122 



SELLING LUMBER 



Government 

 Approval of 

 Co-Operative 

 Organizations 



before the public, to insure those who use it of honest treatment, 

 and to study and investigate the improvements which can be made 

 in manufacturing and merchandising, and to achieve the highest 

 efficiency possible for the industry. 



It is needless to say that this work is conducted in strict con- 

 formity with the laws. It is, indeed, exactly in harmony with the 

 views of the President of the United States, who in a recent letter 

 to the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission urging the ne- 

 cessity of increased efficiency on the part of the American busi- 

 ness, said: 



THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON. 



"Mv DEAR MR. HURLEY: 



"Your suggestion that trade associations, manufactur- 

 ers' associations, and other similar organizations should 

 be encouraged in every feasible way by the Government 

 seems to me a very wise one. To furnish them with data 

 and comprehensive information in order that they may 

 more easily accomplish the result that they are organized 

 for is a proper and useful government function. These 

 associations, when organized for the purpose of improv- 

 ing conditions in their particular industry, such as unifying 

 cost accounting and bookkeeping methods, standardizing 

 products and processes of manufacture, should meet with 

 the approval of every man interested in the business prog- 

 ress of the country. 



"Too much emphasis cannot be placed on your sugges- 

 tion that materials, methods and products in industry 

 should be standardized upon the basis of specifications 

 drawn up in friendly co-operation with engineering socie- 

 ties, industrial experts and trade associations. Further 

 standardization in our industries will not only reduce the 

 cost of production, but assure the producer better ma- 

 terials and more efficient workmanship, and to the con- 

 suming public the manifest benefits resulting from not 

 having to pay for a wide and increasing variety of prod- 

 ucts and materials. Judicious standardization also means 

 a greater return on a given investment. Capital now tied 

 up because of inefficient methods will be released and 

 can be used effectively elsewhere. 



