The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-12
Ted Williams's Lumber Deal--A Romance of the Business World

Mr.. Williams" said the cashier, lean
ing back I'm his chair and taking of hi
eyeglasses. but the fact is I don't se,
that the order amounts to anything
It's practically nothing more than az
option on your lumber. as I zee II. ant
until II is delivered ard accepted It.,
not worth much as collateral on a loan
I'm sorry that I can't accommodate
you"
His tone had a ring Of fnality tina,
didn't permit much Of an opening for q
rejoinder. though Williams attempted
one rather weakly.
ITS perfectly good" was about ali
he could say. but the banker shook his
head and turned to his desk.
Geo whix." thought the young ium.
herman as he went down the steps Of
the bank. I'm up against II. I can't
very well borrow money at any other
bank after being turned down ut the
First National. I'll just have to see
johnson and get deliveries on the rest
Of hat lumber. that's all"
And he boarded . suburban car,
bound for the factory. without further
hesitation.
lie strobe into the ONCE OF johnson,
the lumber buyer. without waiting for
the telephone girl to query that digni-
tary. But II he thought no was 70
have the advantage Of the hrst word
he was mistaken.
Just the man I wanted to So" said
the buyer. looking up from his work.
ITS about that car Of dimension stock.
I thought you. claimed to have had
some experience In manufacturing
that kind Of material"
IT have" replied williams. feeling
himself getting pale around tho lips.
Whats wrong with IT."
Everything" replied Johnson coolly.
"Those specifications. my dear young
dressed. The stock should have been
cut with allowance for shrinkage In
the kiln and dressing. Yet you've
delivered the rough stock cut to the
size that II has to go into our wagons.
We can't use a foot of ~"
Williams dropped into a chair, his
eyes bullying.
Cant use it," he repeated. why.
man. I knew that the stuck had to be
dried and dressed. but I assumed that
your specifications allowed for the
shrInkage. Every dimension order I
ever handled called for the sizes as
they were to be cut at the mill.
You've got to take that stock. John
The buyer drew from his desk the
proposal fern on which the bid had
svhniitted and pointed To a two
line note. printed in the finest OF fine
at the bottom:
In cutting to size. allow a reason
able, margin for shylnkage in drying
and waste in dressing"
You see. Williams he said in a
vuice hat was meant TO I've kindly.
YOU have simply made a bad mis-
Now. on the rest OF this stock
I've more careful. because We can't
take II in II II isn't properly
made. our agons are certain definite
and the lumber has got to ut
those sizes. We can't cut them down.
you know"
And he smiled at the humor Of the
Every piece contained in your
specifications" aid Williams. rising
from his chair and attempting IN
speak calmly. has been cut and In
ready to he shipped. What's more.
rs been paid for. Those specifications
followed to the letter. and | shal,
you tn TAX" the material"
"Goud-hy," said Johnson coldly.
up the receiver and asking the
operator TO connect him with the
presidents office
When Williams reached his Office
mi dropped into his chair without
III his hat and overcoat his
mind was still wrestling with the big
problem that had suddenly confronted
him, He began TO appreciate why
umbermen had steered clear Of the
dimension business. Lumber.
Gu; Ia SIZE. can be used, an a
rule. only by the factory that
IL, in the absence OF standard
cation, and consequently a rejection
such as had been handed him by
.ohnspn simply meant that the marke,
'alue 81 his stock had deprecated
100 per cent
What's the natter" asked Miss
ilanche quickly.
He told her in a few words what |
happened. She knit her brows
ma pondercd "A few moments.
Wagon sizes are irregular enough"
he declared. but the only way out is |
o md some other manufacturer who
.nys that kind of stock. I'll get out n |
etter tonight to every vehicle con-
ern on our list. We may be lucky
"us to run into one that can
Sc IT,"
The next day Williams called on
larry Brown for advice. Brown gen.
RETAINED from saying "r told
so" but had little announcement
offer.
You were sure to be trimmed from
he ONE you stacked Nd against
sanders he said, That's how they
dividends nut there. It's 4 case
{ heads ! win. tails you lose.
when you agree to cut UP stock for
yon are putting yourself IN his
pecause you're making some.
ming you can market nowhere else.
Ills Rams n TO reject and mark
own and throw out until he can get
stock at his own price. II YOU
al mace allowances for shrinkage,
"a would have insisted on your man.
.~facturing the material or ~acceptinR a
ig reduction IN price on that account.
lies got you and that's all there
> to II. Take your medicine and