C.

ing aspects, through current market conditions in the West and Midwest to a look at how the story on pressure treated wood is being told to consumers and industry. Craig Larsen, a member of the WWPA field staff, described pressure treating as the

"silver lining to the dark cloud hanging over the industry."

According to assistant secretary of Housing and Urban Development, G. Hunter "Pete" Bowers, who spoke at the annual Industry Luncheon, "There is a knowledgeable, concerned, caring, organized and working effort (in the Reagan administration) to respond to the terrible times facing the Western lumber industry. "

Bowers highlighted some of the ways the administration is attempting or has helped housing, including the freeing of pension fund money to be invested in mortgages and recognizing the need to develop strong secondary market sources for conventional mortgage lending. Bowers also cited efforts to reduce the cost of housing through the clearing of government red tape.

While the message f rom Washington was reassuring, the association's board of directors strongly urged the administration to provide a temporary stimulus to help housing production, while doing so with a minimum budgetary impact.