i6 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



June 10, lOlS. 



was later organizcj a quartered oak club, and lastly an American 

 panel club, which has been most effeotivo of all. i 



Mr. Kline then reviewed tlio increasing friction and increasing 

 diversion of interests, which led up to tlie sujjcestions of the new con- 

 stitution, which was proposed later. Ho also outlined tl\o strong 

 point of the new constitution, especially recommending several of its 

 most pertinent features. 



Harry A. Wheeler of Chicago, former president of the Chamber of 

 Commerce of the United States, had fortunately been secured by 

 President Lord as the prominent drawing card of the occasion. Mr. 

 Wheeler is one of that rare type of men who can hold an audience 

 when speaking in a perfectly natural, conversational tone of voice, 

 and without the use of oratorical or dramatic flourishes or other 

 embellishments. This unusual accomplishment is a result of an even 

 more unusual personal magnetism and the fact that lie has a breadth 

 of vision and an insight into the broader, more universal problems 

 that face tlie country which enables him to overlook the petty dif- 

 ficulties which confront us today. Ordinarily Mr. Wheeler might be 

 taken as a theorist were it not that he has demonstrated his practical 

 business sense in an unmistakable way, being vice-president of one 

 of the largest banking institutions in the city of Chicago. 



The theme of Mr. Wheeler's talk, which was entirely extempora- 

 neous, was that any word of encouragement now will have to be more 

 of a sentimental nature than actual, and will have to be prompted 

 by the vision of the dawn that follows the period of greatest darkness. 

 His hope of encouragement was based on his belief that the average 

 man would rather be in the darkest period just preceding the dawn 

 than at the close of the era of prosperity and just about entering 

 into an era of depression. 



Mr. Wheeler expressed himself as not endeavoring to look at today 

 with undue enthusiasm, but that he does feel a measure of enthusiastic 

 gratitude for the conditions that have prevailed in the past few years 

 inasmuch as they have presented their lesson to the American busi- 

 ness public, a lesson which has been accepted and which has resulted 

 in vast strides ahead in the economic and industrial life of the 

 nation. 



Contrary to the former condition, according to Mr. Wheeler, co-op- 

 eration between business and government now rests more largely with 

 the attitude of business men rather than merely with the attitude of 

 the administration. He maintained that there has been nothing 

 unnatural or undeserved in the last decade nor is there anything 

 hopeless for the future; that the economic change from an agricul- 

 tural to an industrial nation has brought on a wave of new conditions, 

 to the end that all must feel its influence and arrive a* a new view- 

 point and prepare to make a new start in the strides ahead. 



Mr. Wheeler traced the hardships surrounding the administration 

 of business prior to the clear definition of the Sherman anti-trust 

 law. He said that decisions of all cases brought before the supreme 

 court were necessary and gradually a certain precedent and a certain 

 evidence of a clearer definition was shown. He said that all must 

 look beyond the question of immediate personal profits or the stop- 

 page of immediate personal profits due to the administration of the 

 Sherman law, and look ahead to the time when the full workings, 

 purpose and powers of that law have become definitely and clearly 

 established. This, however, must be evolved naturally, though neces- 

 sarily entailing under this evolution many hardships. 



According to the speaker, there is now a real welcome at Washing- 

 ton to the business man, whereas up to a very few years ago the 

 business man was looked upon with suspicion in the capital city. He 

 expressed himself as believing that the federal government is now 

 of the opinion that certain forms of monopoly, combinations and 

 agreement that would appear to be for the best interests of the coun- 

 try as a whole wUl be sanctioned by the administration. He referred 

 to President Wilson 's late speech before the Chamber of Commerce, on 

 combinations furthering export trade, and maintaining that if such 

 combinations would be sanctioned by the government it is but a step 

 for further sanctioning of similar combinations having to do with 

 domestic business. 



Perhaps the strongest statement in Mr. Wheeler's address had to do 

 with the question of destructively low prices resulting from uneco- 



nomic competition. It is useless to endeavor to apply the rules and 

 laws of conservation and at the same time make possible a competi- 

 tion so destructive as to make it necessary to limit tho selling prico 

 below tho cost of jiroduction. 



