HARD WO O D RECORD 



23 



lumber and by-products, thus decreasing the amount of timber to be 

 cut and the total cost of raw material; and his cut-over lands are 

 replanted to replenish the stock. 



There is no use in contending that the time is ripe in this country 

 for the application of any such intensive methods in the lumber 

 business. However, on the other hand, a great many lumber manu- 

 facturers here are hiding behind the plea that lumber isn't worth 

 enough to warrant even moderately close utilization, and are losing 

 in waste a great many dollars that ought to go in as profit. The 

 correctness of this is shown in the successful operation, in a number 

 «f instances, of plants looking to the manufacture of by-products 

 from the sawmill operations. The increasing interest in which this 

 subject is being discussed at various lumber association meetings 

 would indicate that it is at last commanding the serious attention of 

 the lumber trade. 



l: is a significant fact that what little utilization of by-products 

 and application of modern forestry exists in this country, is in con- 

 nection with large establishments where a small return is satisfactory 

 from an industry whose absence would means an actual loss. Ac- 

 tivity in this direction has been confined principally to northern states. 



With allowances for present conditions, it behooves the American 

 sawmill man not to live too contentedly in the present, for the very 

 conditions that make possible the advanced state of utilization in 

 Germany, are slowly but surely coming here. He should embrace 

 every opportunity to prepare himself. The proverbial American in- 

 genuity and resourcefulness will undoubtedly be capable of meeting 

 the changing conditions as they advance, only they should be met at 

 least half way. 



Wooden Packages Required 



American exporters of various commodities have always been no- 

 toriously lax in the character of the packages in which they ship their 

 products. With the introduction of the fiber package, a great many 

 exporters eagerly seized this opportunity of lowering the cost of 

 containers and cutting off an item of weight at the same time. That 

 this policy is reacting to their detriment is evidenced by a report 

 from a consular officer in Martinique, in the French West Indies, who 

 states that the manufacturers and exporters of cereals and other 

 food stuffs intended for tropical countries should change the materials 

 of the containers in which such goods are packed if they desire to 

 hold their trade in that territory. Fiber containers have been found 

 to be entirely inadequate to meet the severe conditions to which they 

 are subjected in the humid countries of the tropics. The multitude 

 of insects in that region soon find access to such containers as fiber 

 packages, and render the contents absolutely worthless. 



Merchants in the tropical countries in a great many cases have 

 given up carrying certain lines of American products because they 

 were unable to keep them in fit condition when packed in fiber con- 

 tainers. 



The consular report referred to is certainly a strike in the interests 

 of the wooden box manufacturers, but the subject is so obviously one 

 which is of vital importance to the exporters of the commodities in 

 question that they should be able to see beyond the slight additional 

 expense involved. The advantage gained through such conditions 

 should be pushed to the utmost by the advocates of the wooden box. 



Regarding the Veneer Business 



It is becoming more and more evident to close observers connected 

 with the manufacture of veneers and panels that rapidly changing 

 <>onditions governing that industry demand a complete revolution in 

 methods. One of the most serious questions which veneer manufac- 

 turers must face, and one which occupies considerable attention at 

 all veneer meetings, is that of log supply. An article in this issue of 

 Hakdwood Eecord on the intelligent buying of veneer logs, gives an 

 accurate summary of some of the ridiculous transactions which the 

 veneer manufacturer is forced to compete. 



It is an evident fact that there is absolutely no chance for either 

 the veneer or the lumber manufacturer to cut down the cost of produc- 

 tion by reducing the cost of supplies or labor. Accepting this as a 

 fact, there seems but one outlet, namely, increasing efficiency ip 



operation and sales, and a closer organization whereby the purchasers 

 of logs on the open market will be enabled to get their product at 

 more nearly a reasonable price. 



The question of efficiency is occupying the close attention of manu- 

 facturers in every line, but it is only within the last few years that it 

 )ias received any serious attention, as a general thing, on the part of 

 manufacturers of forest products. The opportunities for cutting 

 down expenses by more comprehensive organizations, insuring uni- 

 form methods by closer watching of waste, and by more intelligent 

 marketing of products is unlimited. It is gratifying to note the senti- 

 ment in this direction, which is becoming more evident at every 

 gathering of manufacturers of veneers, panels and hardwood lumber. 



The Legality of Printed Conditions 



The question of the binding power of printed conditions on letter- 

 lieads, unless appearing between the salutation and the conclusion 

 of the letter, has been the subject of dispute for a long time. There 

 seems to be no specific ruling in this direction to conclusively settle 

 this point. The concensus of opinion, however, among both legal and 

 business men would indicate that, in order to make the terms of sale 

 binding upon the purchaser, such conditions must be printed some- 

 where between the salutation and the conclusion of the letter. 



With a view of getting a comprehensive expression of opinion re- 

 garding this question. Secretary Doster of the Hardwood Manufac- 

 turers ' Association of the United States, has conducted from his 

 Cincinnati offices, by means of letter, a canvass among the members 

 of the association. The invariable reply was that terms of sale were 

 not considered of any moment unless actually printed within the 

 body of the letter. Numerous schemes for incorporating the condi- 

 tions in this manner were suggested, some concerns having the con- 

 ditions so printed as to form the first sentence of the letter, and it is 

 the usual custom to have the type of printing conform as much as 

 possible to that used in a typewriter. 



The question seemed to be not whether this should be con- 

 sidered part of a contract if not appearing in the body of the letter, 

 but rather whether a just claim can be made that the purchaser 

 could not without effort see the printed conditions at the head of 

 the letter. 



A recent court decision in Missouri upholds a buyer in a suit to 

 recover damage for breach of contract based on misinterpretation 

 of terms of sale. The seller 's terms were two per cent for cash if 

 remitted ten days from date of invoice. The buyer understood date 

 of invoice to refer to date of receipt of car, and deducted two per 

 cent though not paying within ten days of shipment. The settlement 

 was accepted but further shipments under the contract were refused. 



Still at it 



The propagandists of California still go merrily along their way, 

 distributing information of various types and character tending to 

 lure the innocent investor into spending his money with the prospect 

 of becoming immediately and enormously wealthy through the culti- 

 vation of eucalyptus. The significant fact still remains, however, that 

 a practical demonstration of the feasibUity of growing eucalyptus 

 commercially is not yet in evidence, and cannot be for the simple 

 reason that the so-called industry is really just starting. It is an 

 evident fact that such literature as has been gotten out is based en- 

 tirely on a supposition that the alluring facts published will prove 

 up in actuality. 



Hakdwood Eecord is just in receipt of an urgent communication 

 from a eucalyptus investment company of Los Angeles, which is very 

 much along the lines of similar literature emanating from these 

 sources during the past few years. The communication contains the 

 usual information showing the remarkable growth of the trees, and 

 would convey to the prospective investor the impression that all that 

 is necessary is for him to send a check to the extent of his investment 

 and the trees will immediately sprout and as they climb drop dollars 

 as easily and constantly as a maple tree drops leaves on a cold 

 autumn day. 



