June lU. T.)T 



EAIJL I'AI.MER, PAItUlAII, KV., DIHKlTdlt 



I'lIEO. FATIIAVEK, CIIICACO, DIliECTDU 



I'KANK 



SECRETARY 



have been taken from ouf midst (luring the past year. I used tliem, 

 feeling that they have a greater signiflcance than any that I might coin. 

 Living up to those principles and seelting to co-operate with those to 

 whom we sell our goods, to the end that such co-operation will be more 

 profitable to both parties, together with trying to reconcile the dif- 

 ference that exists between us and our sister liardwood organization, con- 

 stitutes our year's work. 



Secretary's Report 



Immediately following the address by President Babcock, the sec- 

 retary, Frank F. Fish, presented a full and concise paper which set 

 forth the work and purposes of the association, and also a statement 

 of its inspection activities during the fiscal year. This report approxi- 

 mately in full is here given: 



The momentous events which have transpired during the current fiscal 

 year of this association which ends with this, the eighteenth annual 

 meeting, have been of such world-wide import and have carried with 

 them such a burden of improbable horror, material loss and human 

 suffering that the ordinary affairs of life have, in a measure, lost their 

 significance and seem to be almost unworthy of a place in the record 

 of the year. But this is neither the time nor place to recount those 

 larger happenings. 



It would be futile even to attempt an outline of the effect that these 

 untoward events have had upon the financial, commercial and industrial 

 interests of this membership, or to essay a prophecy as to what the 

 ultimate consequences of the stupendous cataclysm will be upon those 

 interests. What the future holds in store for us must necessarily come 

 within tlie realm of prophecy. 



While the time that has elapsed between our former meeting in Buf- 

 falo and the present meeting has not constituted a period of prosperity 

 for the individual lumberman, this association has maintained its pres- 

 tige, expanded its influence, increased its membership and is today in a 

 stronger position than it has ever been in the past. If we pause to con- 

 sider this statement, the veracity of which is absolutely beyond ques- 

 tion, we are compelled to the further consideration of tlTe reason or 

 reasons which have made possible such a favorable showing on the part 

 of the association under generally unfavorable conditions ; and we are 

 forced to the conclusion — because there is no other conclusion — that the 

 work attempted and accomplished by the National Hardwood Lumber 

 Association in the interests of its members, possesses such a degree of 

 Inherent merit as to render its offices absolutely necessary under any set 

 of conditions, to those who would successfully conduct a reputable bard- 

 wood lumber business. Indeed, it is doubtful if those oflBces were ever 

 more urgently required or if they have ever been exercised with a greater 

 degree of benefit to this membership than during the past year. For, 

 as has been pointed out from time to time by the officers of this asso- 

 ciation, there is never a greater need for protection from unfair inspec- 

 tion than when the market is falling apd the trade is in a condition of 

 panic and disorganization. Passing conditions have no effect upon 

 national inspection. The inspection of this association is applied in the 

 same manner at all times without regard to market conditions; and 

 under it the lumberman is required to deliver only the grade or grades 

 that he sells, whether the demand for lumber is light or heavy. 

 The Question of Grades 



The popularity of impartially certified grades, evidenced by the bonded 

 certificate of this association, is steadily increasing among the producers 

 and consumers of hardwood lumber, as the value of such grades are not 

 problematic, but are already determined by competent authority, and 



there is at the present time a sincere desire on the part of a large ele- 

 ment of the consuming trade to co-operate with this association in its 

 efforts to permanently standardize grades of hardwood lumber. This is 

 the same element that one year ago was in open opposition to the worls 

 being performed by this organization. This desirable change in attitude 

 has resulted from a better understanding of the aims and methods of 

 this association and further emphasizes the progress that has been made 

 during the past year. 



The common ground whicli the lumberman and his customer may 

 jointly occupy is intelligence and honesty. Neither should seek to get 

 the best of the other. The lumberman should deliver the grade he sells 

 and the customer should accept the grade he buys. The disinterested 

 offices of the National Hardwood Lumber Association enables each party 

 to the transaction to achieve this desirable result with practical certainty. 



The foregoing statement is qualified by the word "practical" because 

 of the human element that enters into the transaction. Any equation 

 containing this element for one of its factors must provide for marginal 

 error. That error still persists and always will persist in the inspec- 

 tion of lumber by this association, or by any other human instrumentality, 

 must be admitted. But in the inspection of this association the margin 

 of error is steadily decreasing. It was greater two years ago than it 

 was last year. It will be less next year than it has been this year. 

 The records are at hand to bear out the truth of this statement. 



But this association does not rest with the admission of the possibility 

 of error, nor with its acknowledgment when its actual existence is made 

 apparent. Machinery is provided that can immediately be set in motion 

 upon proper notice and, if the error is proven to exist, immediate cor- 

 rection of it is made directly from the treasury of the association to the 

 party suffering loss. 



Sentiment Opposes Frequent Changes 



There is a constantly increasing sentiment on the part of this mem- 

 bership against frequent and radical changes in the rules of inspection. 

 A widespread feeling has developed that permanence is the clement most 

 desirable in accepted standards and the general belief prevails that the 

 absolute value of this element more than offsets any ephemeral gain that 

 might result to the lumbermen from further changes in the rules. 



In each monthly issue of the official bulletin space is set aside for a 

 statement of loss and gain in the membership and a review of the twelve 

 bulletins for the fiscal year closing with this meeting will show that 

 fifteen concerns who have seen fit to withdraw from the association have 

 voluntarily returned to its ranks after a few months. Does not this 

 fact confirm our claims of recent years, that the National Hardwood 

 Lumber Association has successfully established a service that is very 

 necessary, if indeed, not indispensable, to the successful conduct of the 

 hardwood lumber business? 



Since the Buffalo convention, June 18 and 19, 1914 (less than one year 

 ago), 136 new applications for membership have been received, of which 

 9 were rejected on account of being ineligible or undesirable. The 

 record of failures and withdrawals from business greatly exceeds that 

 of any previous year in the association history, and numbers 141. Twenty- 

 nine have been dropped on account of being delinquent in dues and 

 thirteen have resigned. The total number of new members admitted 

 during the year is 127, which brings the present number of members in 

 good standing to 845. 



Inspection Statistics 



The figures in detail of the inspection department for the year ending 

 May 1, 1915, showing the quantity of lumber inspected In each market 

 with the amount eai-ned and exact cost of maintenance are submitted 

 below : 



—25— 



