Evening star., 1922-07-29
PROGRESS MADE
IN LUMBER TRADE
Reorganization on Hoover
Plan Moving Ahead, Con-
ference Is Told.

substantial progress in the develop
! ment of reorganized trade practices
in the lumber industry, in accordance
with the so-called Hoover plan, was
made this week at three-day con-
ference in Chicago of representatives
Of lumber manufacturers. distributors
and consumers, meeting under aus
rices OF the National Lumber Manu-
facturers' Association.
Nearly 100 delegates. representing
virtually all the large trades and pro-
fessional associations of the country
concerned in the manufacture and
Use of lumber. including lumber manu-
fGcturers. wholesalers. retailers. archi-
tects, building engineers and many
wood using and woodworking indus
tries. took part in the proceedings.
Wilson Compton. secretary manager
of the National Lumber Manufacturers
Association, was made chairman.
The committee spent practically
three days in considering a report
submitted to it by engineers and
others of the lumber industry and of
the United States forest service. who
had been in session at Madison. Wis,
for a week prior to the Chicago meet
ing. The whole purpose OF the con-
ference here was to devise methods
of standardization of sizes. simplifi-
cation of grades and grade nomen-
clature and the elimination of waste
in the industry.
Only Aid Intended.
William A. Durgin, assistant to Sec
retary of Commerce Hoover. who is
at the head of the revision of simpli-
fed practices in the Department of
Commerce. addressed the general
committee as a personal representa-
tive of Mr.. Hoover. Mr.. Durgin en-
phasized the fact that this was not
move to involve the government In
but was solely designed to lend its
great prestige and the fine facilities
of the Department of Commerce to
aid business in its own plans of re-
organization of trade practices.
In addressing the committee Mr..
Durgin said:
so many people say, What in the
world are you going after lumber
for? Why do you pick us out?'
81 do not just see how that view
point got out. Lumber is not picked
out. Lumber at the present moment
tries that are in contact with the
Department of Commerce. in about
the same way that lumber is. To be
sure. lumber is very much the ~most
important Of these industries, and so
perhaps you may feel that you were
=
but 1 hope as this work goes on you
will find that a matter of pride in
stead of irritation. 1 think you will
register as the first great industry
of the country in favor of Hoover
Standardization of simplificatfon.
Would Obviate Need of Laws.
1--WE are working at this conference
lon of all interests-the opinions Of
associations which will guide the or
ganization that / understand that you
are to form here in proceeding with
your work. But surely you do not
wish to adopt or reject any Of these
questions until they have had much
further discussion, much further di-
gestion. than has been possible. Be
cause these questions are epoch-mak-
ing in lumber. they are epoch making
in this country. They are the first
wise attempts on the part Of a great
phrase that has already been used
this afternoon. to beat them to it. In
this continual repressive legislation,
which. if it keeps on. is going to up
set the entire Industrial structure OF
this country.
"As Mr.. Hoover says 1t, you men
are going to meet together In such
united action that no congressman.
nor senator, nor anybody else, can
find any possible reason for suggest
ing legislation in the lumber indus
try. And as you lead the way, you
are going to entirely change the trend
of industrial philosophy in this coun-
try. and we are going to get back
really to the viewpoint of our fore
fathers who founded this country as
a place where every honest. wise citi-
zen could go ahead and control his
own business. That, gentlemen, Is
much more vital than any one OF the
specific questions that you have be-
fore you. At least so we feel.
Mr.. Hoover asked me to express to
YOU his very great interest in this