Hoo Hoo Adopts Constructive Program at 40th Annual Convention

B. F. Sprin ger Elected Snark of Universe

Acloption of an aggressive program of local educational and promotional activities for the ensuing year lvas the outstanding feature of the 40th Annual Convention of the Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo, at West Baden, Ind., September 23. 24.25.

The convention marked the end of the eventful administration of Franklin A. Hofheins as Snark of the lJniverse and the election to that office of Benjamin F. Springer, secretary of the John Schroeder Lumber Co., Milwaukee, a member of last year's Supreme Nine and a foriner president of the Wisconsin Retail Lumbermen's Association.

The other members of the new Supreme Nine are:

Charles R. Black, J. W. Black Lumber Co., Corning, Ark., and a past president of the Southrvestern Lumbermen's Association, Senior Hoo-Hoo.

Thomas C. Spaulding, dean, school of forestry, IJniversity of l\{ontana, Missoula. Junior Hoo-Hoo.

Kenneth M. Brown, Coast Sarvmills, Ltd., Toronto, Ont., Bojum.

Ormie C. Lance, secretary-manag'er, Northrvestern Lumbermen's Association, Minneapolis, Scrivenoter.

William H. Burruss, Burruss Land & Lumber Co.. Lynchburg, Va., Jabberrvock.

Ross C. Kuhlman, secretary, District No. 1, Ohio Association of Retail Lumber Dealers, Cincinnati, Custocatian.

J. E. Martin, managing editor, "The California l-umber Merchant", Los Angeles, Arcanoper.

Andrew J. Brady, Palburn, Ini., Buffalo, and Counselor last year for New York state, Gurdon.

"Material realization is not the major objective of HooHoo and brotherhood, fraternity, friendship, confidence and charity are the benefits that keep the banner o{ the Black Cat flying", Snark Hofheins said in his report delivered at the opening session, Wednesday afternoon. "However, it must be recognized that the success of these more intangible elements can be increased by tying them to a clefinite program of material achievements.

"Man-power is a tremendous force rvhen harnessed. The man-power of Hoo-Hoo is becoming year by year of increasing importance to lumbermen.and to lumber associations. It is being felt, recognized and respected by other branches of the great construction industry, by associations, banks and other financial institutions and by governments, states. provinces and municipalities.

"The consumer controls business today, and to serve the consumer satisfactorily the Lumber Industry mnst develop a better merchandizing sense. Hoo-Hoo, he said, is helping substantially toward the development of better merchandising by lumbermen.

"There are so many phases to the problem of merchandising the output of so vast an industry as ours that without centralized effort, particularly in an educational way, we are bound to find species destroying constructive rvork of other species," he continued. "One of our greatest tasks, that of merchandising the new home and the modernizing of the home growing old, is too great a task for successful accomplishment by any one branch of the industry or for the entire industry, even as powerful as it is. It is a task that required the combined creative merchandising ability of the entire construction industry and the interests of lumber can best be served if the taik is approached with a united front.

"The man-power of Hoo-Hoo, particularly if a considerable number of the 150,000 eligible non-members in the industry are enlisted, represents the strongest possible factor that could be introduced into this huge merchandising program to make it successful. The benefit would accrue to the entire Lumber Industry, to every species and to the entire construction industry".

Snark Hofheins submitted a number of recommendations, the more important of which included the following: l. Continuance of the present plan of group insurance for the mernbership, despite the loss of some members who oppose lt.

2. That Hoo-Hoo clubs sponsor wood users meetings, such as those held at Buffalo, Kansas City, Spokane, Duluth and other points, the object being to tell the story of lumber to carpenters, contractors, architects, purchasing agents, etc.

3. Enforcement of the laws of the Order requiring that all Hoo-Hoo Club officers and members be members of the Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo in good standing.

4, That Hoo-Hoo clubs develop Boy Scout committees for the purpose of organizing older members of Scout Troops into active forestry groups, such groups to sponsor tree planting and nursery experimental projects in city parks.

5. That Hoo-Hoo International furnish a suggestive program for all Hoo-Hoo clubs for the year, and in turn ask each club to outline its plans.

6. That Hoo-Hoo public relations committees be organized in each state, and in each province of Canada, to campaign for the use of native woods in construction work within that state. (Snark Hofheins gave credit to Crosby H. Shevlin, of Bend, Ore., as the author of this plan).

7. That the Order maintain the closest possible contact with all Hoo-Hoo clubs, and with the various Lumber Trade Associations: also. that Hoo-Hoo clubs make fuller use of the information and practical help offered by the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association and affiliated trade extension organizations.

8. That the International Offices of the Order be moved from St. Louis to Chicago whenever finances permit.

All of these recommendations were approved in committee and adopted by the convention without a dissenting vote.

"Although showing a loss in paid-up members compared with 1930, Hoo-Hoo has done remarkably rvell under the conditions it faced," Secretary H. R. Isherwood said in his annual report, which follows in part:

"The Lumber Industry vitally needs the type of work Hoo-Hoo is doing, and this need will grow rather than decline regardless of improvement in business. The Lumber Industry must recognize that the return of better times will mean little to the industry unless a substantial share of the

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