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Hardwood Record — Veneer & Panel Section 



June 25. 191 



war? We are better equipped for producing, transporting and 

 financing such business than ever before, but in the face of keen 

 competition after the war will that enable us to hold what we 

 have obtained? 



After the war it seems inevitable that there will be at least 

 a temporary depression, but if we wish to make it severe, the 

 surest way is for leaders of industry and finance to talk depression 

 and urge curtailment. Conversely if assurances of unexampled 

 prosperity are given, an era of expansion may ensue with pos- 

 sibly more disastrous results. A safe and sane middle course is 

 desirable. 



LABOR PROBLEM 



"The Labor Problem" was the subject of an interest- 

 ing talk by H. E. Miles of Washington, D. C, chairman 

 section on industrial training for the war emergency, of 

 the Council of National Defense. The speaker touched 

 upon the great cost of hiring men who do not stay on the 

 job. He cited the case of one large firm which had em- 

 ployed 15,000 men since January 1, and has only been 

 able to increase its force by 4,500. He said that a new 

 obligation rests upon the employers of America, as they 

 must now and henceforth make the mechanics who will 

 turn out the products of the country, and suggested hav- 

 ing a department set aside for training and developing 

 new workers. More skilled mechanics are needed now 

 than are available. 



The report of the war service committee was submitted 

 by Chairman B. W- Lord, of Chicago, who said: 



The war service committee appointed at the last meeting went 

 into the work very seriously and carefully. Mr. Gorham and my. 

 self went to Washington at the request of the signal corps and 

 gave them some information in regard to plywood, the available 

 supply of the veneer plants, logs, etc., and all that data is com- 

 piled. Shortly after the committee was organized it seemed that 

 all the mills were flooded with orders for plywood for export. A 

 great many of the orders were duplicated, and the committee did 

 a great deal of work in having that stopped by having all the 

 orders approved before being placed. 



In regard to the available supply of logs, the committee got the 

 necessary data, and put the different airplane manufacturers in 

 touch with the plywood manufacturers and others, where they 

 could secure their material. The problem first was to secure a 

 waterproof glue. 



It seems now without question that the usefulness of that com- 

 mittee is over; the committee therefore wishes to resign and the 

 members recommend that it be dissolved. That committee has 

 had quite a little of your money, there being about 90 mills sup- 

 porting it, eight of which have resigned. In rough figures the 

 committee has received something like $6,000 to carry on its 

 work. We sent Mr. Webster to Washington to keep in touch 

 with the different departments. The committee has something 

 like $1,700 in the bank, as well as some office supplies, furni- 

 ture, etc. The committee recommends that this money be do- 

 nated to the Red Cross from the veneer and panel industry. 



The committee suggests that the information in the office as 

 regards the equipment of the mills, etc., be sent to Secretary 

 Young, and that the data be opened to the Signal Corps, or any 

 government department who wishes it, or any members of the 



There is no one on the committee to my knowledge who has 

 taken advantage of his position. Every time I asked for a meet- 

 ing the men came at their own expense, and they have given their 

 time ungrudgingly to the work. I think from the situation as out- 

 lined by Messrs. Burrage and Clark in Washington they can 



iible to have 



handle the matter better than we can. It is 

 men representing the business who are not practical or exper- 

 ienced men, therefore this committee was appointed six months 

 ago to gather certain data for the government. AH our records 

 and correspondence are open to any one who has supported the 

 committee in any way, to look into carefully. The spirit of the 

 committee has been to do anything the members could towards 

 the winning of the war. 



We all have to consider that we are laboring under greater 

 difficulties than ever before. Labor, transportation, changing of 

 men, and the breaking in of new men; all these matters have to 

 be studied carefully. When we speed up we are apt not to make 

 as good stock as in normal times. It means closer application in 

 our business to produce the desired results. 



Mr. Home moved that the resignation of the war ser- 

 vice committee be accepted, with due appreciation for 

 what it has done, and that the funds left over be divided 

 equally between the Red Cross and the Y. M. C. A. 



The motion was seconded and carried unanimously, 

 after which the convention adjourned. 



Douglas Fir Rotary Veneer 



Eight years ago the total production of Douglas fir veneer little 

 exceeded one million feet log measure a year. Complete statistics 

 of veneer production have not been published since 1909, but it 

 is a matter of common knowledge that the output of Douglas fir 

 has greatly increased since then. The rotary stock is all figured, 

 due to cutting across the rings of growth in a slanting direction. 

 The rings contain strong contrast between the springwood and 

 summer wood and these give the figure. The patterns don't vary 

 much, and some regard the figure as monotonous by continually 

 repeating the same things; but the door manufacturers and the 

 makers of interior finish have found the figures popular with the 

 buyers of these articles. There is no great variety in color. In 

 tones, all Douglas fir panels bear a strong family resemblance. 

 They do not have much individuality when one is compared with 

 another, but when panels of this wood are compared with those 

 of other woods there is little probability of being mistaken as to 

 which is which. The eastern wood which most nearly resembles 

 Douglas fir in rotary veneer is longleaf pine; but even there the 

 differences are considerable. 



Just what place Douglas fir is destined to fill in the veneer 

 industry of the future will depend upon the favor which the wood 

 will meet from the buying public. This is the most abundant wood 

 in the United States or in the world. The combined volume of all 

 the hardwoods of the whole country does not equal in quantity the 

 single species of Douglas fir. It covers a million square miles of 

 territory, and it is not difficult to foresee vast opportunities for 

 it in the veneer industry. It matters little what the demand may 

 be, there will be enough Douglas fir to meet it. The stock is used 

 in ways other than as panel material. It goes into boxes, baskets, 

 crates, and wherever there is demand for cheap, substantial veneer. 

 Except as core stock or in other hidden parts, it is not apparent 

 that it is much used in the furniture industry. 



Purchases Large Walnut Tree 



What is considered one of the finest walnut trees in the state of 

 Indiana, and probably the largest, has just been purchased by the 

 W. T. Thompson Veneer Company of Edinburgh. Ind. The tree 



located on the College campus at Ci 

 any paid $650 for it where it stands. 



W. T. Thompson, president of the c< 

 , says that the body will be cut into airf 

 ito veneers for high-class piano trade. 



fordsville, and tht 



y, in writing about 

 itock and the stump 



