nPEU ll 0I,SE

(7) 'tJimmie" and Seth Potter. (8) Bill Helbron, Don Derbes. (9) George Cudworlh, John Kelly, Tim Knox. (10) Bob Humphrey, Pete Speek. (11) Hugo Miller, Gene Burnett. (12) John Lipani, Don Comstock, Jack

Berutich, Vince Cunningham. (13) Mrs. Frank Stanger, Mr. and N/rs. Stan Cochran. (14) Dave Willis, Harry Selling, lsabel and Frank Moloney. (15) Doug Maple, Tom Mabin. (16) Bill Temple, Larry Baugh, Sid Chattler, Jim Conomikes. (17) Frank Stanger. (18) George and Mary Clough, Murray Marsh. (19) Ed Fountain, Jr., Bob Abbott.

Housing starts really did a number in Nov. (latest figs.) starts colf apsed lo an 8 year low and permits for future construction slid to an all-time low . , . on a seasonally adjusted annual basis, starts were at the 990,000 level, down 10.57o from Oct. and 4A.9Va below the year-earlier mark.

Bright spot in the national figures was the West as the only area in the U.S. where bldg. permits did not decline .... chief economist for the N'tl. Assn. of Home Builders now says even a gradual upturn won't come until the 2nd quarter....

The changes needed to produce a turnaround, eventually, appeor to be occuring; s&ls report a continuing inflow of $$ that can eventually go into home mortgages, mortgage interest rates are beginning to slip back down and home sales are slowly, painfully, beginning to pick up the Anaheim/Santa Anaf Garden Grove area in California's Orange County nosed out Chicago in the 3rd quarter as the U.S.'s leading housing area....

F.W. Dodge Div., McGrawHill lnformation Systems Co., says the decline in construction contracts may mean that nonresidential construction is heading down, following the nosedive of the housing market despite 3rd quarter business conditions, they report that bldg. products mfgrs. show q sharp rise in .sales and profits; "an illusion .. . created by the heat of inflation".

Consuttrcr confidence is at a record low, according to the U. of Michigan, a leader in consumer studies; their top economist declares that "the present combi. nation of very deep consumer pessimism and the decline in real income might make for a severe recession". .

The proposed acquisition by Fibreboard Corp. of Yuba River Lumber Co. and Brunswick Timber Products which resulted in a Fibreboard stockholder suit against the company, has been called o.ff by mutual agreement: present market conditions were publically blamed for the decision.

Chandler Lumber Co. has opened a beautiful new home center in Van Nuys .... Fisher Lumber, Santa Monica, hopes to open theirs by April .... Ben Wise has formed Wise Hardware, No. Hollywoodn Ca. .. Roseburg Lumber is adding a new sawmill and planer at Jordan Point, near North Bend, Or.

Barnett Pactfir, Inc., Tacoma, Wa., is a new U.S. subsidiary of Barnett Lumber Industries, Vancouver, B.C. Champion International's U.S. Pl3twood div. has opened a new distribution branch, Beavelton, Or. Champion plans to relocate about 210 Eugene, Or. employees into one central office; they had been in 5 separate locations.

A Sl.3 million modernization program (5 new kilns, stacker etc.) is in progress at Charnpion's McCloud, Ca., mill, biggest of their Western operations Kalez Kash 'N Carry, Eugene, has been sold to David Hammer, whose father David owns Hammer Lumber Co., Eugene Powell Lumber, Powell. Wy., had an open house to show off its new remodelled and expanded facilities....

Johns-Mansville, Denver, has sold its "Melamite" plastics business to Pioneer Plastics Corp., Auburn, Me., for an undisclosed amount of cash . industry sales of microwave ovens were up 70Voin the lst l0 mos. of '74....

OSHA has dropped consideration of a plan to decrease the permissable noise exposure Iimit for an 8-hr. work day in all industry to 85dBA (decibels, Ascale) from 90 dBA

NAWLA's hardwood committee is seeking to expand its wholesaler members' slice of the action in the grorying business of hardwood distribution.

