HARDWOOD RECORD 



TUESDAY ATTEENOON SESSION 



On opening the afternoon session Secretary Pritehard read several 

 notices and was followed by Dwight L. Armstrong, cashier of the 

 Bank of Commerce & Trust Company of Memphis, who read a very 

 strong paper on the relation of banks to the federal reserve bank 

 law recently passed. This address will appear as a separate article 

 in next issue of Hardwood Recoud. The association adopted a vote 

 of thanks in appreciation of Mr. Armstrong's most able paper. 



J. W. McClure read a paper entitled "Co-operation iu Business," 

 in which he made his meaning clear by drawing a close distinction 

 between co-operation and competition. The two ideas are widely 

 apart now, though originally the words were closely associated in 

 meaning. Competitors push their own separate advantages, though 

 by so doing they may work to the disadvantage, even to the 

 ruin, of others who are engaged in' similar lines of business. 

 The ordinary meaning of competition is well understood. 



Cooperation is a newer term in the business world. Its basic idea 

 is that there is room for all, and that rivalry for trade can exist 

 without a desire to destroy the prosperity of all rivals. This is the 

 broad, modern doctrine of association for mutual benefit. There is 

 competition yet, but it is not the hostile, destructive kind that pulls 

 down rivals whenever possible in expectation of building on their 

 ruins. Quite different is the modern way. It is now thoroughly 

 understood that in union there is strength and that in hostile antago- 

 nism there is weakness and disaster. 



Few men try to stand alone in business at the present day. They 

 know they are in a losing game if they try to do so. Experience 

 has made clear the advantages of presenting a united front. Every 

 man should feel it a duty to give some of his time, energy and money 

 to help others, because by doing so he is strengthening his own posi- 

 tion in the business world. 



The results of association work, which means cooperative work, 

 are seen in many ways. Better conditions for employes are secured; 

 better output is shown In the results; wider and more steady markets 

 are developed. Practically all of these advantages would be negatived 

 by competition. 



What the red gum association has done is a case to the point. 

 Considering the length of time it has been in existence and the 

 conditions against which it has had to contend, the results accom- 

 plished have been remarkable. It has taken a wood of high intrinsic 

 value and usefulness, which on account of its cheapness and plentiful 

 supply was despised and misunderstood, and is putting it in its 

 proper place among conmiercial woods.^ It is demanding and get- 

 ting for gum wood among the highest and best class of users and 

 consumers the consideration to which it is entitled. From being 

 a by-word and a laughing stock among woods, it has come to be 

 looked upon as the most beautiful, as well as the most widely useful 

 of all the hardwoods. 



In doing this, not only are the gum manufacturers serving their 

 own interests, but they are benefiting the whole country. They are 

 adding to the forest resources of the South, and putting to use that 

 which was formerly of little value, thereby helping the cause of con- 

 fiervation. 



President Harrison then called upon S. B. Anderson for his opinion 

 of the Forest Products Exposition which Mr. Anderson had attended 

 at Chicago. He expressed himself as having been very deeply inter- 

 ested in the entire exhibit, stating that it gave incontrovertible proof 

 as to the superior beauty of wood as compared with substitutes. He 

 said there was always a crowd in attendance at the gum exhibit. 



Mr. Anderson said that one drawback in marketing gum doors and 

 trim is the use of the words ' ' sap gum. ' ' He recommended substitut- 

 ing for this the words ' ' uuseleeted gum. ' ' He maintained that the 

 trouble with the gum market is not a large supply, but a shortening of 

 demand, which he said will be devoleped but cannot be hurried. Mr. 

 Anderson put his suggestion as to the substitution of ' ' unselected 

 gum ' ' in place of ' ' sap gum ' ' in the form of a motion, but on the 

 suggestion of M. B. Cooper and others as to the impossibility of 

 making rules for anothei- organization, the motion was amended 



committee of three to report 



authorizing the president to ajiiii 

 as soon as possible on the question. 



Report of Gum Exhibit Committee 

 The report of Thomas W. Fry on the gum exhibit at the Forest 

 Products Exposition at Chicago was then read by F. R. Gadd, Mr. 

