NNENTANA NtrWS

By R. V. PEIERSEN executive secretary

f T N DER th e title "T he S hape of T h inss

L,, tu Come" it would be possible to enumerate various recent legislative actions which will have significant impact on the lumber dealerand, indeed, on most of the total busines sector.

Recently MBMDA supplied to all members small plastic cards imprinted with conversion tables to facilitate expression of traditional weights and measures units in metric terms. And vice versa. This was not a prelude to immediate requirement for changeover, but rather a step in the ultimate transition from a hodgepodge of illogical weights and measures to the systemized practicality of the metric system.

Those dealers who have given more than passing attention to the eventuality of application by this country of metric measure realize that it will have jarring impact, even to thejargon ofthe trade.

Two by fours may possibly retain a spot in the lexicon of the industry, but the relevance would be only a matter of convenience. By current milling standards, a 2 x 4 - l6will sport the approximate dimensions of 40 mm. x 90 mm. bY 4877 mm. (or 489 c.m. or 4.89 m.) And what will you call it? Then, if you think vou have problems, what about the ar- -chitect, the engineer, the carpenter? - The shock value of that little white card

Western Building Material Association

NAu#ffiffi'H6#''

By R0SS KINCAID executive vice president

fiSHA inspections, according to rev ports from midwest associations. are increasing.

'l-heir inspection reports show that the following alleged violations show up most often:

(l) Maintenance or recharge service on fire extinguishers.

(2) Failure to guard saws, shapers, belts, etc. on equipment.

(3) lmproper ladders.

(4) Failure to provide standard guard railing on storage or loading plat-