February 10, ]fl6 



GEO. H. CHAPMAN, STANLEY. WIS., NEW 



CHAIRMAN BUREAU OF GR.VDES AND 



MARKET CONDITIONS COMJIITTEE 



OEO. 



E. FOSTER, 

 ELECTED 



MELLEN, WIS., 

 TREASURER 



I!K- M. .1. QUINLAN. SOPERTON, WIS.. RETIRING 



CHAIRJLiN BURE.iU OF GRADES AND 

 MARKET CONDITIONS COMMITTEE 



portaut gatherings, fairs, univer.sities, and, If possible, higli schools and 

 manual training schools. 



Such work with proper "follow up" will, in my judgment, be reflected 

 in an increased demand for birch in a way that has never been expe- 

 rienced by any other wood. Give a permaneut prestige to "America's 

 Finest Wood." 



I am not here today to urge that a subscription be talten for birch 

 advortlsins;, but rather to point out the wonderful advantages which this 

 wood has from a promotion standpoint. New uses for wood can be found 

 and the total amount used in some channels at present can be materially 

 increased. 



I want you to appreciate the limited birch advertising and exhibition 

 work which the association is now doing, and at some future time determ- 

 ine whether good business judgment does not demand that we get back 

 of birch in force and add another 100,000,000 feet per year to its con- 

 sumption. 



The treasurer's statement shnwp.l a lialanee of .'t;l,4"l.;>0 with 

 expenrlitiires of $26.619..58. 



Secretary Swan Tells of Development of Constructive Associa- 

 tion Work 



Secretary Swan talked extemporaneously on being called upon by 

 President Goodraan, wlio complimented him on the effective work he 

 has been doing and assured liiiii of the appreciation of the members. 



In prefacing his remarks Tifr. Swaiu said that his outline for con- 

 ditions and the course of a.->;ion for the nest year is: "Fine busi- 

 ness; lots of it; push it hard; deliver the goods and deliver them 

 light ; have ;iiore hope, more faith and less charity in selling. ' ' 



Mr. Swan gave a very intelligent and comprehensive outline of 

 conditions that have led up to the present development in associa- 

 tion work, tracing the course of ups and downs in marketing since 

 190S. Ho said that up to ihe time things began to break seriously 

 association work was made up mainly of routine, but after the de- 

 pression had been with the trade for a considerable period it was 

 realized that there were underlying forces combating the best inter- 

 ests of lumbermen. He said that in the Middle West the passing of 

 the initial period of construction, when everything was needed in a 

 hurry and in big quantities, resulted in a decreased and less consistent 

 demand ; that with stumpage values going up, with over-production 

 following over-taxation and with other forces to the same end, the 

 best minds in the trade began to figure out necessary measures for 

 meeting these conditions. These measures began to culminate last 

 year, resulting in the formation of association work all over the coun- 

 try along constructive lines, and woqderful things have been ac- 

 complished since then. 



He traced the effect of this development in the Wisconsin associa- 

 tion, showing the work had been divided up into departments of 

 transportation and legislation, statistics, grades and promotion, each 

 under the final direction of members of the association and actively 

 administered through the association office. 



He exjilained the workings and accomplishments of each of these 

 bureaus, showing how under the bureau of grades the development led 

 to affiliation with tlie hardwood inspection department of the A'ational 

 Hardwood Lumber Association, under which arrangement all mem- 

 bers making one million feet or more a year of hardwoods have en- 

 joyed the regular service. This bureau was also responsible for meet- 

 ings for the improvement of manufacture and sales. 



Mr. Swan maintained that the inspectors already report improved 

 conditions both in manufacture and in the uniformity of grades, due 

 to the work of this bureau. 



The duties and purposes of the bureau of transportation and legis- 

 lation and the bureau of statistics were sketched in outline, Mr. 

 Swan demonstrating the disceruable effect of this work and paying 

 a compliment to the bureau members. 



The work of the bureau of ^iromotion has taken a good deal of 

 time and effort and has been very effective. Mr. Swan told of specific 

 exhibits that have been worked out and the wide and important scope 

 of this work. He said that through this bureau the Forest Products 

 Laboratory at Madison, Wis., has assumed the responsibility of work- 

 ing out a series of standard strength tests so that definite data will 

 be available on hemlock. 



Other o.uestions of importance for consideration under the direc- 

 tion of the general department have been a survey of tie lands with 

 the idea of central treating plant to make possible greater utilization 

 of hemlock ties, and a study of the cut-over land question for grazing 

 purposes. Mr. Swan reviewe«l the great strides that have been made in 

 the general publicity work in all directions. 



In reviewing tlie situation Ml'. Swan said that the financial condi- 

 tion is excellent and the efforfs of the secretary's office well organized 

 and promising further advances; that conditions of the hemlock cam- 

 paign are encouraging, also the campaign for birch. He said that 

 the next meeting should be devoted to the sale? managers' committee 

 with a discussion of its efforts and recommendations; that a big stride 

 has been made in improvement of manufacture and grading, and 

 that more advance is to be anticipated; that the purpose of the asso- 

 ciation should be toward greater efficiency in merchandising, to be 

 backed up with constantly improving product. 



On motion it was resolved that the report of the secretary was 

 not only accepted, but approved with a deep sense of appreciation. 

 Edward Hines expressed himself frankly, saying that it was the be-^t 

 secretary's report he had ever had the pleasure of hearing. 



Exhibits of Finished Woods Appreciated by Architects 



President Goodman said that "birch" would be the general subject 

 for the morning's session. He called on D. E. Breinig, president and 

 general manager of the Bridgeport Wood Finishing Company, New 

 Milford, Conn. Mr. Breinig 's company has been instrumental in pre 



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