lmporters' Convention

WITH a total attendance at their ITth annual convention of nearly 300 and membership approaching 200, the Imported Hardwood Products Assn. has again set new records for itself in erowth.

Occurring against i market condition that could be described as confused, to say the least, the turnout is a tribute to the effectiveness and accomplishments IHPA has made in its rapid evolution from a small regional group to one of international scope.

Banker Richard S. Peterson began the speechifying with a charts and graphs type number that emphasized the balance of pavments situation in a talk ranging ovei the economic and fiscal situation in 1973.

Problems in the wood industry in various Asian nations were aired in the following panel discussion by T. Matsumoto, Japan, who told of Japan's desire to continue to do business with the U.S., still her largest customer. Renato Arevelo explained that the Philippines is selling new markets, breaking away from previous near total dependence on the U.S. market. Korea's Min Ha Cho told of their log cost problems and the beginnings of their trade with Japan. Sidney T. Tan plead for understanding of Taiwan's problems brought on by soaring costs for the logs they buy from Indonesia.

Plywood Assn. exec. vp. Bronson I-ewis crystal balled the coming years, feeling the long term will be good, the short term even better.

The afternoon customs seminar, Feb. 15, first day of the three day confab, heard articulate Morris Chayette, an import specialist, advise all to play it straight with U.S. Customs, noting that under their rules, you are guilty until proven innocent.

IHPA counsel Bill Sharp reprised Washington, D.C., news developments, noting guarded optimism that the disruptive Burke-Hartke bill could be defeated. He related hopes that the recent Nixon-Meany meetings will prove helpful in keeping labor"peace during this year of contract renewals, He said Congress must pass a bill giving power to Nixon to negotiate chanses in tariffs within the overall outline of G.A.T.T., which is to reduce tariffs generally.

Carl Chupack next told the audience that thi furniture industry considers imports hard to handle, due

I to ,,rpplv and price upheavals. The I o"u"tt irinsportition panel discussed, I among other things, break bulk shipping, Roll-On, Roll-Off ships and the , hopes that RORO vessels might mean I reduced shipping costs someday. EmI phasis on 'omight."

Next dav's session saluted the new officers, prlsident, Vic Kaplan; exec. vp., Ed Stamm; vp.Jogs & lumber, Fletcher Wall; vp.-plywood & veneer, Stuart Cosslett.

Story aI s Glonce

Record ottendonce, membership up in oll cotegories . . . currenl morket conditions, especiolly supply problems, dominote tolks next yeor's meeting moy be held on fhe Eost Coost.

Board of directors: Pocific Northroesf, Stuart Cosslett, Ed Stamm, Kit Draham, and Pat Kirwin. San Francrsco, Eric Wagner and Gunter Silmar. Los Angeles, Bill Suiter, Fred Geier and Johnny Osgood. Memphis, Tom Welsh, Fletcher Wall. High Point, J. H. Froelich. Dailns, Henry Fulcher. New Yorh, Vic Kaplann Sol Kaplan, Henry Dessauer and Frank Frampton. Houston, I,eo C. Blake.

John Ballo president of the U.S. Plywood div., Champion International, gave an impressive overview of the U.S. construction industry, noting re-emerging confidence, new household formations, age 25-34 population growth and other bullish factors. He sees mobile homes adding a-new dimension to the shelter industrv.

Leo C. Blake began ttre panel'discussion on "our industry" by observing the need for materials to function and hence the need for imports. Stuart Cosslett sees domestic prices for softwood plywood staying up till mid-year. Bill Suiter related the new structural values being set on hardwood plywood and the trend he sees to thicker panels. Tom Welsh gave an entertaining narration to some slides on the veneer business.

Roger Hanson then spoke on the general foreigrr trade situation and how previous factors affect the near term developments. Congressman Bob Wilson wrapped up the session telling of Capitol Hill efiorts to beat the Burke-Hartke bill.

GolI winners were: men's low gross, Fletcher Wall (as usual) ; lst low net, Frank Frampton; 2nd low net, Edward Anderson; 3rd low net, Falcon Hawkins. Golf honors for the ladies were shared bv Elsie Stamm and Kay Jennison.

0) Tom Y. Ebata. 18) Miriam Wolff. (9) Lou Massing, Ted Masaki, Jeff Whitehead. (10 Birger Wiresee,

H. Dean Wellington. (11) Jake Froelich, Tom Welsh. (12) The poolside luncheon. (13) Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Frankenfield. (14) Henry Dessauer. (15) Joe Stolzoff (read, John Bevon. (16) Lee Robinson, M. .1. Jesup. (lD Greg Frumkin, Henk Zwart. (10 C. A. Rousser, Jim Price, Herbert Maclea.