 Fry being chairman of the committee and Mr. Gadd one of the mem- 

 bers. Mr. Gadd preceded his report by a few remarks stating that 

 the exhibit occupied 595 square feet of space at each show. He 

 described the exhibit, stating that every stick of lumber used was 

 gum. Mr. Fry's report follows: 



Vour committeo bogs to report on Ihc suli.icit i)f the exhibit of gum or 

 t lie Korcst I'roUucts Kxpusitiou as follows : 



We were appointed a committee to solicit funds and make an exhibit 

 worthy of gum. This was of course a large order, and we have endeavored 

 to follow instructions, and feel that we can honestl.v say we have. 



The exhibit took shape as a one-room Colonial cottage. The Interior Is 

 built as a library, with paneled wainscot to the celling. On one side is a 

 handsome mantel with built-in bookcases at each side, on the other side 

 two windows with panels between. The entrance to this room is through a 

 well de.signed Colonial doorway. The photographs herewith shown will 

 possibly give you a better idea of what It is. than we can explain In words. 



It seemed to meet with favor; everyone who saw it remarked on its 

 richness. We did not attempt to build a room that could not be readily 

 duplicated, feeling that as we were attempting to show gum to the public 

 m general, we should show something that was easily obtainable. We 

 could, of course, have produced something much richer perhaps, in the way 

 of ligured wood, which would have caused people to exclaim at its beauty, 

 but who perhaps would not have been so well pleased had they afterward 

 specified a room expecting to duplicate the one at the exposition, and then 

 when they received it, found something entirely different. 



We depended rather on the Hnish and design of the room for the effect, 

 realizing perhaps more clearly than some, that design and color are really 

 by far the most important points. 



The room was Unished in a light brown, shellaced and waxed, a very inex- 

 pensive Hnish, and one that does not easily show finger prints, and one that 

 if marred can be readily touched up without expense, which cannot be said 

 about a varnish finish. 



The reason for running the panels to the ceiling was three-fold. First — 

 Because it makes a better looking room. Second — Because it is cheaper for 

 the house owner to maintain as it does not have to be redecorated. Third — 

 And mainly, because it greatly increases the amount of lumber used. 



The attendance at the exposition was rather small and disappointing 

 during the first three days, but after that was quite satisfactory. A large 

 proportion of the architects, draftsmen and builders of Chicago and the 

 surrounding country attended, and we hope will specify gum in an increas- 

 ing number of homes hereafter. One contractor told us he had specified 

 twenty-four apartments, twelve of five rooms, and twelve of four rooms, 

 as a result of his trip ; and we feel sure we have secured the specification of 

 gum in the new»hotel to be built at Pasadena. Cal. 



An interesting phase of the exposition was the developing of the fact 

 that the lumbermen themselves needed. educating as to the possibilities of 

 their own wood, quite as much as did the general public. 



We also wish to report to the association that in the matter of funds, we 

 are short. We have collected !f2.ii5i). We have at present wiiting spent 

 .$;i.!)!)!).MO, this including the amount set aside to take down and ship back 

 to St. Louis the exhibit, where it will be put in storage to await the dispo- 

 sition which may be decided upon by the association. 



Your committee wishes to add that the reason we are short is that the 

 money came in slowly, the time went by quickly, and we either had to 

 build and endeavor to raise the money later, or let this great opportunity 

 for showing gum go by the board. 



We took the former course and the deficit stands now charged against 

 the chairman. We feel satisfied, gentlemen, that if you will talk with some 

 of the men who have been to the exposition, you will feel that we followed 

 the only logical course ; that the exhibit is worth while, that it will help 

 us in the fight of wood vs. substitutes, that they who have not subscribed, 

 should do so now and help defray the expense. 



The meeting then adjourned until Wednesday. 



WEDNESDAY MORNING SESSION 



Beginning the Wednesilay morning session. President Harrison 

 uamed the following committee to consider the advisability of chang- 

 ing the name "sap gum" to "unselected gum," which committee 

 was instructed to report to the board: W. C. Bonner, F. D. Beals 

 and M. B. Cooper. 



Report of Technical Research Committee 



Then followed the report of R. M. Carrier, chairman of the tech- 

 nical research committee, which together with the discussion attendant, 

 really was the main feature of the meeting. It brought out some 

 mighty valuable suggestions, the conclusion being summarized as 

 follows : 



