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National Lumber JManufacturers JMeet 



The sixteciitli annual meeting of the National Lumber Manu- 

 facturers' Association convened for a throeilay session on May 

 20 at tlie Congress hotel, Chicago. Acting President R. B. Good- 

 man was in the chair, while the president, R. H. Downman, was 

 present as a spectator, and occasionally took an active part in the 

 proceedings. Assistant Secretary John Lind was in charge of the 

 records. The attendance was largo and the interest was earnest 

 and sustained. 



It was apparent from the first that the lumbermen had como 

 together for business purposes and not with the idea of sociability 

 and a good time. The program was an outline for constructive 

 work, and the various speakers held closely to that view. Refer- 

 ence to the war were numerous, but the war was not a prominent 

 topic of discussion during the carrying out of the program. Present 

 conditions were recognized at their full value and meaning, and it 

 was strongly insisted upon that employers ought to stand as solidly 

 together as do the employes; at least to the extent that business 

 men should take it upon themselves to become acquainted with 



a more active part in business than over before, and the interest 

 which it takes is more friendly and with a better understanding. 



Trade Extension 



The program set apart two hours for considering trade exten- 

 sion matters, and J. W. Blodgett of Grand Rapids, Mich., was called 

 to the chair to preside over the session. A number of speakers 

 presented different features of the work which the National asso- 

 ciation has been carrying on. 



Building and loan association work was discussed by K. V. Hay- 

 maker of Detroit, Mich. He has traveled 15,000 miles while work- 

 ing for the association and has addressed meetings in all parts of 

 the country to rouse interest in building and loan work. The more 

 of such associations there are, and the more active and efficient 

 they are, the greater will the demand for lumber be, and the better 

 able will the public be to buy lumber. 



J. R. Moorchead of Kansas City, secretary of the Southwestern 

 Lumbormpu's Association, read a paper which entered particu'larly 



their representatives in legislative bodies in order that business 

 needs may be properly represented. That will be the new order 

 of politics which will supplant the old spoils system. 



The first session was opened with music by the band from the 

 Great Lakes Naval Station, which was working in the interest of 

 the Red Cross; and the music was followed by a brief address in 

 behalf of Red Cross work, by John A. Bruce, who pointed to the 

 fact that 100,000 lumbermen are in the army and navy in various 

 capacities, and he asked support of lumbermen who are staying at 

 home. B3' a rising vote the meeting pledged support, but no par- 

 ticular sum was promised. 



Flour Barred from Tables 



The meeting passed by a unanimous vote a resolution, or rather 

 a promise, that wheat flour would find no place on lumbermen's 

 tables during the continuance of the war. That action w^as taken 

 in response to an address by Ralph H. Burnsides of Raymond, Wash. 



At the conclusion of the vote by w'hich wheat flour was put 

 away, a call from those present for a word from B. H. Downman, 

 was responded to by Mr. Downman, who insisted that ho was there 

 in the capacity of spectator onlj', but he spoke briefly on the great 

 need for better co-operation in order to meet the needs of the hour 

 and the changing conditions of buaness. The government is taking 



into the work being done in his region in organizing building and 

 loan societies. He advocated the policy of sending a man to each 

 state to push the work of organizing such associations. 



A paper on retail work was read by H. B. Isherwood, who ex- 

 plained how the work in the retail field of the National association 

 has been carried on. 



The methods used in developing the uses of lumber were explained 

 in an address by C. E. Paul, a construction engineer in the employ 

 of the association. He has divided the work in three parts, first, 

 information concerning the uses of wood; personal contact w-ith 

 those who use this material; and co-operation with societies. A 

 large number of pamphlets and circulars has been published, each 

 covering some field of wood utilization. 



Certain scientific matters that influence the uses of wood were the 

 subject of an address by Hermann von Schrenk, consulting engineer, 

 who has done much work for the association, one of his particular 

 lines having to do with rendering wood proof against fire. He had 

 an interesting and instructive exhibit in the meeting rooms of 

 the association. Committee on Resolutions 



Early in the first day's session the chair appointed a committee 

 to draft resolutions, the members of which follow: 



J. II. Kirby, Southern Pine Association, chairman. 



