The Southern herald., 1916-12-01


sentative Of that company. You may
also know that we have been accumu-
lating lands covered with spruce tim
Der for twenty years. Our holdings
now amount to areas equal to the
whole of the states Of Maine, New
Hampshire and Vermont. 1t is not
necessary that l should call your at
tention to the exhaustion of the
spruce Of New England, nor of other
areas in the United States that have,
in the past, been your source Of sup
ply for pulp from which to make your
paper The timber supply heretofore
available for this purpose is approach
ing exhaustion. When it is gone you
will all turn to the forests that are
next most accessible. We have those
forests. / therefore say to you that
all of you will come to me within the
next decade. l am coming to you
in advance"
As the young man who claimed to
be from the Canadian northwest
talked, the brusk manner Of the pres
ident Of the paper manufacturers grad
ually relaxed. He stroked his luxuri-
ant, Close-cropped whiskers in each di.
rection from the distinct part down
his chin and listened with undivided
attention. The Canadian timber lands
were at that time the matter of great
est interest in the pulp and paper
world. These lands had been some
thing of a mystery for their owners
were evidently sitting tight and bid
ing their time.
Il had depended on my subject to
interest yOu," said Gard. II came all
the way from Canada to get acquaint'
ed with the men who are going to con-
sumo my product. would like to at
tend your convention and address 1t"
Cards preparation for this ap-
proach and bid for seat on the floor
of the convention, had been most thor
ough. Upon receipt Of his orders he
had found himself with a week in
which to make ready. His first step had
been to get in touch with the publisher
of a great New York daily who had
reported to the department his be-
lief that there was white paper
trust. That publisher spent hundreds
Of thousands of dollars every year for
paper. He had therefore carefully
studied the paper situation. He had
all the facts as to the supply Of pulp
timber. He knew just the crisis that
the paper manufacturers faced. These
facts he impaired to Gard and the
special agent saw, through them
his opportunity to reach the conf
dence of the manufacturers and get
all the facts with relation to their
organization.
The convention was yet a week
of. Gard had time to accumulate
a sunburn and he went fishing down
the bay three afternoons in success
sion, wore no hat and rolled up his
sleeves. He was a young man of 9
lobster red for a day or two but Of
deep bronze at the end Of the week
With a touch or two Of the woods
such as a stout pair Of shoes and
hunting knife which he found occa
sion to produce, just the right impres
sion was created.
"There is nobody that the conven
ton would rather hear talk" Pres
ident Van Dorm was saying. There
is nobody who has subject Of more
interest. But admission to the con
vention is provided for in the consti
tuition and bylaws. Only members
may be admitted, Our work is strict
ly confidential"
"However, nothing is impossible,
insisted Gard. "A constitution can b,
amended"
1.-THE manner in which it can b
amended is also provided for in tn
bylaws. 1t cannot be done in fou
days"
The special agent saw himsel
bound to fail to get himself admitte
to the convention. There was the at
vantage, however, Of having been dt
MED a courtesy to which he had
strong claim and this left the wa
open to the asking Of other importan
favors.
Even though you cannot attend tn
meetings." Van Dorm suggested,
want to see that you meet all our leat
ing people and in this way you ma
accomplish practically as much.
would be glad II you would dine wit
me tonight"
II win be very glad to do So" sal
the special agent. "In the meanttm
you can probably provide me with
list of your members. In that way
can at least communicate with thel
ALL"
"That list is quite confidential" sal
the president. II have no copy Of
] myself"
But your permanent headquarteI
in Fourth avenue will have it." su
gested Gard. Cant you give me
4 note to the secretary?"
]. To this the president assented som
\ what hesitatingly. The note he wrot
was also a bit indefinite. 1t was nj
instructions to give copy Of the lis
1t might be so interpreted IL the Sc
n retary were inclined to be friendly.