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executlve vlce presldent

UR GOOD friends at the Oklahoma Lumbermen's Association have warned us that a very professional and extremely smart operation has cost Oklahoma lumber dealers approximately $l million.

The two primary figures in the operation are alleged to be using the names of Billy Oliver Sr. and Billy Oliver Jr. In several instances, the firm name of B & B Builders with a business address of Box 202, Jennings, Ok., has been used, it is said. They also are said to use a late model Ford, l-ton, 2 door diesel pickup, black with red pin striping. Occasionally, they have been reportd pulling a goose neck trailer with an older model Chevrolet twoton flat bed truck.

The method of operation is to establish credit with a firm then when a substantially large bill has been run up, they simply disappear. A felony warrant for the arrest of these suspects has been issued by the Pawnee County sheriff whose telephone number is (918) 762-319. next month. Expo '85 under the chairmanship of Gerry Weltzheimer and Floyd Burton promised to be the biggest and b€st in 39 years as this column was written. Exhibil spaces had been reserved by 123 exhibitors. HOME CENTER

It is betieved that the suspects iue operating in Texas and Louisiana, according to OLA.

A basic construction materials takeoff workshop has been scheduled for Sept. 25-27 at the Midland Hilton Hotel, Midland.

The workshop will consist of 2O hours of intensive instruction and discussion. concentrating on blueprint reading, construction details, quantity estimating and actual material takeoffs. This is a fundamental workshop for new employees. The course is not for the knowledgeable trained estimator.

1f, N TMPORTANT pieceof protective rlegislation for material suppliers has been enacted into law. Signed by the Governor of Oklahoma on June Z it became effective immediately, according to a recent report by the Joint Legislative Action Committee.

Senate Bill l3l imposes criminal penalties for the misappropriation of construction loan funds to uses other than the construction project for which they were intended. OLA legal counsel is currently drafting a definitive explanation of the new law. His report will provide examples of how the new law may be used in conjunction with current law to improve security interests. His report will be distributed ro stare lumber dealers who should immediately discuss it with their own attorneys.

The industry is indebted to Warren Pixley, Pixley Lumber Co., Claremore, for initiating action last year to ger this bill passed. At his own expense, he had his attorney draft preliminary language for the bill. He then persuaded his State Senator Stratton Thylor to sponsor it through the legislative process.

A full report on the OLA convention in Oklahoma City, Aug. lGl8, will be given l('rnttittuatl lrom pagt 2 0) an operations manager-you'll find the store covered with negative signing such as:

..DO NOT ENTER''

..YOU BREAK IT - YOU OWN IT''

..NO CHECKS CASHED UNLESS .''

..NO DELIVERIES''

..ALL SALES FINAU'

. and the rest of the copy that shouts "Be afraid to shop here."

Turn responsibility over to the advertising and sales promotion people. They'll turn lemons into lemonade!