Evans Products got an OK from its major lenders for more tinre an some of its current loans; the cash-short Portland firm said it needed the $$ to meet varied obligations the National Hame Improvement Council has dropped its eaglefhouse logo for a ncw one which represents the outline of a house....

Willows Lumber, PuyalluP, Wa., recently celebrated its 25th anniversary .... Gotdblatt Tool Ca. is now into its glst year Armstrong Corlr has ceased all production on all its linoleum lines after 65 years in productron. . .

The Wesrern Buitding Material Dealer.r Assn. is preparing for Feb. hearings that will discuss changes to California's lien laws Johns-Manville annual sales have topped the biltion clollar nmrk for the lst time.

MacBeath Lumber has remodelled its hq. offices in San Francisco; lots of beautiful teak paneling, trim and other hardwood goodies in evidence .... Fibreboard is finishing construction of its $10 million Rccklin, Ca., medium density fibreboard plant, which is 20S,0&) sq. ft., and will employ 130.

Two Million Starts by'76?

Conventional housing starts in the United States may approach two million a year once more by 1976, NFPA chairman Alfred X. Baxter said in a speech to the National Sash and boor Jobbers Assn. annual meeting in San Francisco.

Baxter noted the efforts of the forest and homebuilding industries and their allies to bring home to federal officials the facts in the crisis in housing had borne results with enactment of the Home Purchase Assistance Act of 1974.

Under this legislation, g3 billion is being made available over the next several months for mortgages at below-market interest rates. This will provide sufficient funds for about 100,000 mortgages - "not a great total, but it's a start"Baxter said. He warned that a significant recovery in new home construction cannot be expected until the current backlog of430,000 new but unsold homes on the market is reduced substantially.

"Perhaps by the second half of 1975, when inflation rates are expected to start declining faster and federal programs are beginning to bite, recovery of lumber and wood product markets will begin to accelerate," he said.

GOLDEN SHOVEL in hand, Anna Higman breaks ground with sons Dan (left) and Jerry for their new million dollar, 91/z acre, Reliable Wholesale Lumber Co. distribution yard. Planned to open next spring, the Huntington Beach, Ca., yard will carry an 8 million foot inventory under pole sheds, with a mill, a 4,200 sq. ft. office and a truck maintenance facility for their 7 truck and trailers. The lirm also has a retail store in Rosemead and a distribution yard in Temple City.

Acquisition of land, planning and construction are being handled by ICR Corp. ol Pasadena, James Thompson, president.

JANUARY

Lumber Merchants Assn. of Northern California - Jan. 12-14. manas,ement seminar. Asilomar, Pacific Grove, Ca.

Los Ang6les Hoo-Hoo-Ette Club - Jan. 13, meeting (place to be announced).

San Francisco Hoo-Hoo Club - Jan. 15, meeting. The Storyboard Restaurant, San Francisco.

Sacramento Hoo-Hoo Club - Jan. 18, Monte Carlo Nite, Eneineer's CIub. Elk's Buildine. Sacramento.

Westein Building Material Assn. - Jan l9-21, top management seminar, Sea-Tac Motor Inn, Seattle.

80th California Gift Show - Jan. 19-24, Biltmore Hotel, Convention & Exhibit Center, Merchandise Mart, Los Angeles.

W.O.O.D., Inc. - Jan. 22, A.I.T.C. architectural seminar (place to be announced).

San Francisco Hoo-Hoo Club - Jan. 28, Concat, (place to be announced).

FEBRUARY

Orange County Hoo-Hoo Club - Feb. 6, meeting, Mile Square Country Club, Fountain Valley, Ca.

West- Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau - Feb. 8, annual meetins. Benson Hotel, Portland.

Los Angeies Hoo-Hoo-Ette Club - Feb. l0 meeting, (place to be announced).

Western Wood Moulding & Millwork Producers - Feb. 1215, meeting, Hotel del Coronado, San D,iego, Ca.

