PLAN No. 913. CLASSIFICATION OF LABOR IN THE LUMBER INDUSTRY

225 Jobs Listed

Logging work as a rule requires a man of robust constitution who can stand up under hard physical labor performed in the open in all kinds of weather. Loggers must as a rule be skilled in the use of ax, crosscut saw, and like tools, or to be competent teamsters, although considerable unskilled labor is employed in each camp.

Sawmill employees should in most instances be robust. They are not as a rule exposed to inclement weather to the same degree as loggers. A high degree of mechanical skill is required of saw filers, sawyers, mechanics, and persons filling like places, but the greater part of the sawmill work does not demand mechanical skill of even average degree and consequently the work can be satisfactorily performed by labor which has had but little previous experience. In most positions a man who is of average intelligence and has the ability to quickly adapt himself to new lines of work will prove successful.

Woods work as a rule does not appeal to the city born and bred man, because it takes him from settled communities. On the other hand, both logging and sawmill work often appeal to the country-reared man because it keeps him out in the open.

The scarcity of labor during the last year has necessitated the employment of many laborers who would not have been acceptable in former times. Women are now filling many places in the industry to which they were not formerly considered eligible. They are now driving teams on logging jobs, felling timber, laying railroad steel, surfacing railroad track, and doing other work in the woods, as well as filling very satisfactorily a large number of places in sawmills, box factories, and other woodworking establishments which were formerly filled exclusively by men.

There is promise of a readjustment of labor conditions in the industry, and it is certain that the discovery of the worth of female labor in the industry will have a marked effect on labor conditions. The entrance of female workers will mean that many forms of the lighter labor formerly performed by physically deficient males will be given over to women, and it is possible that this may have a marked bearing on the possibility of employing wounded soldiers for this purpose. Few soldiers will be advised to enter the lumber industry unless they were formerly engaged in a similar line of work.

The following tabulation shows in a very general way the minimum range of the technical and mechanical qualifications required for certain lines of logging and sawmill work. Experienced men with greater disabilities than those mentioned may prove efficient, but it is not believed that inexperienced men who can not meet the requirements would prove satisfactory in the industry.

Better Than 225 Jobs
Labor Classification—Lumber Industry
Physical and Technical Qualifications

