NORTHWEST NEWS

By ROSS KINCAID executive vice president

f\ONGRESS IS coming up short of the action it could and should take in this session to hold down deficit spending where the spending cut/tax hike Iaw is concerned. Here's what you can do to help solve this spending problem:

(l) Write letters to your representatives and two senators.

(2) Write to President Johnson at the White House and ask him to hold the line on expenditures.

When writing your letters, remember business acceptance of the tax increase was geared to an anticipated hold-down in spending-a commitment, a law, to cut $6 billion. So far spending cuts in appropriation bills which have passed both Houses total gl.I billion. Final spending cuts by Congress are expected to be about $3.5 billion. Employers, employees, retired people and other eitizens are feeling the pinch of inflation and the tax hike. Why shouldn't the swollen Federal establishment reduce spending by cinching its belt ?

The administration can be expected to ask before this Congress adjourns for "supplemental" appropriations. This means that new spending-more than Congress has already appropriated-is proposed. So ask the President not to submit supplemeritals and let Congress know that you back their saying "no" to any increases in Federal expenditures.

These excerpts from a recent article in Nation's Business are thought-provoking: o At last count, I50 separate departments, agencies, bureaus and boards in Washington, plus over 400 regional and area offices, were piping programs to states, cit ies and individuals through 459 separate channels. o Felv peopl_e realize that overlapping government now has: eight cabinet departments and 12 agencies involved in health. Eighteen separate agencies conducting programs to improve the natural environment. Eight departments and four agencies operating major credit programs which strongly affect rnonetary policy. Ten agencies in three departments managing manpower.programs. o Paper work alone costs about 7/o of the federal adrninistrative budget, o,r a total of $9.5 billion last year. The average cost of a letter in the executive branch has risen to $2.44, while one page of a directive costs $300.

As shown in a rebent Republican National Committee pamphlet, here are some expenditures of the administrafion which a taxpayer might question: o $2,400,000 spent by the Ofrce o{ nomic Opportunity to publicize its tions and to counter widespread criti o $500,000 to finance a Lebanese that doesn't exist. o The Defense Qept. sold a $15.9 lion fuel complex and. 775 acres.of near Buffalo, N.Y, for only $84,650. o $3.5 million to build housinE for de Janeiro's slum dwellers. Now wants the houses: they're too deep i" tbSboondocks.

Much more could be said about Federal;; spending. Let's say it in letters to reprg1 sentatives. senators and the Presiden?. :,

by BOB McBRIEN executive vice president of the Lumber Merchonts Associolion of Norfhern Colifornio ,35,16 El Gomlno Rmt, Sullr 0 lor Altor, Calll.91022 {4r51 941-1617

T|RADE associations like the Lumber r Merchants Assn. of Northern California do much to help members increase business and profits. They also provide members with a wealth of information as well as consultation on numerous important topics. Frankly, that's why individuals and companies join trade associations in the firstplace.

LMA in recent years has adopted a number of programs {or the betterment of not only the industry as a whole, but for each and every individual involved. And one of the best examples of this fact is our safety program.

Never have we had better results than during the first half of 1968. accidents reported are the lowest in 12 years, and of the 103 reported, only 9 were disability-an all-time low for this category. Total outlay by the State Fund in claims for the first half is an extremely low *$3,316 medical and no compensation.

Much o{ the credit for this fine program goes to Armin Speckert and Charles Fowler for their fine leadership of the LMA safety committee which has worked very closely with the State Fund in promoting good work practices. Some 200 "tail-gate" safety meetings have been held in retail yards to generate employee interest in eliminating accidents and the causes o{ accidents.

LMA encourages all dealers to be constantly aware of safety hazards and their elimination. It's just sound business practice to prevent accidents, not only for the money lost in higher insurance premiums and lost wages, but the great personal sufiering usually involved. "Think Safety" should be more than just an idle slogan. Make it work {or you and*your company.

With Fall upon us again we are reminded by LMA president Les Ley that we don't have much time remaining this year to freshen up our facilities before inclement weather. Take a good look at the yard, the store exterior, etc. and see what o'upgrading" could do to help sales.

Housing Looks Good-WWPA

Expectation that the reduction of the discount rate by the Federal Reserve Board will make more money available for home. buyers has been voiced by Wendell B. Barnes, of the Western Wood Products Association.

Reduction of the discount rate to 5.25 percent came just as homebuilding was showing a steady rise, Barnes pointed out, adding that he expected the lower discount rate to give further impetus to homebuilding activity.

He noted that new privately owned housing units started in the nation during July were 140,400, up from the 132,700 of June and a strong increase over the 125,300 for July oI 1967.

On a seasonally adjusted rate, this is 1.53 million housing units annually, up from the 1.3 million reported both in June of this year and in July oI1967.

'olt is generally expected that interest rates, even if they do not drop in the near future, will level out for home loans rather than continue the slow increase recorded during the past year," Barnes sairl.

Buy the Women50c eqch

Faced with the problems of launching a small branch store, a businessman we recently heard of first contacted the presidents of all the local women's clubs. He asked this question: "Will your members attend an Open House at our new location and sign the guest book?" He said he would pay 50{ into the respective club treasury for each member's name in the guest book.

Two months later, interest was at a high point and members from the various club's jammed into the Open House. It cost the owner $700, but he got a jammed store full of buyers, a good direct mail list and inestimable sood will.

Monlqno Building Moteriol Deolers Associqtion

325 Fulter Avenue, Heleno, Montono 59601. (1061 112-2120