A Decennial Record 37 



period can definitely be said to have been passed. The work in wood 

 products researcli had been clearly defined and many plainly blazed 

 trails had been opened through this little traveled field by the time 

 the world war assumed for the United States a more critical aspect. 

 Before the war was over, these trails were widened to broad highways 

 over which traveled many agencies and interests that sought the help 

 of this institution in solving problems vital to the welfare of nations. 



AVak Work 



The declaration of war on April 0. 1917, found the laboratory 

 M'ith a fund of basic information on wood and wood products, well- 

 developed apparatus and equipment for research and a small but 

 well-organized staff numbering among its members men M-ith nation- 

 wide reputations in their individual lines of research. Better still, the 

 personnel, largely composed of those who had seen the birth of the 

 laboratory or helped in its early gro\\i:h. was possessed of a sense of 

 partnership in true pioneer work, and of a spirit that stands out as one 

 of the real assets of the institution in the time of stress that marked 

 the opening of the war. It was this spirit that contributed largely to 

 whatever measure of success may have been achieved later, for it kept 

 the force largely intact despite the material gain or increase in per- 

 sonal prestige that awaited in so many other fields, military or civilian, 

 at that time. Without this loyal nucleus the usefulness of the labora- 

 tory to many war agencies woidd have been much limited. 



The entire energy of the whole organization Mas at once devoted 

 to the most efficient use of its knowledge and facilities in the prosecu- 

 tion of the war. A careful survey immediately showed that the labora- 

 tory's help would be needed in the solution of a great many problems 

 confronting these departments. A general list of problems was drawn 

 up, and ste])s taken to get into contact with the proper agencies and to 

 start the various researches which were plainly needed. 



This survey of forest products needs in relation to national 

 defense served to bring out with startling clearness the vast impor- 

 tance of wood and other forest products in Avarfare. Wood in the 

 form of lumber, timber, ties, posts, poles, piling, etc., must be supplied 

 for uses similar to those prevailing during times of peace, such as for 

 buildings (barracks-cantonments), railroads, In-idges, telephone and 