Physical requirements.Training and experience.Remarks.
Physique.Arms.Legs.Eye-
sight.
Hear-
ing.
Technical knowledge.Mechanical skill.
Low.Average.High.Low.Aver-
age.
High.
A. Logging engineering:
(1) Land surveys—
a. Instrument man.Robust.2[13]2Good.Fair. Yes; mathematical. Must be able to travel on foot for long distances.
b. Rodman.do.2[13]2Fair.do. Yes; general knowledge of surveying. Do.
c. Chainman.do.2[13]2do.do. do. Do.
d. Axeman.do.2[13]2do.do. Yes. Do.
(2) Timber cruising—
a. Cruiser.do.1[13]2Good.do. Yes; timber estimating. Do.
b. Compassman.do.2[13]2Fair.do. Compass work. Do.
c. Cook.do.2[13]21 eye, fair.do. General qualification for cook.
(3) Topographic mapping and map making.do.2[13]2Good.do. Compass work. Must be able to travel on foot for long distances.
(4) Railroad location—
a. Instrument man.do.2[13]2do.do. Yes; Mathematical. Do.
b. Rodman.do.2[13]2Fairdo. Yes; general knowledge of surveying. Do.
c. Chainman.do.2[13]2do.do. do. Do.
d. Axeman.do.2[13]2do.do. Yes. Do.
(5) Planning logging operations—
a. Forester or logging engineer.do.2[13]2do.do. Knowledge of logging methods. Do.
B. Logging:
(1) Felling and bucking (including saw fitting)—
a. Head faller.Robust.22Fair.Fair. Yes.
b. Second faller.do.22do.do. Yes.
c. Saw filer.Fairly robust.21Good.Fair to poor. Knowledge of saw fitting.
d. Saw boss.do.121 eye, fair.Fair. do.
(2) Skidding and yarding (animal)—
a. Teamster.Robust.22Fair.do. Yes. Must be a skilled teamster.
b. Swamper.do.22do. Yes. Must be able to handle an ax.
c. Grab setter.do.221 eye.do. Yes.
d. Tong hooker.do.22do.do. Yes.
e. Tong unhooker.do.22do.do. Yes.
f. Cant hookman.do.22do.do. Yes.
g. Skidway man.do.22do.do. Yes.
(Power—Pacific coast):
a. Hook tender.do.22do.do. Yes. Yes.
b. Rigging shingle.do.22do.do. Yes.
c. Choker man.do.22do.Good. Yes.
d. Sniper.do.22do.Fair to poor. Yes.
e. Signalman.Average.121 eye, fair.Good. Yes.
f. Yarding and road engineer.do.22Good.do. Yes.
g. Yarding and road-engine fireman.do.22Fair.Fair. Yes.
h. Wood buck.Robust.22do.Fair to poor. Yes.
i. Head loader.do.22do.Fair. Yes.
j. Second loader.do.22do.do. Yes.
k. Loading engine engineer.Average.22do.Good. Yes.
l. Loading engine fireman.do.22do.do. Yes.
m. Pump man.do.21do.Fair. Yes.
o. Master mechanic.do.22do.do. Yes.
n. Blacksmith.Robust.21Good.do. Yes.
p. Carpenter.do.22do.do. Yes.
q. Car repairer.do.22do.do. Yes.
r. Pole road construction (foreman).do.22Fair.do. Yes.
s. Pole road construction (laborers).do.22do.do. Yes.
t. Landing construction (foreman).do.22do.do. Yes.
u. Landing construction (men).do.22do.do. Yes.
(3) Transportation—
a. Locomotive engineer.do.22Good.Good. Yes.
b. Locomotive fireman.do.22do.do. Yes.
c. Conductor, log train.Average.12do.do. Yes.
d. Brakeman, log train.Robust.22do.do. Yes.
e. Section foreman.Average.12do.Fair. Yes.
f. Section man.Robust.22Fair.Fair to poor. Yes.
g. Railroad construction (foreman).do.22do.Fair. Yes.
h. Railroad construction (men).do.22do.Fair to poor. Yes.
i. Rafting or boom foreman.do.22do.Fair. Yes.
j. Rafting or boom men.do.22do.do. Yes.
k. Driver foreman.do.22Good.do. Yes.
l. River driver.do.22Fair.do. Yes.
(4) Timber measurement—
a. Scaler.Average.1 or 22Good.do. Yes.
b. Scaler’s helper.do.22Fair.Fair to poor. Yes.
(5) General camp crew—
a. Foreman.Robust.22do.do. Yes.Wide experience.
b. Barn man.Average.21do.do. Yes.
