asking anyone else who such a person of prominence in the lumbering or 

 forestry industry is, what a certain movement is., what is the purpose 

 and name of various organizations, etc. Such a class or meeting carried 

 on in a parliamentary manner would be worth many times the effort and 

 time thus spent. Study the business methods of leaders in these lines 

 and find out why they hold the positions they do. If some new idea is 

 presented, do not take somebody's word for it, but analyze for yourself 

 the advantages and disadvantages which present themselves to the scheme. 



One of the most helpful things to me at present is a carefully kept 

 loose-leaf pocket note-book. This I started early in my college course and 

 have endeavored to keep up to date all the time. In this I have kept cost- 

 data of all kinds, concise bits of information dealing with any points 

 which I thought might be profitable, and a directory of persons and con- 

 cerns who are affiliated with the lumbering industry. 



Try to lay out a plan of study and observation and follow up same 

 conscientiously. One can accomplish twice the amount of work in the 

 same time if you go about it with a definite plan. 



Now, this sounds a great deal like "preaching," but I thought it 

 might be of interest to those now pursuing forestry and lumbering courses 

 if they could see what points had proven of advantage to a person who 

 has completed the course, and also note the points which might have 

 been followed more intensively with greater advantage, and I trust this 

 little article may be of help to some one now taking a forestry course. 



Now, as to the work I am engaged in here in the South. No doubt 

 some of you will be interested in just what my duties are here, since I 

 believe my work is slightly different from that most of the Washington 

 forestry graduates enter. 



I am engaged by the Panama Canal as an inspector for all classes 

 of lumbering products going ahead for use at the Canal. We have a 

 force of six men and a Chief Inspector (who, by the way, is Mr. H. P. 

 W r yckoff, a Seattle boy). The greater volume of ottr inspections covers 

 pine lumber of all kinds, sizes and dimensions, cypress, oak, lesser quan- 

 tities of other hardwoods and creosoted material. I have also been de- 

 tailed and "educated" to the inspection of oils, greases, kerosene and 

 other miscellaneous products which go forward in lesser quantities. The 

 actual inspection part of the game, while most important, is the easiest 

 part of it, and diplomacy is the virtue which must be exercised at all 

 times to prevent the ever impending friction incident to the work. 



There are pleasantries in the work, too, incident to the travel to 

 different Coast and Gulf cities and the coming in contact with many big 

 men in the world of industry, which is always interesting and helpful. 



New Orleans is a quaint and historic city, with a pleasing air of 

 hospitality, but the Northwest country appeals to me most and I hope 

 to return there in the not too distant future. 



I extend my best wishes to the Washington "Foresters," and stand 

 ready at all times to help out any progressive movements of the school. 



Sincerely, 

 J. S. Williams. 



616 Whitney-Central Building, 

 New Orleans, Louisiana. 



