Clu b's family weekend

bile (his son got a birdie, inciden' tally) ; 2nd flight, Ken Coleman, Norm Wendell. Women's low gross honors went to Suzie Merritt.

As is customary, every lady pres' ent was the winner of a door Prize, courtesy of the club,

A Beef

The Merchant Magazine

578 So. Lake

Pasadena, Ca. 91101

Gentlemen:

Yes, I have a beef, In r"eading your article "A Historg of the Ho'rdwood Bueinees on the Pocific Coost" I was really shocked and pained to note the very scant mention you made of "E. J. Stanton & Son" founded by my father, E. J. Stanton, and canried on by myself commencing in 1913 until 1966 when my son, LeRoy, Jr., took over the business until 1970 when it was merged into Lane-Stanton Lumber Co.

Qur company was the pioneer hardwood yard of southern California and I am personally very proud of its success over 75 years as well as the splendid reputation we enjoyed all over the United States.

I am sorry you did not give any information in your article about our fine old firm.

Sincerely, LeRoy H. Stanton, Sr.

Box 64132

Terminal Annex

Los Angeles, Ca.90058

The briel mention ue gaae to all the f,rms in the story was strbtly d,ue to the requirements ol space. E. L Stannn & Son was inileed a major lantor in the business anil LeRoy Stunnn is one ol the real giants ol the hardwood trade in the U.S.-Editor.

Hardwood Thoughts

David Cutler, The Merchant Magazine

573 South Lake Ave., Pasadena, Ca. 91101

Dear Dave:

Boy, you sure are determined to put me on TIIE spot.

I am assuming that we are all for merrchandising hardwoods buthere are a few thoughts.

Wertom lgnbcr .qnd lulldtng lkitcrlclr MEICHANI

The laws of supply and demand AND the screwy ability necess,ary of the individual to give up his upbringing in (not selling) but giving away the usual lumber products as used by his contractorall of these things are basic problems in taking on an inventory of hardwoods without experience. That's not too clear so letts pull it apart a litile. All of this letter is my impression, not guaranteed truth.

First we must sepa.rate the kinds of customers that the mills or distributors have and what grades the dealers can purchase and sell.

Domestic hardwoods do not produce a great amount of big, beautiful boards of long lengths and exceptional quality. So there are built-in limitations such as the above in starting. I am assuming also that "fire Market" would be for the do-ityourself guy. The cabinet shops, schoolq big industrial users & in many cases others, can do their own milling on the rough lumber which is often the only way it is available. FAS is about the only top grade available at local distrib utors and, boy, it is often too damn lousy for these special customers. There is so little of the super "clear of defects" quality to go around.

It is my opinion that only a "cab- inet grade" should be stocked. Customers will not buy splits, knots, warpage or poorly milled boards, and maybe it all comes down to where is the dealer going to find this quality to get into the hardwood business ?

Years ago the Ameri.can Lurnberman had, a fine article on the "cure all" that was starting in the east, called "cash and carr5r for contractors," where the lumber companies put a little shed out on the outskirts for their trade at reduced prices. I believe that the editor at that time was my old friend Art Hood, a very wise man. His summary of all the good and bad of the possibilities was limited to "What is your emotional ability to do that kind of business?"

Selling after finding the stock, pricing each board on the basis of its individual quality, forgetting all about board measune and thinking only about how much maximum that you can get out of that particular boa,r:d, these are tlre hard parts of handling hardwoods, Of course there has to be one special, screwy, determined, desperate, SOB that has the responsibility of doing this one job.

Selling hardwoods by board measure always leaves the lesser quality boards in the racks. Incidentally, these racks have to be a special deal so that the boards are individually available to the customer, not in a pile that he can not get at.

Another question is how much of your hardwood (retail) will the local wholesale distributors take away from you. It can be a lot.

Merry Xmas

Ed Pohle

Southern Lumber Co.

1402 So. lst St. San Jose, Ca. 95110

HARDWOOD ISSUE

Dear Mr. Cutler:

Dr. Joe Mcleary has forwarded to me your October issue of The Merchant. The article "Background on Hardtaood,," part of the series you are presenting, is well written and we appreciate your interest in helping others understand the hardwood businesg.

Very truly yours,

Robert O'Donoghue

Vice President Cook Industries, fnc.

P.O. Box 397 Memphis, Tenn. 38101

25 YEARS A@

Dea,r Sirs:

Please discontinue my subscription for The Mercho,nt.

Since you no longer have the page "25 Years Ago," there is not much interest for us "old timers.t'

I enjoyed my monthly subscription for about 35 years. Thanks for everything.

George Mattes.

1260 No. Arrowood Drive Brea, Ca. 92621

Maybe u)e ca,n resurrect the sectian il there is enough read.er interest.Edinr. .

Potltlon! wanted 25l a word' mlnlmum gl word! (2[! wordr : t5.to). All others 36r a word, mh. a) words (20 words : tfif.Oo). Phone number counts aa one word. Boxed ads $1 extra..trancy headllne or borders S2 extra. Box numbered ads add lt1.50.