c. Cook.Robust.211do. General qualifications for industrial camp cook.
d. Flunkey.Average.211 eye, fair.do.
e. Chore boy.do.21Fair.do.
f. Camp clerk.do.11do.do. Ordinary clerical ability.
Lumber manufacture:
C. (1) Log storage—
a. Log car unloaders.Robust.22do.Fair. Yes. Loss of 1 or 2 fingers no detriment.
b. Pond foreman.Average.221 eye, fair.do. Yes. Do.
c. Sinker raiser.Robust.22do.do. Yes. Do.
d. Boom men and jacker feeder.do.22do.do. Yes.
(2) Sawmill proper—
a. Dock man and scaler.Average.22Good.Fair. Yes. Yes. Loss of 1 or 2 fingers no detriment.
b. Sawyer.Robust.22do.do. Yes. Yes.
c. Setter.do.22do.do. Yes. Yes. Loss of 1 finger no detriment.
d. Carriage rider.do.22Fair.do. Yes. Loss of 1 or 2 fingers no detriment.
e. Swamper or off-bearer.do.22do.do. Yes. Do.
f. Tripper.Average.22do.do. Yes. Do.
g. Edgerman.Robust.22Good.do. Yes.
h. Tail edger.do.22Fair.do. Loss of 1 finger no detriment.
i. Slasherman.Average.22do.do. Loss of 1 or 2 fingers no detriment.
j. Gang sawyer.do.22Good.do. Yes. Loss of 1 finger no detriment.
k. Gang feeder.Robust.22Fair.do. Do.
l. Gang tailer.do.22do.do. Do.
m. Trimmer loader.do.21do.do.
n. Trimmer leverman.Average.21Good.do. Yes.
o. Clean-up man.do.21Fair.do. Loss of 1 finger no detriment.
p. Oiler.do.22Good.do.Yes. Do.
q. Foreman.do.11do.do. Yes.
r. Saw filer.do.21do.do. Yes.Yes.
s. Saw filer helper.do.21do.do. Yes. Yes.
t. Jump saw operator.do.21Fair.do. Yes. Loss of 1 or 2 fingers no detriment.
u. Millwright.Robust.22Good.do. Yes.
v. Watchman.Average.12do.do. Loss of 1 finger no detriment.
(3) Sorting and grading—
a. Inspector, lumber.do.22do.do. Yes. Do.
b. Graders.Robust.22do.do. Yes.
c. Sorting table man.do.2[14]1Fair.do.
(4) Yard and kiln work—
a. Foreman.Average.12do.do. Yes. Yes.
b. Teamsters.do.22do.do. Yes.
c. Stackers.Robust.22do.do. Yes.
d. Send-in men.do.22do.do. Yes.
(5) Planing mill—
a. Foreman.Average.12do.do. Yes.
b. Machinist.do.22Good.do. Yes.
c. Shipping clerk.do.11Fair.do. Ability to handle men and handle office work.
d. Machine feeders.Robust.22do.do. Yes.
e. Grades behind Machines.Average.22Good.do. Yes.
f. Machine tailers.do.22Fair.do.
g. Tyers.do.21do.do.
(6) Loading and shipping—
a. Truckers.Robust.22do.do. Loss of 1 or 2 fingers no detriment.
b. Car loaders.do.22do.do.
c. Checkers.Average.22Good.do. Yes.
(7) Office and Sales—
a. Clerk.do.21Fair.do. General clerical ability.
b. Salesman.do.12do.do. Sales ability.
(8) Commissary employees.do.211 eye, fair.do. General store clerk ability.
(9) Power house—
a. Engineer.do.22Fair.do. Yes.
b. Fireman.do.21do.do. Yes.
c. Common labor.do.22do.do.
(10) Machine shop—
a. Foreman.do.22do.do. Yes.
b. Blacksmith.Robust.22Good.do. Yes.
c. Machinist.do.21do.do. Yes.
d. Boiler maker.do.22do.do. Yes.
e. Pattern maker.do.21do.do. Yes.
f. Welders.do.22do.do. Yes.
g. Electrician.do.22do.do. Yes.
h. Helpers.do.22Fair.do. Yes.
i. Common labor.do.22do.do.
(11) Miscellaneous—
a. Timekeeper.Average.21do.do. Average clerical ability.
b. Common labor.Robust.22do.do.
D. Lath Manufacture:
a. Foreman.Average.21Fair.Fair. Yes.
b. Slab picker.Robust.21do.do.
c. Machine feeders.do.22do.do.
d. Machine tailers.do.22do.do.
e. Lath bundlers and Graders.Average.22do.do.
E. Shingle manufacture:
a. Foreman.do.21do.do. Yes.
b. Bolter.Robust.22do.do. Yes.
c. Shingle sawyer.do.21do.do. Yes.
