New Britain herald., 1916-01-22
FORESTRY AND THE
 LUMBER MARKET
Relation Between Two Discussed
 By E. A. Sterling
(Special to the Herald.)

E, Chicago, Jan. 22.-At the annual | meeting of the American Forestry as- sociation, at the Copley Plaza hotel 1 Boston, January IS, E. A. Sterling, 1 forest engineer of Phila delphia, who ] represented the National Lumber 1 Manufacturers association, of Chicago, 1 gave an address on the relation be- l tween forestry and the lumber market. | Speaking of new developments l which influence this relationship, MT. 1 Sterling stated that "the depressed l state of the lumber market for the past few years has reacted unfavor ably on the systematic production of 1 wood crops, which is what forestry aims to do. There has been over ! production of lumber greatly reduced | demand and low prices, which have ! made, in many regions, even incum plete utilization of standing timber 1 unprofitable. The lumbermen have | been facing the most critical period in 1 the history of the industry and their 1 success or failure in devising ways and l means for the betterment of conditlonS and the stabilizing of the lumber mar ket will have very marked influence
 on the future development of for
 estry."
 Demoralized Lumber Market. MT Sterling then reviewed unfavor- able conditions as they affect what he | said is the second largest manufactur- ing industry in the country, with an | annual output valued at more than | one billion dollars, and represented by nearly 80,00O manufacturers and dis 1 tributors of forest products. This
 analysis brought out the fact that be- 1 cause of the magnitude of the in
 dustry, and the many individuals and
 corporations involved, the lumber | market is unable to adjust itself to
 varying conditions of supply and de- | mand It was also shown that there 1 has been no organization of lumber
 men, which, in any way, attempted. to regulate prices, but that instead of
 this and because of the emagnitude of
 the business and the many interests involved there has been over-produc- 1 tion, which demoralized the lumber 1 market.
 Mention was made of the investiga-
 ton of lumber conditions by the
 federal trade commission during the l past few months. Speaking of these
 hearings in various cities MT. Ster- Ing said Practically all that the
 
 is assurance that they will be acting
 within the law if they take steps to curtail production. What the out
 come will be no one can prophecy,
 but it is certain that some remedy is
 needed if the lumber business is to be
 nut on a basis which will give the
 fullest possible utilization of the
 nations forest resources, and give
 reasonable return on the capital in
 vested Unless these things can be
 brought about, commercial forestry
 cannot be practiced or even con-
 sidered.'
 Substitute Materials.
 Another condition which has not l been given much consideration by for
 esters is the competition of building
 materials which take the place or ! wood It was explained that during l the past few years there has been a 1 very great development along these l lines, and that the substitute people
 are spending millions annually for 1 advertising and publicity in order to
 make a market for their material and 1 they have succeeded to such an ex- i tent that lumber is permanently re- i placed in many places where it has had universal use.
 The lumber industry is now follow 1 ing the modern practice adopted by 1 other manufacturers in marketing their products. MT. Sterling outlined the policy and plans of the lumber l men in this regard as follows: Awake to Situation.
 "The lum bermen are now fully 1 awake to this situation, and have not only organized a defense, but are launching an educational publicity propaganda which will be an Offen- sive movement in behalf of wood products. Practically. every popular l magazine and many newspapers now carry lumber advertisem and with this publicity which tends to l create a desire on the part of the ul-
 innate consumer to use lumber gives l service and information which will enable the buyer to get greater satis- l faction and better use of the lumber | he buys The trade extension prop uganda of the lumber industry is l founded on the common sense policy ! that where lumber is as good or better i than any other building material, it
 should unquestionabIy be used; that | where by treatment to prevent decay
 or retard fire, or by any other pro- cessing or adaptation, it can be made entirely suitable, it should also be used, and that where it is not safe or economic, or otherwise suitable that some other material should take it's place."
 That ample lum Der resources still
 remain is indicated by the more re- cent Government estimates, and by careful study of the situation by those most familiar with conditions While
 undue publicity has been given to statements that our forest resources