EDITORIAL

DAVID CUTLER publisher

Help stamp out ignorance

A ITTING on mv desk are about a dozen D copies otletteriand memos sent by people in the wood products industry to various members of the media. They range from calm and scholarly to highly incensed to knuckle biting mad. We applaud them all.

This kind of strong grass roots response to the mistakes of the media are just what we need to get the attention of the editors who control what we see, hear and read.

The media reflects what editors think. The so-called environmentalists long ago realized this and went to work to court the press and get the preservationist version of the truth presented. Our industry must do the same. lt doesn't matter.if we agree with a newspaper or television station's politics, we must get them to listen to our side of the story.

Today's media bias in many cases represents pure ignorance. They simply don't know any better. Editors run inaccurate stories because they are only aware of one side of the story.

The responsible press believes in objectivity and impartiality. Unfortunately, some of the biggest and most powerful of the media don't fall into this category. But even the biased can be influenced to some degree. The best journalists want to know both sides of the issue and welcome all the factual background they can get for a story.

llecause of the power of the press, in some cases it's more important to write to your newspaper or television station than to write to your congressman. Opinions on environmental issues are often locked in place by the media prior to the legislative process. By the time a legislator deals with an issue many minds are already set in concrete.

What a loss for the country if those opinions are based on misconceptions because no one tells the press that what they are presenting isn't right.

lf you don't know how to reach a member of the press, write to us. We'll get you their address so you can set them straight.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT, George Hovooros, pres.

Rick Hovooros, v.p.

Lee Roulin, soles

John Douglos, soles

P.O. box 2300

Foir Ooks. Co. 95628

(9r 6) 965-l r r 2

(800) 894-5878 Toll Free

FAX 91 6-965-0854

One of lhe nofion's lorgest wholesoles of quolity pine [r fir mouldings, fromes, jombs ond tirn-solid [r fingefoint Domestic [r lmported-{nduding thiry ruckloods of conrrolled poduction per monfi-mixed truckloods our speciolry

€T PRSO, TI. OFFIC€

TX (800) 493-0868

(9r s) 886-574r

FAX 91 5-886-3944

Steve Drongsholt ' flrnold Smith

lmproved Window Evaluations

A new computerized calculation method to determine 'U' and 'R' values for windows and patio doors called Window 3.1 has been adopted by the National Wood Window & Door Association.

The new method better represents actual thermal performance to aid energy-conscious consumers.

L-P Adds MiTek Wood Products

Louisiana-Pacific Corp. is acquiring MiTek Wood Products, Inc., a producer of laminated veneer lumber and l-beams marketed under the names of Gang-Lam and GNIBeam.

Manufacturing facilities in Wilmington, N.C., and administrative offices in Miami. Fl.. are included in the transaction.

L-P chairman and president Harry Merlo, emphasized, "We look forward to participating in the continued growth of this fine business. Their products will be an excellent complement to our expanding line of engineered wood products. I want to assure MiTek Wood Products' customers of our continued aggressive support."

Owl Set Aside Postponed

Neither environmentalists nor wood product companies felt they had achieved a victory with the delay to September of a final decision on setting aside timber land for the northern spotted owl.

Following the listing of the owl by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act June 22, the Bush administration offered a preliminary plan to save the owl and keep logging job losses to about 1,000. The five point plan announced by agriculture secretary Clayton Yeutter and interior secretary Manuel Lujan delayed a full proposal until Sept. l.

Yeutter is heading a task force to develop a comprehensive plan which will include a call for Congress to amend the Endangered Species Act. The proposed action will have minimal impact on the timber harvests for the rest of the year, according to Steve Paulson, Forest Service timber sales director.