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By R0SS KINCAID executive vice president

THE government control ma^ chinery has responded to the pressure of builders and other wood product users to "do something" about rising lumber prices.

The action of the Cost of Living Council, in efrect, places the blame for higher prices on small manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, Reports on press coverage in some areas of the country indicate the retailer is being blamed to a great extent.

We are shocked that the g'overnment officials have returned retailers to controls in their ruling which sweeps under the rug the real reasons for the increase in prices. A study of the wholesale or mill market prices clearly shows that the retail segment is not responsible for the main thrust of the recent increases.

You will recall that in 1969 the prices of plywood and lumber fell drastically in a two-week period following the Congressional investigation.

The IIMBA execr4tive committee was particularly impreased with the results of President Bert Kinzig's five hundred (500!) calls on member and non member firms so far during his r6gime. This strong field effort was largely responsible for the net increase in membership of 23 firms this year. Quite a record, Bert!