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RAYONIER, INC.
Novembet'22: 1939
2 p. ta.
Personal Interview
EdWard T. Kline,'
Resident *Manager,
Rayonier, Ino„
Fernandina, Florida.
Rose Shepherd,Writor
Mr. Edward T. Kline, who styles himself "Resident Manager"
of Rayonier, Inc., is a tall, dark-haird, (slightly graying at
the temples) frozen -faced, curt gentleman of German aspect. In
spite of an appointment made early in the morning, he was not
inclined to give out any information, repeating several times
that he "had nothing to say," or "no information to impart"
regarding the mill now in process of completion in Fernandina
at the foot of Gum Street and the waterfront.
Even when shown the manuscript for the tentative Fernandina
Guide and tho meager information regarding the mill, which he
said was "all wrong," he would neither advige where the cow
was wrong, nor correct it in any manner, shape or form.
Asked if he hadrutharized the recent news releelse
Florida Times -Union of Saturday, November 18, 1939 he said
he had authorized a release, but not the one that was printed,
and at the same time he refused to indicate what was wrong and
which statements were correct in the news item.
By dint of much patience and questioning, with a lot
of answers "Yes" and "No" the attached was finally given as
the purpose of the min and its -products, "sufficient for any
local guide."
28073
E. T. Kline (Rayonier, Inc.
2.
Several business men of Fernandina who had shown favors
to the writer were asked as to Mr. KLine's attitude, to which
every one replied that he is considered very high hat," does
OT
1.41 acknowledge introductions, and refuses to be friendly with
the citizens of the little town.
Mr. Kline, with his assistant, Mr. A. R. Daly, has re-
cently bosh transferred to the plant from one of the plants
in Washington, in which State are several similar plants in
full operation.
The majority of the employees so far a skeleton force
have also been transferred from otliJr plants, and the greatest
secrecy prevails as to their work.
It is current rumor that the place is really a munitions
plant, financed and operated by Japanese capital.
At any rate, just at present, everything is in a state of
chaos, and everyone contacted in the plant looked stiff and
scared, even to the watchman at the gate.
Allah be praised! *Nothing or nobody exploded while the
viritor was within the stockade.
Relyonier. Inc. rlorida limes -union uov. 18, 1939 2.
The Aayosier parent company is one of the world's largest
producers of dissolving pulps, with mills at bhelton and
Tacoma, ,washiagton. The company also supervises the manufac-
ture and sale of dissolving pulps produced by Grays Aarbor rulp
and kaper uompany, and olympic korest kroducts uompany, with
mills located at Aoquiam and rort Angeles, washington,respectd.
Dissolving pulps are highly refined sulphite pulp sold
for use in the manufacturing of rayon yarn, cellophane, staple
fibre, and other cellulose products.
The new plant is known as a bleached sulphite mill and is
the first plant of commercial size designed for the manufacture
of pulp from southern woods by use of the sulphite process.
It is said to be the largest of its type in the world.
The sulphite proceos is distinguished from the kraft pro-
cess, universally used by all of the aouthern mills, by the use
of entirely afferent chemicals and pulp making equipment.