HAMILTON LOVE, NASHVILLE, TENN,, 

 DIRECTOR 



CHAS. B. DUDLEY. MEMPHIS, TENN., 

 DIRECTOR 



OLIVER O. AGLER, CHICAGO, ILL., 

 DIRECTOR 



by the following statement from a member of a leading western law firm : 

 "bur firm formerly enjoyed very liberal patronage from a number of 

 hardwood lumber companies and conducted so much litigation in that 

 line that we acquired an intimate knowledge of hardwood terms and 

 methods. Noting a decided reduction in the business received from 

 these clients, we decided to investigate and ascertain if possible what 

 the criticism was of the attorneys in our offices to whom the lumber 

 litigation had been entrusted. We accordingly addressed letters to the 

 list of lumber clients urging a frank response and were Informed by 

 several that the services of an organization known as the National 

 Hardwood Lumber Association rendered it no longer necessary to resort 

 to litigation in case of dispute." 



The figures in detail of the inspection department for the year ending 

 May 1, 1912, showing the quantity inspected in each market, with the 

 amount earned and exact expense of maintenance, follow : 



Market. Ft. Inspected. 



Chicago, 111 12.09.'!,420 



St. Louis, Mo !),229,(!.3."> 



BulTalo, N. Y 7,!">41.:iN7 



Memphis, Tenn .'1,120.07(1 



rhlladelphia. Pa 4.81.-.. -JOii 



Cincinnati. Ohio 4.22.S.247 



Detroit. Mich 4.202.ol'ii 



Louisville, Ky .■l,!P.s.",,447 



Bo.ston, Mass 4.1li7.'.iiU 



New York Citv. N. Y .I.SiiS.tn 1 



New Orleans, La .'i. 175, 810 



Minneapolis. Minn .S,001,02r. 



Baltimore. Md 2.!10ri.:t."iC, 



Alexandria. La 2.n.S(;.7<10 



Arkansas and North Carolina ] ,S3B,,'!().S 



Pittsburgh. Pa 1,722.040 



Bristol. Tenn. (6 months) l.ieO.OOS 



Xasbville. Tenn. (6 months) 96S,.'ifil 



Chattanooga. Tenn, (6 months) .... 860,.'1.S7 



.Toppa and Cairo, 111 923,320 



Norfolk, Va 01,481 



Grand Rapids, Mich, (fee) 3,987,608 



Michigan & Wisconsin Mills (fee) , . . 4."), 785,0.^4 

 Southern Mills (feel 1.851,883 



As above indicated, the work of the salaried inspectors in the employ 

 of the association shows a total of 77,909,490 feet, which is a gain of 

 9,342,528 feet over last year. Unfavorable weather conditions during 

 the pa.?t six months have hindered the inspection department and reduced 

 the totals by a considerable amount. 



Much of the membership gain of the past year has been due io tin* 

 systematic and earnest work of Assistant Secretary II. ,T. Fuller, who 

 Is also in charge of the department of inlerchange of reports. This 

 department has listed and reported on about one thousand names during 

 the year and has secured many valuable reports on the arbitrary and 

 professional "kicker for revenue" that have been highly commond(»d by 

 the members interested. Y'our earnest co-operation in the building up 

 of this department, which was only established in .January, 1911. and 

 has already accomplished much good, is earnestly urged. The numerical 

 strength of this association, coupled with the fact that the membership 

 is so widely distributed, over thirty-four states, renders results possible, 

 of a tangible and valuable nature, which should prove of great value 

 and interest to this membership. It has l>een suggested that we add 

 to the present plan which is confined to an interchange of ledger 

 experience, the feature of securing signed financial statements from 

 consumers of hardwood. This could probably be accomplished with small 

 additional expense, and the reputation and prestige of this association 

 among buyers of hardwood lumber in every part of the country should 

 enable us to secure thorough results in such an undertaking. 



The finances of the association during the past year have been in 

 sound condition and sufficient funds have at all times been in the hands 



of the secretary-treasurer to meet all obligations against the association 

 as they have matured. While there has always been enough money, 

 Ihere has never been an extravagant surplus, a condition due, perhaps, 

 more to the wisdom of this membership in wMsely and accurately gauging 

 the income to the necessities than to any financial genius on the part 

 of the secretary-treasurer in administering the financial affairs of the 

 association. The following is a detailed statement of receipts and dis- 

 bursements, the correctness of which is certified to in the attached report 

 of Marwiek, Mitchell, Peat & Co., public accountants and auditors : 



Balance reported at Memphis convention. May 11, 1911 



KECKIFTS 



From membership dues $29,285 



From Inspection fees 53,476.67 



From inspection rules 400.74 



From miscellaneous 291.50 



DISBUI1.SEMENTS 



Salaries and expenses (secretary-treasurer, assistant 

 secretary, chief inspector, inspectors and office 



force) ,$70,685.11 



Convention. Executive Committee and standing com- 

 mittee's expense 1.095.23 



Printing and postage 4.746.51 



General office expenses, telephone, light, telegraph, 



supplies, etc 2,585.98 



Ue-inspection settlements 1,167.37 



Rent 2,872 



Refunds 29.33 



Office furniture 236.30 



$1,602.1G 



83,453.91 

 $85,056.07 



83,417.83 



Leaving a balance on deposit at the Fort Dearborn 



National Bank. Chicago, 111., .Tune 1. 1912, of...$ 638.24 

 .\nd in Hibernian Bank 1,000.00 



Total cash in General Fund $ 1,638.24 



In addition the books show outstanding accounts for inspection fee* 

 earned $5,825.52, and tor membership dues $6,155.00. a total of $11,- 

 !)80,52, bringing total resources in cash and good outstanding accoimts 

 to $13,018.76. 



c.^sii riKrnsiT fund 

 Balance on hand reported at Memphis convention. Mav 11. 1911 . .$725.00 

 lii'ieipls 25.00 



Refunds 



$7.50.00 

 . lOO.OO 



Balance .Tune 1, 1912 $650.00 



Another evidence of the progress made by this association during the 

 past year is afforded by the substantial increase in the membership 

 list. Owing to the unfavorable commercial conditions which have ex- 

 isted for several years past, the time has not been altogether favorable 

 for the extension of the membership in any trade organization. Indeed, 

 in some instances it has been an exceedingly difficult undertaking to hold 

 the ground already gained. It is therefore a source for much gratifica- 

 tion that this association has not only held its own. but that, even in the 

 face of most unfavorable conditions, its growth in members has steadily 

 increased. Since the meeting held in Memphis, May 11 and 12, 1911, 184 

 new applications for membership have been received, of which twelve- 

 were rejected, either on account of being ineligible or undesirable. 

 Failures and withdrawals from business 86, and 21 members have beei* 

 dropped for being delinquent in the payment of dues, while 8 have 

 resigned. The total number of new members admitted during the fiscal 

 year closing with this convention is 172, which brings the total mem- 

 bership to 800, being a net gain for the year of 57 members. 



No other lumber association has reported such an actual gain in mem- 

 bership, and It is therefore reasonable to assume that the popularity 

 of the work being accomplished by this organization Is of such a 



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