The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-10-29
STANDARD MARK
FOR ALL LUMBER
Consumer Can Now Tell
Real Values When Pur-
chasing Lumber.
MAKERS GUARANTEE

American lumber consumers are
fully aware of the advantages of the
STANDARDIZATION of sizes and grades
which have recently been adopted by
the lumber industry.
Unquestionably, this is the most
important step which has ever been
taken to improve our lumber mer-
chandising system. However, in or
der to crown the work the grade mark
ing of lumber should be made an
adjunct to- the STANDARDIZATION plan,
without which the latter will not be
fully successful.
BY grade marking of lumber is
meant the placing on each piece of
lumber a brand or mark indicating
its grade. Usually the name of the
producer is also added. One might
say that the grade mark is to lum-
Der what signature is to a letter or
contract.
A producer "signs on the dotted
line" when he applies his grade mark
and indicates that he is willing to
stand back of his product and wants
the world to know who produced it.
Grade marking can not succeed UNI
less it is conscientiously carried out.
A producer who is not willing to as
sumo the full guarantee in regard to
the quality of his grade-marked prod
uct should not embark on the VEN
ture, because in such case the grade
marks will work against hiEl instead
of for him.
Many commodities have for years
been grade marked. This particularly
applies to such articles as are sold
on the basis of standard qualities,
and which can have the grade mark
applied to them. Every household is
familiar with certain foodstuffs sold
under different brands according to
quality.
These articles are widely known
for two reasons. In the first place,
the consumer knows that the quality
is as represented, and if a mistake
should occur the factory will correct
it. In the second place, the grade
mark has been used in advertising,
and by seeing the same grade marks
year after year the public has been
educated to order such q grade by
brands. What has been accomplished
in regard to foodstuffs and other
grade-marked articles can also be done
in regard to lumber.
Although the grade-marking idea
originated with the manufacturers,
the main benefit will be to the con-
sumers. Heretofore lumber has not
generally been grade marked in the
domestic trade.
Some Don't Mark Quality.
It is true that few lumber man
ufacturers have trade-marked their
products, but without any indication
of quality. This has many advan-
tages, but it has not been fully effec-
tive except in cases where the man
ufacturer has had complete control
over the distribution, and has safe
guarded tie consumers against mis-
representation of grades. The grade
marks will make the manufacturers
and consumers Independent of any
tamperiug with grades. The consum-
er can ascertain the quality in each
instance, because the grade is stamped
on each piece of lumber.
This is indeed remarkable step
along the lines of efficient and honest
merchandising practices which should
meet with the appreciation of the con-
sumner, who after all, pays for care
lessness in grading of lumber or mix
ing or substitution of grades between
producer and consumer.
Lumber passes through many hands
before it reaches the consumer. In
nongrade- marked lumber it is impos-
sible to place the responsibility for
the correctness and integrity of the
grade. The consequence has been
that many consumers have reduced
their lumber purchases and have
adopted less satisfactory substitutes.