LosAngeles Hardwood Lumbermen's Club - Feb. 13, meeting, Stevens Steak House, City of Commetce.

Rogue Valiey Hoo-Hoo Club - Feb. 15, Valentine Party (Ladies Nite) Mon Desir, Central Point, Or.

National Hoo-Hoo-Ette Clubs - Feb. 15, Board Meeting, 9:30 A.M., The Hyatt Airport Hotel, Inglewood, Ca.

San Francisco Hoo-Hoo Club - Feb. 19, meeting. The Storyboard Restaurant.

Sacramento Hoo-Hoo Club, Feb. 22, dinner dance, Engineer's Club, Elk's Building, Sacramento.

74th Annual Calif'ornia Retail Firdware Assn. - Feb. 2325, convention, TowneHouse Hotel, San Francisco.

26th Annual Western States Hardware'Housewares-Paint & Garden Supply Show - Feb. 23-25, Brooks Hall, Civic Center, San Francisco.

March

6lst Denver Gift & Jewelry Show - March 2-5, Denver Merchandise Mart & Expo Bldg., Denver.

Western Wood Products Assn. - March 4-7, spring meeting, St. Francis Hotel. San Francisco.

Rogue Valley Hoo-Hoo Club - March 5, Past President's Nite. Roeire Vallev Countrv Club, Medford, Or.

Orange'Cointy Hoo-Hoo Club - March 6, meeting, Mile Square Country Club, Fountain Valley, Ca.

Los Angeles Hoo-Hoo-Ette Club - March 10, meeting, (place to be announced).

Los'Anseles Hardwood Lumbermen's Club - March 13, meeti-ng, Stevens Steak House, City of Commerce.

Sacramen[o Hoo-Hoo Club - March 18, Mill Manager's Nite. (mill managers free) Engineer's Club, Sacramento.

Pacific Coast Wholesale Hardwood Distributors Assn.March 23-26, annual convention, La Costa Country Club, near San Diego.

Northwest Hardwood Meet

"Better Quality Means Better hofits" themed the 19th annual meeting of the Northwest Hardwood Assn.. held recentlv in San Francisco.

The association has been actively pushing quality control in recent years and reports that more producing mills and remanufacturer members are now grade stamping their lumber under the super- visory service of the Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau, according to Harry D. Smith, NHA secretary-manager.

Ralph K. Peter, U.S. Forest Service, described a computer program developed for softwood mills that is now being adapted for hardwood production and is expected to be ready for Northwest mills during 1975.

The program, moderated by Jack Higgins, v.p., J.E. Higgins Lumber Co., San Francisco, also included Joe Mulcahey on "The Many Ways of Making Wood Chips;" James Tempelis, "Abrasive Planing;" William A. Dost, "Problems of Noise Pollution;" and William T. Leonard on "Building Prospects."

Re-elected for another term: president, Reg Justus, North Pacific Lumber Co., Portland; 1st V.p., A. Bremner, Jr., Export Pacific, Inc., Tacoma; 2nd v.p., Eugene M. Nist, Tacoma Box & Lumber Co., Tacoma.

Directors are Paul A. Barber and Milan A. Michie. They succeed R.E. Lambert, Jack Rose. and Stan E. Sherwood.

ment units to be constructed during 1974 were furnished with fireplaces.

Fireplace-furnished apartments not only rent m6re easily but they produce an average additional income of $18 per month, according to the survey. Builders indicate that the average cost of an installed fireplace (including masonry and factory-built construction) is $780. A Heatilator fireplace, for example, can be installed for about half this cost, an amount quickly amortized by the additional rental income and high occupancy rate of units with fireplaces.

The survey shows a trend towards more wood-burning fireplaces, as indicating that woodburning fireplaces will be installed in 57(/b of new units planned or under construction versus ISVo f.or electric and 30% for gas burning fireplaces.

The energy crisis is believed partially responsible for the demand for heat-producing, rather than decorative, fireplaces.