In touching on and analy/.ing the powers, or lack of jjowers, sur- 

 rounding the recently created industrial commission, Mr. Wheeler 

 spoke further on the prospects for tho country 's industrial future. 

 He maintained that wonders have been worked by the Chamber of 

 Commerce, and predicts great good from closer organized business 

 in the future. He predicted an appearance of the sunlight of prosperity 

 in the near future, which will rise on an era of unbroken prosperity 

 which will be without precedent in the history of the world. He 

 urged that we take unto oursehTCS the lessons of present conditions 

 and past errors, and enter into advanced laws of business methods 

 which will insure future prosperity. 



Mr. Wheeler was given a hearty vole of thanks by the members of 

 the association. 



The New Constitution 



Following his talk the question of the now constitution was sub- 

 mitted and adopted as follows: 



.\UTICLE I 



NAME 



This organization shall be known as The National Veneer and rand 

 Manufacturers' Association. 



ARTICLE II 



OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION 



The objects of this association shall be the promoting of more Intimate 

 social relations between manufacturers ; the cncourngemcnt of more can- 

 did business relations ; the Interchange of views and Information relative 

 to economics In manufacture ; the gathering and dissemination of statis- 

 tics relative to articles' manufactured ; the recommendation of a uniform 

 standard of grading and inspection of articles manufactured ; the securing 

 of mutual benefits and the promotion of mutual Interests In all lawful 

 ways. 



ARTICLE III 



MBMBEUSUIP 



Every bona fide manufacturer of veneer or panels In America, who Is 

 Of good repute for honesty and fair dealing, shall be eligible to regular 

 membership in this association. 



Every bona fide manufacturer or jobber of veneer or panel machinery, 

 repute for honesty and fair dealing, shall be eligible to associate mem- 

 bership In this association, provided, however, that no Jobber shall be 

 admitted unless he actually and habitually buys and sells veneer or 

 panels in his own name and maintains a warehouse and carries a sub- 

 stantial stock of veneer or panels therein. 



Every bona fide manufacturer or jobber of veneer or panel machinery, 

 equipment or supplies, who Is of good repute for honesty and fair deal- 

 ing shall be eligible to associate membership In this association. 



The right to sit In executive session and to vote shall be accorded to 

 regular members only. 



All applications tor membership shall be made In writing to the 

 secretary. 



ARTICLE IV 



OFFICERS 



The officers of this association shall be a president, three vice-presi- 

 dents, a secretary and a treasurer, all of whom shall be elected annually 

 to serve until their successors are elected and qualifled. 



The president shall appoint the board of directors, of which he shall 

 be the chairman and which shall be composed, besides himself, of one 

 vice-president and the chairman of each of the automatic committees of 

 regular members hereinafter provided for, who shall serve one year. 



ARTICLE V 



DOTIES OP OFFICERS 



President — It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all 

 meetings of the association; to Issue calls for special meetings when 

 necessary ; to appoint committees ; and to have supervisory authority 

 over the work of the secretary and other employes of the association. 



Vice-President — It shall be the duty of the vice-presidents, In their 

 order, to perform the duties of the president during bis absence or dis- 

 ability. 



Secretary — It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep the minutes 

 of all meetings of the association, board of directors, and of the execu- 

 tive committee; to collect and keep strict account of all dues and assess- 

 ments; to turn same over to the treasurer; to issue proper notice of all 

 meetings ; to prepare a report of the doings of bis office and submit same 

 to the meetings; to maintain and carry on a credit and inspection experi- 

 ence bureau lor the exchange of Information among the members concern- 

 ing the credit and inspection habits of buyers of veneer and panels; and to 

 perform such other duties as ordinarily fall to the office of the secretary or 

 that may be required of him by the president or the executive committee. 



Treasurer — It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive from the 

 secretary and take care of the funds of the association, giving receipt 

 for same ; to pay all bills when audited by the secretary and president. 



