A. DIGGINS, CADILLAC. MICH., 

 PRESIDENT 



RETIRING FRANK F. FISH. CHICAGO. 



TREASURER. 



SECRETARY- 



S. rNDERIIILL, PHILAIiEI.I'IIIA. PA., 

 DIRECTOR 



city, dui'inj List September, in an effort to agree with them on a single 

 set of grading rules which should be adopted as the standard for both 

 associations. 



The meeting was most harmonious and resulted in an amicable arrange- 

 ment on all details connected with the proposed agreement. A joint meet- 

 ing of the inspection rules committee of each association was called to 

 meet at Louisville in October, at which time It was confidently expected 

 that all differences would be reconciled. Those present were so confi- 

 dent of success that the executive committees were instructed to be 

 present also, to ratify the compact at once, and call special sessions of 

 the associations at interest for the purpose of permanent and otBcial 

 ratification. 



It is with extreme regret that I am obliged to report that in spite of 

 the fact that members of both associations worlted earnestly and honestly 

 to agree, we did not succeed. It developed that the members of the 

 Manufacturers' Association stood unyieldingly for inspection from the 

 best face on all grades, while the representatives of our association did 

 not feel justified in approving and agreeing upon a proposition which 

 involved so radical a change. 



We adjourned without any acrimonious debate and I am confident that 

 there was real regret over our failure to agree vipon the part of the 

 representatives of each association. 



This was a hopeful circumstance, and my belief that an agree- 

 ment would ultimately be readied has since been strengthened by a 

 statement made liefore the National Wholesale Lumber Dealers' Asso- 

 ciation convention at Louisville, by the president of the Hardwood 

 JIanufacturers' Association. I will quote literally from the speech 

 which I listened to with pleasure : 



There appears to be an impression that we grade lumber from the 

 best side of the board and the best side onlv. There is absolutely nothing 

 in our rules that would possibly admit of any such interpretation. 



It would seem from this official utterance that they have receded 

 somewhat from the position assumed by them at the time of our 

 conference. 



We have an oSacial stenograpliic report of the two meetings I have 

 described so that my statements may be corroborated if necessary. 



I do not feel that I should make any recommendations for the future 

 conduct of this association, as my successor will be at least as capable 

 of doing so as I am. and should be allowed to outline his own policy. 

 I ask for his administration the same loyal support that you have given 

 me. He can not a.*k tor more and should not receive any less. 



I want you to know that I deeply appreciate your efforts to assist 

 me during my administration, and how helpful your support has been. 

 There have been times when I could feel that my position on certain 

 matters has not met with your entire approval and yet you have been 

 so kind and considerate that no word of criticism, which was not war- 

 ranted, has ever reached me. 



I wish to thank the trade press also for its uniformly fair treat- 

 ment of the National Hardwood Lumber Association and its retiring 

 president. 



Report of Secretary-Treasurer 



The report of Secretary-Treasurer Frank F. Fish was then called 



for and read as follovps: 



In preparing the following report of the affairs of the association 

 for the consideration of the membership assembled at this, the fifteenth 

 annual meeting of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, I have 

 found it difficult to refrain from enthusiastic praise of the past accom- 

 plishments of this organization .and of those who by steadfast faith 

 :.nd untiring efforts laid the foundation upon which rests the present 



superstructure of the most persevering, the most consistent and the most 

 successful trades organization in the entire country — an organization the 

 cornerstone of which has ever been the promotion of the welfare and 

 the protection of the interests of the hardwood trade, and the key- 

 stone of its arch the establishment, maintenance and application of a 

 uniform system for the inspection and measurement of the commodity 

 in which the members traffic. 



The association as a whole has never lost sight of these twin goals 

 and its progress toward their ultimate and absolute attainment, has 

 never faltered or been diverted by flattery or cajolery, of those who from 

 selfish desire may have sought to lead it into the quagmires of folly and 

 the quicksands of treachery. It has always kept to the solid ground of 

 common sense and has never betrayed a trust bestowed by a member or 

 by any others with whom its activities have brought it in contact. 

 As a result of this persistent and consistent attitude, the hardwood 

 trade, as a whole, universally recognizes the pre-eminent position occu- 

 pied by the National Hardwood Lumber Association : and the undivided 

 units of that trade, whether connected with the manufacturing branch 

 or the wholesale branch, are under conviction that the actual benefits to 

 be derived from a close connection with the association are no longer 

 of a doubtful nature, hut that these benefits are being demonstrated 

 daily in every market where hardwood lumber is bought or sold. 



While there is much occasion for pride on the part of this member- 

 ship over this condition in the affairs of this association, it is wi-il 

 not to forget the axiom that rank imposes obligation, and that, there- 

 fore, on account of the enviable position which the National Hardwood 

 Lumber Association occupies today, a greater necessit.v than ever 

 before exists that it continue to make good. That it has done so in 

 all of its activities during the past year is amply evidenced by the 

 records of the secretary's office. The figures which appear below in 

 this report will show that the inspection department has officially 

 inspected a larger amount of lumber during the past twelve months 

 than in any similar period in the history of the association. While 

 this extension of the work of the inspection department can not fail to 

 be gratifying to the membership, in the increase of efficiency in that 

 department rests the source for the greatest amount of satisfaction, as 

 the manner in which the work of inspection is performed is of far 

 greater moment than is the volume of work accomplished. 



This Increase in efliciency of the inspection department is indicated 

 by the fact that though the amount of lumber inspected has been sub- 

 stantially greater than in any former year, the complaints and claims 

 arising from a lack of uniformity in the application of the rules in 

 widely diverse and separated markets, have been markedly less than in 

 any other year since the existing system of salaried inspectors has been 

 adopted. 



This satisfactory condition is due in large measure to the energy 

 displayed by Chief Inspector Hoover, in lining up the numerous and 

 scattered force of inspectors in the employ of the association, to the 

 end that uniformity in the application of the rules of this Association 

 be firmly established without regard to the locality in which the work 

 of inspection is performed. 



With the effort that is being made to maintain a thoroughly com- 

 petent corps of inspectors in all of the producing, distributing and con- 

 suming hardwood markets, there is no occasion for wonder that the 

 popularity of the inspection department should steadily increase. 



To the operation of the forces thus set in motion is due, in a large 

 measure, the absence of disputes between buyers and sellers of lumber 

 which in the past were prominent and disturbing factors in the hard- 

 wood trade. This improvement in conditions is graphically evidenced 



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