REFLECTIONS OF A LIFE DIRECTOR 329 



usefulness. The trouble lay, first, in losing sight of the true purpose 

 and character of the Association, and treating it as if it were a private 

 corporation. Tliis involves secrecy and withholding of all information 

 regarding tinances fnjin the members. At first the directors were fur- 

 nished copies of the auditor's report, but since 1917 even this has not 

 been done. Believing that the directors must at least be fully informed 

 as to the finances, the writer in 191.5 devised a form of cost accounting 

 statement, and was able to secure from the Secretary the figures for 

 19ir)-l()-]7. On January IT), 1917, Mr. Ridsdalc wrote him as follows: 



"In reference to the linancial statement. Mr. Pack writes to Mr. 

 Quincy : 



" M quite agree with you about not making public the details of our 

 annual statement. This matter has caused me considerable concern 

 and 1 am indeed glad that you feel as you do about it. We are con- 

 ducting a business and we should not let the secrets of that business 

 become known to everybody. I happen to know that there are certain 

 people that are very curious at this time.' 



"Mr. Pack. I take it, and Mr. Quincy both consider this linancial 

 statement as a report of the Finance Committee, only to be read to the 

 Directors at our annual Directors' meeting, where they have the oppor- 

 tunity of asking any questions they desire. 



(Signed) P. S. Ridsdale, Secretary." 



Through the Treasurer, J. E. jenks, of Washington, well known as 

 publisher of the Army and Navy Register, it was possible to obtain the 

 1918 statement — but Mr. Jenks found a disposition on the part of the 

 Secretary to withhold all information possible even from him. The 

 full statement for the year 1920 has never even been submitted to the 

 Board of Directors. An abstract from this statement was published 

 in the March number of American forestry in compliance with the 

 mandatory by-law adopted in January, 1!»20. 



When the Treasurer, Mr. Jenks, who had been unanimously elected 

 at the meeting in New York in January, 1920, asked the Secretary for 

 the 1919 statement, some time in February, he was informed by the 

 Secretary that he was no longer Treasurer. The Board, on February 

 20, declared the office vacant and elected Mr. Quincy to be Treasurer. 

 I requested information of the new Treasurer. Mr. Quincy, as to Mr. 

 Ridsdale's commissions and was referred by him to Mr. Ridsdale. 



A brief summary of the finances during these years follows : 



