LOUISIANA OUTLOOK

lrgPgPlS from our state and the JI nation indicate sales are good to excellent in some areas; others are crying the blues.

We believe the national figures are somewhat exaggerated and that the same conditions will prevail until such time as the oil industry improves and begins to move. A positive attitude and strict control should be top priority.

Material prices are softening somewhat, thank goodness. A continued series of price increases would have killed any chance of an orderly and stable recovery. Most prices are negotiable and should be watched carefully. Using cost of goods instead of replacement cost as a price base is a good way to go broke.

The Louisiana State Housing Finance Authority has called for a meeting of lenders to discuss the feasibility ofa $100 million state wide, low interest bond issue. Will advise final results.

"DISCL./UMEk Thb cstimrte is dcdgpcd nldy to pmvide Oe C-ontrrctor/Custoncr witl e rough estinrte of thc rmut of mlcrid uscd in lhe given pmfect. Thc mrtcrid estinrte rill bc brscd upon celcuhtions or detr Pmvftlcd by tte Contnctor/Qtoncr ud such estimrtc lss[mcl' rmotr8 other lhlngg, normd rnd typlcd building end conrtruc{ion techniqucs. The rtud rmount of mrterid used nry vrry from llc mrterid cslimte duc to r nnber of fectors. Conrcquentll' NO REPRITIENTATION OR WAR. RANTY HAS BEEN MADE THAT THE ACTUAL AMOI.'NT OF MATERIAL USED WILL NOT VARY FROM TIiE EiTI. MATE.''

The above noted disclaimer language should appear in a promincot, conspicuous place on the written estimate. Merely placing a sign in the store will probably not suffice. Also, there can be no guarantee that a court or a jury would not find a dealer liable when the dealer was negligent in his calculation, irrespective of the disclaimer language. Check with your attorn€y for verification.