THtr SOUTHLAND

By WAYNE GARDNER executive vice president

fN this first column of 1971 it seems - most appropriate to begin by wishing all the readers a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.

Uppermost in the minds of many is the effect of the new lumber standards on business. Are the new gades and sizes going to be acceptable to the various code jurisdictions? lVhat will customer reaction be to the new grades ? Will the liberalized allowance of manufacturing defects in the new grades cause the consumer to look at our product with a iaundiced eye ? What stud length is going to be most suitable for drywall applications...for plaster applications ? Will the appearance grade solve. the age-old problem of ttrose more often than not impossible specifications written up for selected exposed pieces? And the list could go on and on.

Granted, some of the problems and questions that can be foreseen are real, but others are imaginary problems that occur anytime a change takes place.

The association is constantly checking with the various building code

Western Building Material Association NEWS

By R0SS KINCAID executive vice president

f|UR68TH Annual Western Exposi- tion and Convention opens at the Hilton in Portland, Ore., Feb. 4-6. We have a great show again this year as well as a wonderful program. We look forward to seeing you all at the show!

Roger Baron of Olympia has been preparing himself since December 1 to ca.ll on members, reminding them of the many merchandising and management aids Western has for your help.

Dick Fidler has left his staff position with Western to operate his own business. Inquiries for Dick should continue to be made at WBMA headquarters where calls will be refened to him.

In addition to the two films now added by Owens-Corning Fiberglas, we are informed that the following manufacturers are each preparing a film for the network: U. S. Plywood, GeorgiaPacific, Morgan Adhesive and Masonite Corp.

Now it would appear it is up to those dealers who have been considering but holding up to order the VIP package, so we can indeed have a network backing these manufacturers and encouraging more.

Social Security taxes went up January 1 to 5.2%. This further reduces take home pay and your employees will want to know about it not to mention the addition to the company's operating expense.

Welcome new regular members: Corvallis Cabinet and Supply, Corval- jurisdictions, to determine their acceptance of the new lumber grades and sizes, as well as constantly working to develop more uniformity and broader usage of all grades and species of lumber. Much of this information will be disseminated to members through bulletins and meetings. To get the latest information, a member need but call the association. lis, Ore.; Madison Hardware, Inc., Ketchikan, Alaska; and Suitet's Building Supply, Tri City, Myrtle Creek, Ore.

Another major problem in the lumber and building materials field has been training and upgrading of personnel. At our Palm Springs Management Conference, (See page 10 of this issue) a new training program was introduced. The first students are now being enrolled and will complete the course in two to thri:e months. Students will reeeive instruction in the various product lines carried by the average tbuilding materials dealer. Their retention will be evaluated through professionally designed examinations, to allow them and their employer to gauge their improvement.

And associate members: Best-Way Structures, Inc., Spokane, Wash.; Craftsman Cabinets, Inc., Medford, Ore.; Dick Fidler, Olympia, Wash.; Fred S. James & Co., Seattle, Wash.; aDd Woodfold-Marcb Manufacturing Co., Forest Grove, Ore.

The following have signed up for the post convention tour and management conference at Costa Del Sol, Spain, February 13 to March 2: Eleanor Black, Jeanne Headrick, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Beil, Philip BoWman, Robert Bush, Joe Campero, Al Disdero, Henry J. Douda, Victor Druzianich and Saran, Philip E,ichholtz, Bruce Gascoigne, Vern E,. Greer.

Mr. and Mrs. Al Hallstrom, James E. Hayes, Robert Higgins, Ansel Hyland, Tony Kalez, Curtiss Kehoe, Carl Knoll, Hector LaChance, Arthur Lundgren, Ra;rmond Morgan, Roy Oman.

Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Parker, Bill Seharpf, Lloyd Scott, Robert, Slette'. dahl, Richard Stoufrer, Lee Withers, Charles Young and Ross Kincaid.

Uhplesale TIMBERS lohbins

Douglos Fir in sizes 24" x 24' o Ploner copocity for surfocing to 24' x 24" o Re-Mfg. focilities for resowing to 34' x 34" - tFq' lf we con't find it . . we'll moke it