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VOLUME 67, No. 9

Redwood Special

Serving

Edltor-Publlsher David Cutler

Senior Editor Juanita Lovret

Assistant Edltor David Koenig

Contributlng Edltors Dwight Curran, Gage McKinney, Ken Thim

Art Director Martha Emery

Staff Artlst Carmen Wollerman

Circuletion Lynnette A. Perkins

The Merchant Magazine (USPS 79656000) is published monthly at 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660, phone (714) 852-1990, by The Merchant Magazine, Inc. Second-class postage rates paid at Newport Beach, Ca., and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beac[, Ca. 92660.

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From all states east of the Rocky Mountains: Contact Jean Waggoner Gogerty, national sales manager. From Arizona, Nevada and California: Contact David Cutler. Both may be reached at (714) 852-1990 or by writing 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

From Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Northern California and Canada: Conlact Carole Holm at (206) 774-3'113 or 21819 77th Place West, Edmonds, wa. 98020.

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Subscription Rates-U.S.: $l l-one year; $17-two years; $22-three years. Foreign: one year payable in advance in U.S. funds-Canada or Mexico: air-$35; surface-$30; South America: air-$55; surfac+ $30; Asia: air-$68; surface-$3O; Europe: air-$98; surface-$30. Single copies-$3; back copies-$4.50 when available plus shipping & handling.

The Merchant Magazine is an independently owned publication for the retail, wholesale and distribution levels ofthe lumber and home center markets in 13 western states.

DAVID CUTLER editor-publisher EDITORIAL

The downward path of housing

T HIS MONTH the National Association of I Home Builders begins a major Congressional lobbying effort seeking government assistance for housing via direct subsidies and financial arrangements to make purchasing a home easier. Given NAHB's track record with the Congress some success is likely. What happens will also have a direct impact upon those of you who supply the nation's home builders.

It is distressing indeed to trace the downward path of housing since 1978 when starts were just over two million. Noting in the chart below that this year's estimate is 1.3 million starts, it seems obvious that America's housing short fall is no illusion.

The NAHB rallying cry this year is "Where will our children live?" lt is a good question. Of the nearly 59 million Americans who are in, or will be entering, their prime home buying ages during the next four years, fewer than half can expect to become home owners. lt is exactly this imbalance that NAHB seeks to redress through political action and the ingenuity of its members in the marketplace.

Builders are often important customers for the retailers, wholesalers and distributors who read this magazine. lt makes sense that we all monitor these developments for their likely impact upon business.

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