u 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



it appears on the surface. This subject has been approached in many 

 different ways for more than a decade, and thus far all etTorts have 

 proven futile. In the specific text of rules governing hardwood in- 

 spection there is a wide difference not only in various parts of the 

 country but in the same sections. 



Every one who has the interests of the hardwood lumber business 

 truly at heart has now come to recognize the permanent and valuable 

 results that would accrue if there were one basis for hardwood 

 inspection. This sentiment has been one of gradual growth, and it 

 has now crystallized into an almost universal determination that it 

 shall be accomplished. Active in this agitation is the president 

 of the National Hardwood Lumber Association, who less than eight 

 months ago, while doubtless believing in the value of the work, 

 deprecated any attempt to abrogate the well-known and historical 

 ' ' Butf alo agreement ' ' of his association, which provided that no 

 change in National rules should be made until December, 1908. Join- 

 ing with him in this movement is the chairman of the Inspection 

 Bules Committee of the same association, who up to within a short 

 time ago has been strenuous in using his influence against the sus- 

 pension of the alleged agreement governing a set of rules that are 

 now confessedly archaic. 



The first genuine and wholesale expression of public opinion on 

 this subject manifested itself at the annual meeting of the Hard- 

 wood Manufacturers' Association of the United States, held at Mem- 

 phis last January, when this desideratum was advocated by the presi- 

 dents of both the national hardwood associations. Since that time 

 conferences between inspection committees and meetings of several 

 state and national organizations have been held, and while nothing 

 has as yet been definitely accomplished, the spirit of conciliation and 

 compromise from all sources is abroad in the land, and there is a 

 possibility that this just work may soon become an accomplished 



fact. 



With regard to the difiBeulty of accomplishing universal hardwood 

 inspection, it must be recalled that ten years ago the jobbing 

 trade of Chicago, recognizing the chaotic condition of inspection 

 affairs covering lumber reaching this market, decided that they 

 needed a general overhauling, and that there was necessity for na- 

 tional rather than numerous trade-center systems of inspection ; and 

 through their influence the National Hardwood Lumber Association 

 was organized. It was hoped that the power gained by cementing 

 together even a few markets in a mutual agreement on inspection, 

 would induce all other sections of the country to follow, and thst 

 the rules might thus be made universal. This association put forth a 

 set of rules to cover wholesale purchases of lumber — transactions 

 between manufacturers ar.d jobbers. The movement was then strong- 

 ly dominated by the jobbing element. This association has suc- 

 ceeded in standardizing and generalizing its system of inspection 

 to a considerable degree, but it has thus far signally failed to make 

 it even approximately universal. 



Some five years ago a large element of the National Hardwood 

 Lumber Association resigned from it and formed a second and 

 purely manufacturers ' organization, known as the Hardwood Manu- 

 facturers ' Association of the United States. Since that time both 

 bodies have flourished, but their systems of inspection have always 

 varied to a considerable extent. The method thus far employed by 

 the national element has called for grading from the back or poorer 

 face of the board, and in measurement has given the odd three- 

 fourths inch and more to the seller, and less than three-fourths inch to 

 the buyer. On the other hand the manufacturers have insisted that 

 inasmuch as the greater portion of hardwood lumber in its finished 

 state shows only ore face, both sides of a piece of lumber should 

 be taken into, consideration in determining the grade, which prac- 

 tically calls for inspection on the face or good side of the board. 

 This association has also pursued the give-and-take half inch meas- 

 urement irt determining the quantity. 



While these two sets of rules will show a difference in value on 

 a thousand feet of lumber of from $1.50 to $3.00 under strict inter- 

 pretation their general application as regulated by supply and de- 

 mand and by custom will not show any vast difference in net results. 



It should be recalled that normally all men are selfish. It there- 

 fore happens that every manufacturer of lumber naturally seeks to 



dispose of the lowest possible quality of a given grade at the highest 

 possible price. On the contrary the jobber and wholesale consumer 

 strenuously seek to secure the highest possible quality of a given 

 grade at the lowest possible price. Here, thus far, has been the 

 parting of the ways. The Hardwood Manufacturers' Association 

 is entirely made up of manufacturers of lumber. The Michigan 

 Hardwood Manufacturers' Association is also exclusively a manu- 

 facturers ' organization. In Wisconsin there are two hardwood asso- 

 ciations, one composed of manufacturers only and the other of manu- 

 facturers and jobbers. The Indiana association is also made up of 

 both elements. The New York Lumber Trade Association, which 

 makes some pretense of having a hardwood inspection system, is 

 largely dominated by the jobbing element, as are the various other 

 lumber exchanges in the great trade centers of the country. 



It is a singular fact that the lumber business is the only manu- 

 facturing enterprise in which the manufacturer does not regulate 

 to the last degree the grading of his own product. This comes 

 about from the necessity that he make qualities suitable to the re- 

 quirements of the consuming trade. Up to this time hardwood in- 

 spection usages have been quite largely dictated by jobbers, because 

 they took the initial steps in the formation of the parent organiza- 

 tion and the local exchanges. Today, however, it is asserted that 

 the majority of members of the National Hardwood Lumber Asso- 

 ciation are either jobbers and manufacturers, or manufacturers ex- 

 clusively. This being the case, it should not be a difficult matter 

 for the hardwood lumber manufacturing element of the country, as 

 represented by all the various lumber exchanges and associations, tc 

 get together on a uniform system of hardwood inspection, and 

 promulgate it by very preponderance of numbers. 



It has become an axiom that value cannot be legislated into a 

 grade; if the grade is high a high price will follow; if the grade is 

 low, a low price will obtain. Up to this time, through local asso- 

 ciation pride, and through each association having had its own way 

 about inspection matters, there has been altogether too much stress 

 laid upon what should constitute a specific grade of lumber. It really 

 does not make much difference what the grade is so long as it suits 

 the trade for which it is intended. 



There is no doubt of the integrity of purpose of the president of 

 the National Hardwood Lumber Association in attempting to perfeci. 

 and make universal a logical system of hardwood inspection. In this 

 movement he .should have the endorsement and assistance of every 

 hardwood manufacturer, merchant and consumer in the land. The 

 Hardwood Record bids him Godspeed in his mission, and if he suc- 

 ceeds, as it is hoped he will, the hardwood trade of this country will 

 owe him more than it does any other man who has ever attempted to 

 better its conditions. 



The Michigan Meeting. 



The meeting of the Michigan Hardwood Manufacturers' Associa- 

 tion, held at Grand Eapids April 17, was marked by the first logical 

 action that has thus far transpired looking toward actual results in 

 the establishment of universal hardwood inspection. This associn- 

 tion appointed a committee to treat with other associations on the 

 subject of a uniform set of grading rules, and beyond that, gave 

 this committee full power to act in the premises. 



From time immemorial associations have appointed committees 

 to treat with other associations, but never before has an association 

 "got down to brass tacks" and delegated a coterie of members to 

 act in its behalf. 



Much may be expected from the impetus the hardwood manufac- 

 turers of Michigan are giving to the overhauling of inspection sys- 

 tems. They are being ably seconded in their efforts by Wisconsin 

 producers, who are equally anxious for up-to-date methods. 



If the other associations of the country will follow this 

 example, universal hardwood inspection will soon be in sight. 

 There are not years enough left in this century for a general body 

 of association members, meeting at odd times in various parts of 

 the United States, to get together on this proposition, but competent 

 committees representing these bodies can do it, and do it to the 

 satisfaction of all, within a week. 



