GBADTI\tG SEMTITAB

method of contact is the telephone. But the Congressman, too frequently, is not on the receiving end of the phone call. His office staff is and even then the contact is for the fleeting moment.

Lacking opportunity for personal contact, the written communication becomes the more effective, on-therecord method, a method used too infrequently these days; but a practice that should be greatly expanded. To that end, here are suggestions for more effective presentations : Identify yourself clearly. Avoid form letters-use your own words and ideas. Be reasonable and positive, not threatening. Demonstrate knowledge of the matter is pending in committee, not after committee action. Don't ask the impossible. Show appreciation when you approve his voting stance.

But first and foremost - let him hear from you.

campaigns to let the government know how we feel.

This doesn't mean writing letters, necessarily. There are other ways to communicate - some people find sending a tersely worded telegram works better for them - or a phone call. The best contacts, of course, are with officials who know you, the best way to get known is to communicate with them from time to time.

One of the easiest ways I can think of to communicate is to simply call their office, identify yourself and state your brief message.'Believe me the message wiJl get through.

You don't have to call Washington D. C. to leave a message for your Senators and Representatives, they all have an office in their home state, look in the phone book under United States Government.

Of course. the association office is always ready and willing to help you with information about the issues, assistance in wording your message, or whatever. That's what members can expect from the association staff.

4 p.-.-B p.-. $2 per person

THE Consumer Products Safety

I Commission has issued a ban on the-sale of Patching Compounds and Artificial Emberizing Materials. Effective dates of the ban vary, so read the following carefully:

The Consumer Patching Compoundscontaining intentionally added respirable free-form asbestos which have been manufactured or initially introduced into commerce after January 16, 1978, are banned hazardous products.

In addition, all such compounds, no matter when manufactured or initially introduced into commerce, are banned hazardous products after June 11, 1978. In other words, you have until June I l, 1978 to get all such compounds you may have received prior to January 16, 1978 off your shelves.

By definition the compounds under this ban are "consumer patching compounds used to join or repair interior walls and ceilings, (mixing of the product before it is applied, sanding of the product after it is dried, and cleanup after completion of the process, release asbestos fibers that can be inhaled)." Patching compounds which are labeled as, and sold solelv for industrial use in non-consumer environments are not subject to the ban.

However, the ban does apply to such compounds if they are used in residences, schools, hospitals, public buildings, or other areas where consumers have customary access.

Artificial emberizing materials (embers and ash): These products containing respirable free-form asbestos were banned effective December r5, l9't7.

Plywood class action litigation update: You probably received a legal-sized, fine-print sheet recently from the U. S. District Court in Louisiana titled "Notice of Proposed Additional Partial Settlement. " affects our business. The members of the panel will discuss the how, why and importance of the legislative process and membership involvement.

The question has been asked, "What action do we take?" The answer: None, unless you prefer to individually object as a single plain- tiff. Remember, this is a "counter proposal" offered to the court as a possible solution to this case that is currently scheduled to come up on the docket in October, 1978.

FRANK DAVIS executive vice president

f|Un57th Annual Convenrion, VMay 18-20, is being held at the Doubletree Inn, Tucson, Az.

1'he Saturday morning business session, May 20, will offer a panel discussion entitled, "The Legislative Process: An Association Member Responsibil- ity." Panel members will include: Joe Hobson, staff v.p., NLBMDA, Washington, D. C.; Ed Wren, v.p.-public relations, Southwest Forest Industries, Phoenix; Jim Young, assistant to the president, Kaibab Industries, Phoenix; Harry Mendenhall, exec. v.p., Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California. San Jose. California. The moderator is yours truly.

As executive vice president, I urge every member to be present for that part of our program. We encourage you to take part in the entire convention but if that is not possible a priority should be the panel discussion on Saturday morning. Why?

Recently I attended ameeting where two United States Senators stated in their brief remarks to the audience that the Free Enterprise System was at the brink of losing its effectiveness, if we as businessmen do not get more involved in the legislative process at both the federal and state level of our government. If we do not, the Free Enterprise System will be jeopardized and placed in a secondary role in legislation that

NLBMDA follows every bill and regulation that affects our members at the federal level. In turn, the national office communicates with the federated associations in order that the executive v.p. can communicate to the members as to when they should call or write their respective Congressmen about those bills.

At the state level the same process is followed except the executive v.p. directly studies bills that affect the members, testifies at hearings, contacts State Senators and Representatives and then asks his members to write or call their respective legislators to defeat or pass a bill.

It could mean our survival as we do business in the Free Enterprise System today. We will be in business, but to what extent are we going to be regulated?

See you at the convention May l8-20, in Tucson.

HARRY MENDENHALL executive vice president

ALIFORNIA dealers are reacting to the rising tide of legislation from the federal and state governments. This past year has witnessed increasing concern by association members over regulations creating additional costs to business and further controlling the private enterprise system.

An ever greater number of dealers are sending us copies of letters they have mailed to federal and state lawmakers objecting to the senseless regulations being issued by those agencies insistent upon absolute control of the state and nation.

At an estimated 1.5 billion dollar cost the US Senate passed a bill adding 48,000 acres to Redwood National Park. We all know what a ridiculous move this was. There was no support for defeat of the legislation outside of the Western area. It had direct impact on only a few residents and one county. To many Eastern legislators it was assumed that the redwood park is similar to Grand Central Park or the Brooklyn Zoo. This is a definite lack of nation wide business unification on bills of this type.

Of course, we on the West coast were not overly concerned about the railroad reorganization act which closed down several marginally profitable lines to small Eastern communities. In many of these communities the rail line was their only means of freight delivery and many retail lumber and building material dealers had to purchase rolling stock to travel to railheads 3040 miles away to offload their rail cars of lumber. It didn't have direct impact on us so we did not react.

It is gratifying to see the interest being generated by dealers in state and federal regulatory issues. We are at the point now that if you are not involved you are in the minority and you don't particularly care which level of government slaps you in the face.

There are undertones of dissatisfaction and unrest in the consumer groups. This may be the answer to our business prayers. The Jarvis-Gann tax initiative is a clear indication that the taxpayer-consumer is telling the state government that they have had enough. If the initiative passes in the June election it means that the taxpayer is telling government here is your income for the year, now live within it.

Other trends are developing, that you may keep your eyes upon, that indicate the pendulum is swinging. The Common Situs Picketing Bill was defeated because many in the labor force objected to being out of work because another union had a grievance and was striking the construction site. The Consumer Protective Agency Bilt met a sound defeat because many consumers said we can't afford another super agency to tell us what we need.

We can ride the coat tails of this new movement. We can help educate the consumer to make him more irritated at what government is doing for him. We can take the needed time to write our Congressmen and we can encourage our employees to join with us in this new movement.

"How would you like to be eaten alive by bugs? Support mercy killing of old trees! A noble giant of the forest. ruler of his domain for several hundred years deserves a more honorable death than to be eaten alive by insects!

"And you sawmills can go a step further and give these proud trees a dignified memorial service by selling the clear lumber to us. We will make mouldings and door jambs from the lumber which will be sent to the Deep South where they love to apply a natural finish rather than hide the beauty of the grain with (ugh) paint.

"Really now, does a 300 year old tree deserve to be converted to plywood and be covered by a rug and walked on? Or be covered with vinyl and be put on a wall, made to look like ash or fruity pecan?

"We will treat your trees with the reverence and respecr that they deserve."