'Helping Good lllen to Do q Better Job' Theme of First Groding Course by Northwest Hordwood Associqtion

"Helping good men to do a better job" was the theme of a weekts course in grading hardwood lumber recently colcluded by the Noithwesl Hardwood Association at the Longview, Washington, plant of Weyerhaeuser Timber Com-pany. Lillard C. Nicely, veteran inspector for the Nationai Fiardwood Lumber Association, Chicago, acted as instructor.

In addition to NHA President Nist and Secretary Harry O. Mitchell, several officers of the Northwest Hardwood Assn. attended the 5-day session, June 14-20. L. R. Smith of the L. R. Smith Hardwood Co., a member of the NHLA Rules committee and a hardwood producer in Longview, assisted materially in the arrangements, as did Robert McFarland of the Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. It is hoped that a similar class may be held in the area later in the year, reports the National Hardwood Lumber Assn.

The NHLA's Lillard Nicely, who conducted the instruction, reported that the interest of the men was exceptionally high-and great progress was made in an understa.nding oi ttre NHLA rulei. He said this first such course in the Northwest reflects the interest and growth of the hardwood industry in Washington and Oregon.

"Don't look at the knot-look at the good wood you can get out of a board," he told the class of 20 from mills all over Oregon and Washington. "It's the same principle as buying ^sa1-l6sk at the good eating you'll get, not at the bone."

This was the first grading school in hardwoods ever to be held in the Pacific Northwest, it was pointed out by Emmet J. Nist, pioneer of the West Coast industry and president of the northwest association.

Nist stated that the advent of this school, following adoption of the grading rules for Pacific Coast alder and maple by the national association, clearly establishes western hardwoods as an up-and-coming industry.

"\Mith a resolrrce of more than Z3-blllion board feet of merchantable hardwoods in Oregon and Washington and Northern California, and steadily increasing use in the furniture and woodenware industries, the future of our industry is bright.

"While our native hardwoods have become well established as shop lumber, there is a growing demand for their use in mouldings, interior trim and other millwork and as wall paneling-both solid, built up and veneer-facing," he said.

"\Mith the recent granting of softwood rates on transcontinental rail shipments, in effect September 1 on all lines to the eastern seaboard, we anticipate new interest among buyers in the Cl-ricago, New York and other industrial centers.

"The establisl-rment of grades to insure quality standards, the granting of lower freight rates in response to the association's application, and the completion of studies in the management of Alder stands to perpetuate the crop are steps in the association's program to foster, develop and promote the native hardwoods of the West, launched less than three years ago by a group of earnest, far-sighted mill operators, timber growers and wholesalers.

"The association now has in its membershio a number of the leading hardwood distributors of Southern California and the Bay area, who have been very helpful in advising producers regarding the exacting specifications of the California furniture industry," President Nist concluded.

The annual meeting and election of ofificers and directors is scheduled for September 26 and 27 at Hotel Congress in Portland, Oregon. Information may be had by writing the Secretary-Mar.rager, Northwest Hardr,l'ood Assn., at 3253 Commodore Way, Seattle 99, \A'rashington.