Fireplace Market Heats Up

Fireplaces help rent apartments so builders are responding by installing more of them, according to a survey of builders/developers conducted by Heatilator Fireplace Div. of Vega Industries.

Questioned at Chicago's McCormick Place, more than 8390 of the builders/developers indicated fireplaces are a highly desirable amenity. Compared with prior years, they indicate demand is increasing and that 45% of theapart-

Wellern Lumber and Bulldlng Materials MERCHANT state's monopoly on workmen's compensatilon by sending in checks to support Workmen's Compensation Advisors' all-out push this year for a 3-way competitive legislative action. Have you overlooked adding your much-neeCed support? This is the time.

By ROSS KINCAID executive directrcr

At our recently concluded annual convention in Portland, WBMA elected E.P. "Woody" Railey, general manager of Schrapf's Twin Oaks Builders Supply, Albany and Eugene, Or., as our new president.

"Woody" has served WBMA in many capacitips; major standing committees including the executive committee, the board of directors and the last two years as v.p. These industry activities. added to his business administration experience, qualify him well to head up this five state regional trade association.

Members will be seeing Woody during this coming year since he vigorously supports the busy 1975 WBMA calendar established by the board of directors.

Having participated personally in Western programs in the 19 Years at Scharpf's Twin Oaks Builders Supply, he understands that member involvement is what makes WBMA beneficial to both member firms and the person.

In accepting ttle 197 5 mantle of leadership, he asked that board members and general membership alike give him plenty of cooperation in making this coming year one of real accomplishments. Knowing Woody he will get that kind of help.

The Building Material Marketing Course No. 4 will be on Jar..27-29, 1975 at WBMA's Learning Resource Center. This is the 3-daYs a month (total 6 months) on-the-job/job-related training program that offers a separate section each month.

Students can enroll for the entire six months or any monthly section.

A Top Management Seminar cosponsored by WBMA and Armstrong Cork will be presented at the SeaTac Motor Inn between Seattle and Tacoma on January 19-21, 1975.

It begins on SundaY evening and ends at noon on Tuesday. Attendance will be limited to the first 50 registrants.

So far, nine members have signified their desire to put an end to the

Several WBMA members agree that it pays to read bulletins and then. . actl We are advised by attorneY Bob Charette that the over 70 firms with whom he was working will receive a total of $84,000, half of which is to be paid right away with the balance in 90 days. One member has reported a "windfall" of $27.500. ."worthwhile to go to all the work of filing a claim."

Several members have been asking if there will be a tour in 1975 and if so, where? At the last annual meeting of Exploraires, interest was expressed in Greece and Yugoslavia. Bill Berlin is now in those countries making a personal check on such a proposed tour, the political situation, etc. We will know soon if the trip would be recommended and if so. an announcement will be made soon for a March combination of tour and management conference. So far. the advance material looks great!

It is a good time to do some checking-up and planning for a more successful 1975. lt seems to me that Don Campbell, exec. v.P., KentuckY Retail Lumber Dealers Assn. has some eood advice in his recent "Business -Mews, " which is quoted directly: It is almost a certaintY that the cost of doing business will rise in 1975. Some materials are showing a price weakness but overall costs will be higher. Wages, fringe benefits, maintenance costs, general overhead, interest charges, all will take their bite out of profit margins. The battle for profits will not be easy. You must start planning now to take steps that will at least partially offset this increase that is sure to develop:

Carefully check every item of expense. Eliminate deadwood, cut out waste, look for expense leaks in operating and maintenance supplies. Take another look at Your sales force. Check your salesmen's Performance against the industry average and reassess your compensation plan if you are paying them on a percentage of gross sales.

Look over your entire inventorYdrop the items which do not sell. See if there are some lines which could stand a price increase and still be competitive. AdoPt compensatory pricing and use a markuP based on the rate of turnover. Reassess your methods of buYing to take advantage of quantitY allowances, anticipate discounts, etc. Study carefully your method of handling, unloading and warehousing.

Profit is not the result of what you add to the cost of the goods you buy. Profit is what is left after you have paid for everYthing.