Sun shines on LMA's 44th annual

By Harry Mendenhall Executive v.p. Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California

THREATENING, snow laden

I clouds scraped their undersides along the rugged peaks of the Sierra Mountains as they floated on the Easternly wind currents. Following day upon day of rains at the lower elevations and record snowfall at the upper elevations it was natural to expect that bad weather would have a serious impact on the Lumber Merchants Association's 44th annual convention to be held in Sparks, Nv., at the Nugget Hotel.

Fate smiled upon the association and the clouds dissipated, turning into the warmth of sunshine that was not present on the western slopes. As convention goers began to assemble at the Nugget on Saturday, May 14, the anticipated bad weather was nowhere to be seen. After an unusually long period of heavy rains it was a welcome relief to bask in the warm sunshine of a May day in Nevada.

Attendance at the meeting was lighter than had been anticipated. Possibly the three previous years of recession drained company expense accounts to a point where owners could not chance spending funds for a convention, or perhaps the Promise of increasing business kept them home since staffs have been reduced and a sudden spurt in business meant everyone waited on counter, including the boss, or perhaps it was the location that did not excite members to attend.

Regardless of the reasons for not attendiug, those that did attend found that they had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

The activities began on Sunday with the Dangerous Divot Diggers

Story at a Glance

Associalion briefed on leglsla. llon, economics and the natlonal vlew . . . Brand glves HUD updato Patterson elected pres.

golf tournament at the beautiful and luxurious Lakeridge Golf Course in Reno.

Many changes in legislation have occurred during the past year. The State Worker's Compensation Laws were reformed. The original intent of the reform was to bring a reasonable semblance of equity into the laws. Instead of a program that promotes staying off the job because it is lucrative, the amendments were intended to tighten up proof of injury. Instead, the amendments by liberal

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C0NVENTI0N highlights: Robert Patterson Jr. (top left) presents gift to outgoing pres. Merle Mensinger. Galloping Gauchos ol Hayward Lumber Co. (top right, lefl lo righl) Homer Hayward, Howard Graulich, Don Allen, Ed Shive, Joe DeLappe, Neil Keefer. Dancers (lower left) Jerry and Joyce DeCou, Bud and Gladys Spencer. (Lower right) Frank Jason, Paramino Lumber Co., receives the Hobbs Wall Lumber Co. perpetual trophy for highest gross golf score from Clvde Strouss. Fairlax Lumber Co,