d. Knob sawyer.do.21do.do.
e. Grader and bundler.Average.21do.do.
F. Paper industry:
(1) Millwork—
a. Head piler (wood).do.12do.do. Yes.
b. Wood handlers.Robust.22do.do.
c. Conveyor man.do.21do.do.
d. River man.do.22do.do. Yes.
e. Head wood handler.Average.12do.do. Yes.
f. Slip man.Robust.22do.do.
g. Head preparer.Average.11do.do. Yes.
h. Swing sawyer.Robust.21do.do. Yes.
i. Barker.do.22do.do. Yes.
j. Splitter.do.22do.do. Yes.
k. Waste handler.do.22do.do.
l. Chipper.Average.22do.do. Yes.
m. Head grinder man.do.12do.do. Yes.
n. Stone sharpener.Robust.22do.do. Yes.
o. Grinder man.do.22do.do. Yes.
p. Block handler.do.22do.do.
q. Screenman.Average.22do.do. Yes.
r. Sliver man.do.22do.do. Yes.
s. Head pressman.do.12do.do. Yes. Yes.
t. Pressman.Robust.22do.do. Yes. Yes.
u. Decker man.do.22do.do. Yes.
v. Sulphur burner.Average.12do.do. Yes.
w. Acid maker.do.12do.do. Yes.
x. Lime slacker.do.12do.do. Yes.
y. Lime handler.do.22do.do.
z. Towerman.do.22do.do.
aa. Cook (digesters).do.11do.do. Yes.
bb. Cook, first helper.do.22do.do.
cc. Cook, second helper.do.22do.do.
dd. Blow pitman.do.22do.do.
ee. Screenman.do.22do.do. Yes.
ff. Waste handler.do.22do.do.
gg. Head pressman.Robust.22do.do. Yes. Yes.
hh. Pressman.do.22do.do. Yes. Yes.
ii. Head beater man.Average.11do.do. Yes. Yes.
jj. Beater man.Robust.22do.do.
kk. Clay and size man.Average .22do.do. Yes.
ll. Machine tender.Robust.22do.do. Yes. Yes.
mm. Machine man (others).do.22do.do. Yes.
nn. Head finisher.Average.11do.do. Yes.
oo. Cutter man.do.22do.do. Yes.
pp. Rewinder.do.22do.do. Yes.
qq. Weigher.do.22do.do.
rr. Marker.do.22do.do.
ss. Balers.Robust.22do.do.
tt. Oilers.Average.22Good.do. Yes.
uu. Cleaner.do.22Fair.do. Yes.
vv. Filter man.do.22do.do. Yes.
ww. First core cleaner.do.22do.do. Yes.
xx. Core cleaner.do.22do.do. Yes.
yy. Stock saver.do.22do.do. Yes.
zz. Engineer.do.21 or 2do.Good. Yes.
aaa. Fireman.do.21do.Fair. Yes.
bbb. Dynamo man.do.22do.do. Yes.
ccc. Coal and wood handlers.Robust.22do.do.
ddd. Boiler cleaner.do.22do.do. Yes.
eee. Head repair man.Average.12do.do. Yes.
fff. Repair man.Robust.22Fair.do. Yes.
ggg. Repair man helpers.do.22do.do. Yes.
hhh. Core maker.do.22do.do. Yes.
G. Cooperage industry:
(1) Woods work (same qualifications as for regular logging).
Average.22do.do. Yes.
Robust.22do.do. Yes.
(2) Manufacture—do.22do.do. Yes.
a. Drag saw operator.do.22do.do. Yes.
b. Bolter.
c. Peeler.
d. Sawyer.
e. Knife grinder and filer.Average.21Good.Fair. Yes.
f. Jointers.Robust.22Fair.do. Yes.
g. Matchers.do.22do.do. Yes.
h. Turners.do.22do.do. Yes.
i. Packers.do.22do.do.
j. Truckers.Average.22do.do.
k. Clean-up men.do.
H. Veneer mill:
a. Foreman.do.11do.do. Yes.
b. Drag saw man.Robust.21do.do. Yes.
c. Hot box man.do.22do.do. Yes.
d. Deck labor.do.22do.do.
e. Machine operator.do.22do.do. Yes.
f. Sawyer.do.22do.do. Yes. Yes.
g. Grader.Average.21do.do. Yes.
h. Stock handler.Robust.21do.do.
i. Trucker.do.21do.do.
j. Kiln operator.Average.21do.do. Yes. Yes.
k. Packer and loader.Robust.22do.do.
l. Engineer.Average.21do.do. Yes.
m. Fireman.Robust.22do.do. Yes.
n. Common labor.do.22do.do.
I. Wood preservation:
a. Superintendent.Average.11do.do. Yes. Yes.
b. Foreman.do.22do.do. Yes.
c. Common labor.Robust.22do.do.
d. Engineer.Average.21do.do. Yes.
e. Fireman.Robust.22do.do. Yes.

[13] Ability to travel on foot.

[14] Preferably 2.