February 10. 191S 



Tlie annual meeting of the Xational Lumber Kxporters' Associa- 

 tion, the eijrliteenth in the history of the organization, which was 

 heKi at the Hotel Martinique, New York, January 23 and 24, is gen- 

 erally regardeil as the most important in its history, not only in 

 point of attcnilanee, but with re^iard to the deep interest mani- 

 fested in the proceedings. Notwithstanding the present serious in- 

 conveniences of travel, almost every section of the country was 

 represeuteil, members coming from as far west as Kansas City, Mo., 

 and as far south as Xew Orleans and Texas. The western delega- 

 tion was twenty-nine hours late, but had anticipated long delay on 

 the road and arrived in time to take part in the first sessions. 



Although the deliberations were confined to the lumber export 

 trade, other questions being only incidentally touched upon and 

 no formal action was taken on any of the problems that do not lie 

 entirely within the scope of the foreign lumber trade, the sessions 

 proved of great importance. The meeting was called to order by 

 Vice-President W. ,T. Eckman of Cincinnati, who has been acting 

 president since the death of George D. Burgess last summer. Im- 



freight rates today would not be nearly so high as they are. He 

 especially emphasized the necessity of having American sjups to 

 carry American forest products, and called attention to the state- 

 ment of the shipping board that the I'nited States would have 

 nearly 9,000,000 tons of shipping at the dose of 19)8. Mr. Eckman 

 touched on industrial co-operation and cooperation in the export 

 trade, and suggested that in order for the exporters to meet com- 

 petition after peace was declared, complete industrial co-operation 

 would be required. 



The remainder of the morning session was taken up with the 

 reading of the secretary's annual report, the annual report of the 

 foreign representative, Frank Tiffany of London, the statements 

 of the treasurer, and the reports of standing and special commit- 

 tees. The statements of Secretary Dickson and Mr. Tiffany, 

 proved to be of special interest. They went much into details on 

 numerous matters concerning individual members of the association, 

 and set forth what had been done to insure the movement of ship- 

 ments, the ad.iustmcnt of claims and the removal of difficulties con- 



FK.V.NK rKK. DEKMOTT, AUK. 

 I'UE.SIDK.NT 



II. M. DICKSO.N, H.VLTIMORE. 

 .•^ECKETAKY 



JOIIX L. AI.COCK. BALTIMORE. 

 TUEASUREU 



mediately after the gathering had come to order, a motion was 

 unanimously adopted suspending the regular procedure to act upon 

 a resolution of sorrow and regret on the death of Mr. Burgess, 

 which had been prepared by a special committee appointed at the 

 time of his demise. 



Acting President Eckman then delivered his annual address, 

 I which was exceptionally comprehensive and went into many of the 

 |''<]tiestions that have been occupying the attention of the exporters. 

 le referred not only to matters of importance to the National Lum- 

 tber Exporters' Association, but also to subjects of consequence to 

 lie entire country as well. He made reference to the Webb bill, 

 twhich permits combinations in the export trade j to government 

 ■control of railways and to river improvements as a means of facil- 

 litating the movement of traffic and keeping down the freight 

 rates. He devoted considerable time to the merchant marine and 

 fto the progress being made by the United States Shipping Board 

 lin its effort to again establish a merchant marine, and in this con- 

 |nection referred to the American people as a nation of ducks, 

 I.TThose future lies upon the water. He stated that nearly ninety 

 Iper cent of our foreign commerce was carried in ships of other 

 [nationalities prior to the war, and he further expressed the opinion 

 hat had America years ago established a merchant marine, ocean 



fronting the exporters at almost every turn. The afternoon ses- 

 sion was devoted to a consideration and discussion of the reports 

 of the secretary, the foreign representatives and of the various 

 committees, and this exchange of views brought out much informa- 

 tion of value to the members of the association. 



ELECTION OP OFFICERS. 



The session on Thursday morning was also consumed in discus- 

 sions of subjects related solely to the export trade and to condi- 

 tions prevailing at this time, while the chief business of the after- 

 noon session was the election of officers for the ensuing year, with 

 the following result: 



Preside.nt — Frank F. Fee, Fce-Croyton Hardwood Lumber Company, 

 Dcrmott, Ark. 



FiiisT Vice-President — R. S. IIuddlcstoD, IIuddleston-Marsh Mahogany 

 Company, New York and Chicago. 



Seco.sd Vice-Puesident — Gustav A. Farbcr, Russe & Burgess, Inc., 

 Memphis and London, England. 



SEcnET.Mtv and Tinmc Manager — Harvey M. Dickson, Paltlraore. 



Treasdrer — John L. Alcock, John L. Alcook & Co., Baltimore. 



BoAiu) OP Directors — Chester F. Korn, Korn-Conkllng Company. Cin- 

 cinnati, O. ; Edward Barber, Howard & Barber Lumber Company, Cincin- 

 nati ; W. J. Eckman, M. B. Farrin Lumber Company, Cincinnati ; Innez 

 Crichton, W. M. Rltter Lumber Company, Columbus, O., and London, 

 England, and Harry C. Fowler, Casc-Fowler Lumber Company, Macon, Ga. 



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