NNONTANA NtrWS

By R. V. PETERSEN executive secretary

n UESTIONNAIRES circulated to V MBMDA members during the early stage of the energy crisis did not reveal an apparent critical situation in thrs area.

Dealers, by consensus, agreed that gasoline was generally available as required and diesel fuel, which is not a general concern for dealers, likewise presented no significant problem. Butane and propane, both in limited use by dealers, offer but slightly more procurement problems. Electricity and gas seem largely to be available as required.

Even so, dealers indicate that they have voluntarily instituted energy conservation measures in their operations, such as reductions in lighting and heating, consolidation and curtailment of customer delivery services. Concomitant with this is a trend toward institution of delivery charges. Over all, the general attitude is one of watchful, concerned co-operation.

Meeting in its first off-year session under the new Montana constitution, the legislature seems bent on proving that legislation proliferates to fill available opportunity.

Todate, the legislative calendar has been crammed with at least as much legislative in-put as a year ago or an average from preceding bi-annual SESSIONS.

Oddments offered for consideration were two bills of particular concern to dealers. One of these would have materially shortened the present filing time for a materialman's lien while imposing a requirement for notification of the "in-

The timetable fbr disposition of the entire matter on the gypsum suit class action is: April 5, 1974All claims must be on record not later than April -5, 1974. May 6, 1974Individual settlement amounts will be determined and all participants will be notified.

May 17 ,1974- Any person objecting shall file through liaison counsel any objections to the amount of settlement proposed. May 28, 1974Direct the distribution of all settlement funds.

We have written on this subiect before. but for your reminder: tent to file a lien." Fortunately, the bill was headed off and disposed of in committee.

(l) Any company which purchased gypsum, plaster or lath between 1963 and 1967 is eligible to participate in the settlement.

(2) If you no longer have copies of invoices you may be able to secure them from the distributor/manufacturer with whom you did business.

(3) Your own attorney can help in filing your claim or if you wish you can secure assistance from attorney Robert Charette (for a fee, of course) who is specializing in this matter: Charette & Brown, P. O. Box 63, Aberdeen, Wa. 98520, (206) 532-r9ffi.

Imposition of drastically increased taxes upon heavy truck equipment was the purpose of another bill which would have had severe financial impact upon members using heavy truck equipment. This, too, was killed in committee.

A major remodeling of sales floor and showroom area is currentlv underwav at Affi liated Building Materials' Missoula store. The changes will make available additional stock and display space for more productive merchandising of expanded product lines. Manager Bill Bethke anticipates much better service to their home improvement customers.

New associate members include the following: Hamel Sanders and M. F. Smith, Southland Paint Co., Gainesville, Tx.; W. J. Bennett, OwensCorning Fiberglas Supply Division, Billings; Thomas V. Pretzl, Lumbermen's Underwriting Alliance, Missoula; Dean Saylor and Doug Dunn, Lorco Sales, Inc., Spokane, Wa. We are pleased to extend the handshake ofl welcome and thanks.