34 



Hardwood Record — Veneer & Panel Section 



May 25, 1918 



WISCONSIN VENEEER CO. 



MANUFACTURERS 



RHINELANDER, WIS. 



^^ 



we nave 



panels of pioneer days to the thinner plyvv'ood 

 it today. 



Though we feel that we have already learned quite a 

 lot about drying and redrying, this work will undoubt- 

 edly be carried to a higher degree of perfection and 

 since most of the final satisfaction with veneer work, and 

 its freedom from defects developing in the face, depends 

 upon proper seasoning, it is easy to understand the bene- 

 fits which will result here. 



Glue work is showing progress too. This progress 

 will perhaps include two lines; the development of new 

 glue substances and a better understanding and more 

 positive knowledge of how to obtain the best results in 

 using glue. Some idea of the convincing influence here 

 can be had from a statement made by an experienced 

 glue man called into inspection service who said that 

 heretofore he had always had doubts about waterproof 

 glue. Now, he says, he is convinced that there is such 

 an animal. 



We will not only make development in waterproofing 

 glue substances, but we cannot avoid progress in treating 

 or finishing the woodwork itself to insure protection 

 against changes in moisture and temperature. Indeed, 

 the indications are we are learning to both waterproof 

 and fireproof at a rapid rate, and this will help. 



It is impossible to predict the full breadth or extent 

 of the possible influence of aircraft work on the veneer 

 and panel industry as a whole. It is evident already that 

 it will lead to the development of much more positive 



knowledge and more exact practices and enlightenment 

 and improvement generally. Not all of the new ideas 

 developed will be of material value in the main lines of 

 veneer and panel work, but none of them will do harm, 

 and many of them will be of decided help. 



Finally it may be said that the man who does not 

 hook up to and become interested in airplane work and 

 its influence on the veneer trade is likely to miss some 

 good progressive ideas that may be worth something to 

 his business in the future. 



The Veneer Situation in England 



The veneer business in America is indirectly affected by the 

 situation in England because of the export trade which we carry 

 on or should carry on across the sea. For that reason the fol- 

 lowing resume of the veneer or plywood situation in England 

 will be of interest to the trade in this country. The quotation is 

 from the London Timber News of April 27: 



The market for this wood continues fairly good, although there 

 is now not very much in the market. Trade is practically con- 

 fined to government orders, and for this kind of work only the 

 better qualities are in request. It is quite possible that as time 

 goes on there will spring up an even stronger demand for ply- 

 wood, owing to the condition now ruling in Russia and Finland. 



The position as regards these two countries is most difficult 

 to define at the present moment. The manufacture over there 

 of plywood will certainly be of a most restrictive character for 

 some time to come. Many of the mills have already stopped 

 working, and others are apparently on the point of giving up the 

 business owing to the disturbed state of the labor market. Prices 

 may take another upward turn in the future for this and other 

 reasons, such as the greatly increased charges for forwarding 

 goods overland. 



There appears to be no end to the demand of forwarding 

 agents. All these changes have, of course, to be tacked on to the 

 cost of the wood. They are beginning now to represent a very 

 considerable percentage of the cost. The question now arises as 

 to what is going to be done in the way of plywood during the 

 summer and autumn. A certain quantity of the wood may be 

 already manufactured, though, as to the quantity that will actu- 

 ally be available for shipment this season from Russia and Fin- 

 land, it is impossible to say yet awhile, as so much depends upon 

 the facilities given for forwarding the goods. 



Merchants on this side are continually making inquiries for 

 fresh stock, but it seems extremely doubtful if the government 

 will allow much more plywood to come into the market. Exten- 

 sive purchases are being made in America, and coupled with 

 what IS being turned out in England, they may think they will 

 have sufficient, though that is extremely doubtful after taking 

 into consideration what Russia and F^inland have produced 

 hitherto. 



Will Boy Scouts Boost Walnut Values? 



The proclamation of President Wilson calling on Boy Scouts 

 to leport and tabulate stands of black walnut and endeavor to 

 ascertain possible selling prices seems an excellent way of get- 

 ting in touch with prospective supplies. But, on the other hand, 

 it rather promises to have an unfavorable effect upon prices de- 

 manded. Generally speaking, holders of walnut stumpage are 

 fairly conversant with log values and in talking with professional 

 log buyers regarding prospective sale of their holdings, can read- 

 ily come to an agreeable basis of price understanding. 



On the other hand, a national effort to approach these hold- 

 ers through inexperienced Boy Scouts will undoubtedly in many 

 cases lead to rather excessive quotations. Of course, the walnut 

 people do not have to buy at exorbitant figures, but nevertheless 

 the price set by the man who quotes high figures because he 

 knows the Boy Scout is inexperienced rather establishes his figure 

 against which the walnut man must play before purchasing, with 

 the probability that he must pay a higher price than would have 

 been agreed upon had he purchased direct through his own log 

 buyer. 



The result would quite probably be still further increased by 

 the already exorbitant cost of walnut logs with further additions 

 to the cost of the product of the logs as a logical sequence. 



