EDITOR[AL

A Chqnce for the Good Guys

IESPITE the usual impression to the contrary, u not all proposed legislation regarding lumber and building materials sales and distribution is of the kind that is likely to cause problems and declining sales.

A bill introduced in the House of Representatives in this session would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to allow a $1,000 income tax deduction for expenses incurred by a tax. payer who makes repairs and improvements to his home.

If passed into law, we think it could have a sizeable efiect in spurring the public's already active interest in home improvement.

Introduced by Rep. Seymour Halpern, who represents part o{ Queens County in New York, HR 802 would allow for "the repair or improvement (including painting, papering, carpentry work, plumbing, electrical work, roofing and glazing, and similar items) of property as used by the taxpayer as his principal residence." The deduction would not exceed $1,000 for any taxable year.

Among western groups that have taken an active interest in drumming up grass roots sup- port for HR 802, now before the House Ways and Means Committee, is the Western Building Material Association, based in Olympia, Washington. In addition to plugging it in their bulletin, WBMA has included a copy of the bill and a petition, addressed to Rep. Halpern, with provision for names and addresses.

A similar bill has been introduced by Rep. Casey of Texas which would allow a $750 tax deduction for repair and improvement. It differs from Halpern's bill in that it provides for a five year amortization of the cost of rehabilitating rental housing. More than 100 House members are co-sponsors of the measure.

These types of bills have appeared before and have met opposition mainly from the Treasury Department which {eels they will cut ofi a government revenue source. Rep. Casey argues that its result will be more jobs and increased sales of lumber and building materials.

It is not likely that either of these bills will be passed into law unless public sentiment at the voter level can be marshalled for t}eir support. Either of these new laws as now proposed would be a welcome stimulus to sales and distribution of lumber and building materials at all levels.