HARDWOOD RECORD 



.lOHX W. LOVE. NASHVILLE, TENN., MEM- 

 BER EXECUTIVE BOARD 



E. 



W. LTJEIIRMAXN, ST. LOUIS, 

 MEMBER EXECUTIVE BOARD 



MO.. 



M. RITTER, COLUMBUS, O.. 

 EXECUTIVE BOARD 



MEMBER 



been called from the scene of his tireless activities. When James 

 Elliott Defebaugh, of the American Lumberman, passed away, the 

 lumber industry lost one of its best friends and strongest supporters. 

 Mr. Defebaugh was a friend of mine, and when I speak of him 1 

 reflect m}' feelings from the viewpoint of one who can appreciate 

 his worth from personal contact. 



On January 5th the association lost one of its most prominent 

 members. The death of John B. Ransom is a great loss to this 

 organization, as he was not only its president for two years, but 

 at all times has been one of our most active 

 John B. Ransom, and loyal members. Mr. Ransom was one of 

 Nashville's foremost citizens, a business man 

 of splendid ability and of the highest character — one wliose methods 

 of living any man would do well to follow. 



A brief analysis of last year's business discloses a most satis- 

 factory condition. Agricultural products, while showing no material 

 increase in volume over the previous year, show an increase in value 

 of nearly a billion dollars, or about 12 per cent. 

 Trade Iron, steel, copper, and other manufactured pro- 



Conditions, ducts have increased both in volume and prices, 

 in some cases exceeding all previous records. 



Bank clearings, showing an increase of more than 25 per cent, 

 over last year, testify clearly to the expansion in all linos of trade. 



Lumber has not advanced in price in the same proportion as any 

 other factory or farm product; but with the general revival of 

 commercial activity, it is only reasonable to predict that more sat- 

 isfactory values will be realized during the present year. Wages 

 have increased in every line of industry, the purchasing power of 

 the farmer has increased wonderful!}' during the past few years of 

 bounteous crops and constantly advancing prices. If lumber 

 values do increase, it will be through natural causes only, the 

 basis of which is the law of supph' and demand. Hardwood values, 

 especially those of the better grades, liave increased. The lower 

 grades, while moving off more satisfactorily during the latter part 

 of the year, have shown no apparent increase in price. 



It gives me great pleasure to greet such a large and representa- 

 tive attendance at this convention, and I take this opportunity to 

 thank you for your hearty co-operation during the past year, which 

 has made it a pleasure to be your president. From 

 Peroration, the smallest operator to the largest producer there 

 has been a more decided interest shown this year 

 than at any time since the association was organized, and this, 1 

 feel sure can only be accounted for on the ground that the associa- 

 tion is a necessity to the industry. The continuous growth of the 

 organization, the closer relations established among the members, 

 and the strength and standing of the association in the community, 

 are sources of much gratification, and so long as it continues upon 

 the same high plane which has characterized its work in the past, 

 its success is assured. We do not advocate combinations or agree- 

 ments in restraint of trade, nor action of any kind ivhich is opposed 

 to the public welfare. We do not expect the survival in business of 

 any one iclio by reason of incompetence, dishonesty, or fault, is 

 nnable to cope icith his competitors in an open market and a fair 

 field. What we do advocate, is fairness and friendship in business, 

 cordial intercourse, confidence in each other and frankness in dis- 

 closure V)hen information is properly requested. I desire to thank the 



variou.s committees who have been with us during the year, and 

 especially do I appreciate the hearty co-operation of the 

 members of the Executive Board who have stood by me, and have 

 given the olEce of president the support necessary to the welfare 

 of the organization. Finally, the splendid services of our able secre- 

 tary should not be overlooked. On the alert at all times to further 

 the best interests of the association, he has done commendable work 

 in every direction and especially among the purchasing element in 

 an educational way. 



ily duties the past year have brought me in closer touch with 

 the organization than the several years on its Executive Board, and 

 as long as it continues on the same business-like lines, this asso- 

 ciation will always have my most earnest support. 



Secretary Doster then read the report of C. M. Crawford, treas- 

 urer, as follows: 



REPORT OF TREASURER 



Cash on hand January 15, 1909 $ 5,455.77 



Cash received from Secretary's Office Janu- 

 ary 15, 1909 to January 31, 1910 30,919.28 



Vouchers paid out, from D-S52 old series to 

 J-294 present series 



$36,375.05 

 35.652.02 

 $723.03 



Cash on hand January 31, 1910 



Respectfully submitted, 



C. M. Crawford, Treasurer. 



The report of the auditor, which was next presented, guaranteed the 

 i-orrectness of the association 's accounting. 



Secretary Doster then read his report as follows: 

 SECRETARY'S REPORT 



Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention — In submitting 

 my annual report to you, covering 1909, I desire to take up various 

 subjects in the order in which they are arranged, as follows: 



1. Production. 



2. Executive Board Meetings in 1909. 



3. Eastern Oflace. 



4. Membership. 



5. Association Meetings Attended in 1909. 



6. Organizations Invited to Our Annual. 



7. Bureau of Grades — Inspection Department. 



8. Bureau of Grades — Grading Rules Department. 



9. Mahogany Interests Joining Our Association. 



10. Weights of Hardwood Lumber. 



11. Bulletin Service. 



12. Freight Traffic Matters. 



13. Market Condition Statement. 



14. Bureau of Commercial Reports. 



15. Publicity — Berlin Exposition. 

 IG. Exporting Red Gum. 



17. American Lumber Trades Congress. 



18. Stock Sheets— For Sale and Wanted. 



19. Corporation Tax. 



20. Telegraph Code. 



