Evening star., 1932-06-26
Wood Utilization
Advanced for Jobs
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

For the benefit of the jobless who
are willing to work with their hands.
the Department of Commerce Commit
tee on Wood Utilization has been con-
Quoting an extensive investigation of
the making of simple articles in gen.
eral demand which can be sold at a
profit without coming into competition
too keenly with mass production.
Since the depression began the COM
mittee has collected hundreds of ideas
demonstrating what the average handy
man can make out of wood and other
materials. 1t has published some of
its experiences from time to time and
is now planning to bring out a new
report containing many original ideas.
Already the committees suggestions
have resulted in home industrial ac-
tivities all over the country. Unem-
ployment units and relief organizations
are aiding in spreading the idea. Local
merchants are cooperating in the dis
tribution of the articles made and home
industries are receiving a notable i'm
petuS.
Here are few examples OF what is
being done in response to the sugges-
tions. From New Jersey come reports
of man who is making dog houses
for his community and building up
quite a trade. In California another is
making new kinds of trash bags which
use both wood and cotton. In Nebraska
a mechanic reports that he is making
profit from his folding tables for auto
mobile picnicS. In Hawaii an ex-Navy
man Is running small home factory
turning out all sorts of handy things
of wood, while his wife attends to the
sale of the articles.
Here in Washington an inventive
genius is making attractive signs bear
ing house numbers on a background Of
wood in natural finish. In the horti-
cultural sections of Delaware another
worker is making nursery signs. Two
enterpriSing young men in st. Louis
cart around rich earth in 100-pound
sacks for which they receive so cents a
sack. In Portland, Greg, a professional
man has turned to toy airplane making.
other reports from various parts OF
the country tell how men and women
are using practical suggestions in max
ing household, garden and farm equip
ment and Incorporating certain i'm
provements that the mass production
factories have not found 1t possible or
profitable to apply.
LOOhlllS AuOO uLlpOIG IBuTCS, Olle Ol
the officials of the Department Commit
tee expresses the opinion Shat millions
of dollars worth of products of home
craft, which are now imported from for
eign countries, could be easily replaced
if our American home industry, such as
the kind mentioned here, might be de-
yeloped. Thus, the committeemen
points out, would be provided both an
outlet for the products of farm wood
lots and profitable occupation for farm
labor during the slack Winter months
Helpful suggestions as to the kind of
material to be used for different articles,
as well as hints as to marketing, will be
made by the committee to those who
inquire. As to the sources Of supply for
those who have not any growing trees
at their command, the committee re-
minds the ambitious out of work that
every lumber yard has an accumulation
of odds and ends, short lengths or slow
sellers, and that retailers are usually
willing to cut wood approximately to
sizes desired by the customer.
Copyright, 1922