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<Jojjyri|,'lit, The Hardwood Company, 1918 



PublltheJ in ihe Interest of the American Hardwood Forests, the Products thereof, and Logging. Saw 



Mill and Woodworking Machinery, on the lOlh and 25lh of each Month, by 



THE HARDWOOD COMPANY 



Edgar H. Defcbaugh. President 

 Edwin W. Meeker. Managing Editor 

 Hu Maxwell, Technical Editor' 



Seventh Floor Ellsworth Building 



537 So. Dearborn Street, CHICAGO 



Telephones: Harrison 8086-8087-8088 



Vol. XLV CHICAGO, MAY 10, 1918 No. 2 



Review and Outlook 



General Market 



THE MAIN COA'CERX of the hardwood trade today seems quite 

 clearly directed towards steps to insure the manufacture of 

 sufficient lumber to meet present and future call and to keep sold 

 stocks moving out of mill yards which in many cases are crowded 

 with lumber already disposed of. High prices and good demand 

 avail nothing if the lumber cannot be manufactured and shipped. 



Bather encouraging word having a bearing on production comes 

 from the southern hardwood region, where mills have been ham- 

 pered and in many instances shut down because it was impossible 

 to get logs. In fact the southern trade had about resigned itself 

 to the probability of large losses in log dumps along main line roads, 

 as great delay in loading has given excellent opportunity for insects 

 and other destructive agencies to get to work. Unfortunate 

 losses if at all general would undoubtedly have added their mite to 

 the many other causes making for more expensive lumber. How- 

 ever, there now seems a likelihood that cars will be furnished in 

 sufficient numbers to obviate any large or general destruction of 

 logs in pile. Northern logs are of course not subject to the same 

 destructive influences, but here also is the dread of insufficient 

 supply due to insufficient labor and car space. 



At the mill labor gives the greatest cause for uneasiness, for it is 

 depreciating consistently both in quality and amount. An idea of 

 the difficulties encountered by the lumber manufacturer in endeavor- 

 ing to handle his labor question is seen in the statement of one large 

 Wisconsin operator that while seventy-five men comprise his full 

 woods crew at one camp the monthly pay roll of recent date showed 

 that almost four hundred had been employed in that period. In 

 fact there are hundreds of such instances which backed by specific 

 observation prove that labor shortage is possibly due more to 

 dearth of men who will work than to shortage of men who can 

 work. Some federal tax (of money, freedom or other of the privi- 

 leges of life) on laziness might have a notably beneficial result 

 if rigidly and nationally applied. 



In the meantime, though, production of lumber, as of many other 

 national necessities, is being interfered with and also made more 

 expensive. A survey of mill yards today would show a great deal 

 of lumber on sticks, but further analysis would prove that but a 

 small percentage of it is unsold. Still further efforts to provide for 

 their needs are shown by yards and factories as the colossal pro- 

 portions of war requirements are becoming more fully appreciated. 

 It is true that certain grades of inch stock appear draggy, but this 

 is more a comparative than an actual condition, as the bulk of all 

 hardwood lines are so extremely strong that any item not showing 



exceptional strength appears weaker than it actually is. It is use- 

 less to argue that claims of great strength for their product by 

 hardwood men is merely an effort to bull the market, for the old 

 combination of supply and demand still rules. It is a clear matter 

 of record that prices have advanced consistently in every direction 

 for months past and that they show no hesitancy in their upward 

 course. It is self-evident that this could not be so were the situation 

 not as represented. It is equally clear that the causes which have 

 brought about the already existing strength in hardwoods (war 

 needs, forced curtailment of output and sustained commercial 

 demand) will have an accelerated influence from month to month, 

 at least in the case of the first two causes. Not only is the govern- 

 ment just finding out what its needs will be and greatly adding 

 to them in many cases, but initial stages of war preparation have 

 been marked by many mistakes, causing incalculable waste, which, 

 deplorable as it may be, must be replaced. As to the other cause, 

 production shortage, this has resulted mainly from insufficient and 

 poor labor and it stands to reason that the difficulties this has 

 brought about so far must be multiplied in the future. Thus to one 

 who admits strength in present markets, and there are few who 

 do not, the future is certain. 



Uniform Hardwood Inspection Here 



WHILE THAT TITLE IS NOT LITERALLY TRUE the char- 

 acter of support, the unanimity of thought and the soundness 

 of principle behind the project described on pages 19, 20 and 21 

 virtually bring that long desired situation into being. Leaders in 

 the hardwood trade have labored towards this goal for years and 

 considering the obstacles that have been encountered in the long 

 struggle it is remarkable that they have not surrendered before 

 wliat has seemed an unconquerable obstacle blocking progress to- 

 wards a united industry. True, some have dropped out of the fight 

 but others have always been there to step into the breach. The 

 seemingly assured victory is a tribute to present leaders and to 

 the precedent set by those who have labored before them. It has 

 been assisted towards culmination by the war crisis and is the 

 finest thing that could happen to the hardwood trade both because 

 it will help them to support the present national issue as nothing 

 else could and because the trade will now be on a basis for future 

 development 100 per cent efficient. 



Hats off to the men responsible and to the strength of mind and 

 soundness of judgment which enabled them to forget traditional 

 differences and get together. Their efforts should be supported by 

 members of the hardwood trade to the last man. Have you sent 

 in the return blank with your endorsement? Do it! 



