proper way to do business and, aside from the moral ques- 

 tion involved, will ultimately pay bigger dividends ; and when 

 that day of realization does come to him, he will find the 

 hand-clasp of welcome extended to him and we want him 

 to be one of us. 



Mr. Hoover's other suggestion, involving the creation 

 of some national instrumentality of an independent charac- 

 ter for the administration of inspection rules on all kinds 

 of lumber is a splendid one and should have the unqualified 

 support of this meeting. Such an instrumentality could func- 

 tion, perhaps, through the National Lumber Manufacturers' 

 Association and its service could be extended to foreign 

 countries with the result of great stabilization in these mar- 

 kets and the creation of a confidence on the part of the for- 

 eign buyer that has been previously sorely lacking in Am- 

 erican industry. 



In conclusion I want to say a few words regarding a 

 matter that is to me a most deplorable development. There 

 exists in the hardwood industry another organization com- 

 posed of wholesalers, dealers and some manufacturers and 

 an effort has been made to make it appear as tho this move- 

 ment is solely an attack on that organization. If any one 

 here present today is impelled by any such motive he is, 

 I am sure, entirely out of harmony with the spirit that ac- 

 tuates this great movement. 



We are here, not in criticism of any other organization 

 nor in protest thereof, but for the purpose of bringing to- 

 gether all of the hardwood mills in this country, of uniting 

 into one organization all of that class of people possessing 

 a unity of interest to the end that we may improve condi- 

 tions within our industry and place ourselves in position 

 to more efficiently serve the public. 



We have no word of criticism of the wholesaler or in- 

 termediate dealer who transacts his business honestly. He 

 is an important factor in the industry and should receive 

 encouragement. The wholesaler or dealer who thrives by 

 manipulation, substitution or other sharp practices is a para- 

 site and him do we condemn and we should not rest until he 

 has been completely eliminated. 



The wholesalers or dealers have unity of interest and 

 should properly unite into one organization, and it is proper 



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