National Conference on Forest Products 15 
may permit. This, in itself, is a very largely by the industries themselves. 
large order. And this to-day is the crux of the 
Nor should public agencies by any problem. If what we already know 
means monopolize the field of research could forthwith be universally applied, 
in timber use. Many American in- a tremendous gain in the consreva- 
dustries have been leaders in research. tion of our timber resources would be 
There is every reason why our forest immediately effected. And the more 
industries should, in their own behalf, we find out, the broader the horizon 
take an active part in this phase of of research becomes, equally more im- 
timber utilization, as a number of portant will it be that effective agen- 
them have already done. cies exist for the prompt application 
Any expansion in the efforts of of investigation results. 
public agencies will have but small The fine response to the call for this 
effect except as it supplements what confernece issued by Secretary Wal- 
the forest industries and forest con- lace indicates that the forest indus- 
sumers of the country themselves tries and woqd users of the United 
undertake. Forest products research States are keenly alive to these ques- 
is like a voice crying in the wilderness tions. You have assembled here for 
unless some form of industrial organ- a practical and definite purpose. The 
ization is ready to take what it offers, general facts as to our timber situa- 
try it out under commercial condi- tion are thoroughly known to you. 
tions, and then disseminate it through We have passed the stage of generali- 
the trade. Personally, I would draw ties and theoretical discussion. What 
no hard and fast lines on where Gov- we are here for is a plan of action. 
ernment activities should stop in put- I trust that out of his conference 
ting the results of research into will be evolved a program of specific 
practice through various forms of jobs that should be undertaken in 
trade demonstration and education. I order to drive most directly upon the 
would go just as far in this direc- particular forms of timber waste 
tion as our resources will permit. which will most readily yield to organ- 
But I am reminded of the retort made ized effort. And as I view it, we 
by a very keen Member of Congress, need to plan also, for some permanent, 
upon a request for appropriations for well-financed agency that will act as 
this purpose, who asked why it was a clearing house or steering com- 
necessary for the Federal Govern- mittee, to guide the movement as a 
ment to legislate brains into the forest whole and bring together the par- 
industries of the country. ticular industrial representatives, 
Whatever public agencies may be through project committees, or other- 
able to do in this direction, I believe wise, who should deal with any given 
that getting betterments into practice situation. If these two things can be 
through commercial demonstration done by the conference, it will stand 
and trade education must be assumed as a milestone in forest conservation. 
WASTE IN INDUSTRY AND METHODS OF COMBATING IT 
By C. H. MacDOWELL 
President, Armour Fertilizer Works 
The individual, organization, or wasteful, especially, with commen prop- 
State holding or devoloping a natural erty. ‘“Xasy come, easy go,” is based 
resource should in the public interest on fact. Work is the real measure 
be charged with the responsibility of of value. 
proper administration. Natural re- Workers vary in ability, capacity, 
sources, broadly, are of two classes: judgment, thrift, ambitions, attitudes, 
Those which when used are exhausted, age, and health; and their industry is 
such as coal, and those which can be controlled by these factors as well as 
reproduced in whole or in part, such by opportunity. So it is with collec- 
as timber. tive effort exerted in corporate form. 
Waste in industry has two broad Efficiency fluctuates from time to time 
phases: Waste of material resources in men and in associations. 
and waste of human effort. In the earlier days of our industries 
Efficiency begins in the home; so we were favored with a large supply 
does waste. The home attitude to- of raw materials easily procured and 
ward work and industry vitally in- cheaply transported. Tuel was plenti- 
fluences the individual during his ful and widely distributed. The great 
working years. Man is naturally shortage was labor, and necessity 
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