 

 I cannot give too much praise to him and every one of his committee. 

 With the highest regard for ever.v one of my distinguished predecessors, 

 not one of them ever selected a more able, competent, self-sacriflcing, hand- 

 some committee. Doubtless it is important to have it decided whether the 

 good or poor side of a number two or three common board shall have the 

 preference. The Divine Tfacher said of some of the men of his genera- 

 tion, that "they tithed mint and anise and forget the weightier matters 

 of the law," or as He put it on another occasion, "strain at a gnat and 

 swallow a camel." While it is argued and probably true that the increased 

 cost of production with rapidly diminishing timber supplies warrant some 

 slight modifications in our present inspection rules, let us not overlook 

 the fact that it is not improbable that laws may be passed by Congress 

 that will take many more dollars out of our pockets than these slight 

 modifications of our rules can possildy put In them. An analysis of the 

 laws passed in Con^'rcss the last few years shows but little legislation 

 favorable to the man who lills the pay envelope, but no end of it favorable 

 to the man who receives it. 



While the main object of this association has been, is, and ought to be 

 as the last clause of article three of our constitution declares, "to establish, 

 maintain and apply a uniform system for the inspection and measurement 

 of hardwood lumber." the first clause of this article three reads, "Its 

 object (the association) is to promote the welfare and to protect the 

 interests of the hardwood trade." This covers a very large field, and a 

 very wide range. Have we cultivated this field as much as we ought ? And 

 have we not been too near-sighted to see the full import of the meaning 

 of this clause? To ray mind, it is not enough for you and me that our 



lumber is properly measured and inspected and the great purchasing 

 element of lumber should have an absolute guarantee that they get the 

 quality and quantity they buy. If these constitute the sum total to a 

 successful and profitable lumber business, the millenium for us is here and 

 now-. I am aware that there are some timid, cautious conservatives who 

 believe nothing is valuable that is not venerable. Like the statesman 

 described by Macauley, they prefer to perish by precedent, rather than 

 be saved b.v innovation. They adhere to ancient failures rather than incur 

 the risk of success through venture and experiment. Do not think for a 

 moment that I belittle or undervalue the importance of having the best 

 possible set of grading rules the wisdom of man can devise. It is the 

 cornerstone and foundation upon which this magnificent association is built, 

 and upon which it has grown and prospered, but there are many subjects 

 of national legislation that vitally affect thi- lumber industry. Perhaps the 

 most prominent are rail and water transportation, labor, taxes and the 

 tariff. The clause of the constitution which I have read to you, "to pro- 

 mote the welfare and protect the interests of the hardwood trade" warrant 

 me in bringing them to your attention and in doing so, there is no selfish, 

 sectional or partisan purpose. 



I suggAt for your consideration, the creation of a legislative committee, 

 perhaps the executive committee, who shall h.ave the same power in rela- 

 tion to national legislation as they have in association tnatters. I first 

 call your attention to the proposed increase in freight rates. I do not 

 believe there is a member of this association who is not willing to bear his 

 fair share of the public burdens, but we do want these burdens fairl.v and 

 honestly distributed. The facts warrant the statement ithat hind>er is the 

 safest, surest, most economical and remunerative material or commodity 

 tlie railroads haul, and in quantity, at the ti>p or near it. A fifteen per cent 



J. L. BENAS, ST. LOUIS, MO., 

 MEMBER INSPECTION COMMITTEE 



M. G. TRUMAN, CHICAGO, 

 MEMBER INSPECTION COMMITTEE 



JI. J. FOX, IRON MOUNT.VIN. MICH., 

 MEMBER INSPECTION COMMITTEE 



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