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FRANK DAVIS executive vice president

t\ F GREAT concern to us is Section V:tS oi H.R. 3875 legislation, The Housing and Community Development Amendments of 1979.

This section passed by the House of Representatives contains a provision exempting masonry construction from thermal energy performance standards promulgated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Senate-passed ver- sion contains no such provision. As the legislation is before the House-Senate conference committee, we oppose Section 318.

Because wood and masonry are the two main building products for home construction in Arizona, they are very competitive. With this unreasonable exemption lor masonry block from the HUD thermal energy standards, the standards apply only to wood. Although we firmly support energy saving standards, we feel that such an issue does not belong in the political arena of Congress.

With these thoughts in mind, we asked Joe Hobson, v.p. of the NLBMDA, to contact the Honorable John Rhodes of Arizona. minoritv leader of the House, to protest this exemption on our behalf.

The following letter is the reply lrom James R. Feltham, administrative assistant to Congressman Rhodes.

Thank you for your letter dated Sept. l8 with respect to the provision in Section 318 oi the HUD amendments of 1979, exempting masonry construction from thermal energy performance standards that were recently promulg-. ated by HUD. While Mr. Rhodes supports this exemption, he is not doing so to place masonry construction at an unfair competitive advantage over wood frame construction.

This exemption only came about because of HUD's intransigence with respect to the standards it issued. Had they been reasonable, and taken into account the effect that warm weather (Please turn to page 24) to individuals in the $15.600 to $20,000 annual income area. Complete inforrnation concerning this program is available from the FmHA county supervisor in the county where the proposed housing will be located.

DEGINNING in September, inves- El tigators from the U.S. Department of Labor are selecting approximately 18,000 firms across the country for spot checks of compliance with minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor and other Fair Labor Standards Act regulations. You may want to check your operation to make sure you are in full compliance just in case you are one of those unlucky 18,000.

TheTax Reform Act of 1976 contained a provision which changes the basis for calculating the capital gain on inherited property. This provision was so controversial that Congress post- poned its effective date. However, unless it is repealed, it will go into effect December 31. If the "Carrvover basis" becomes la1il, an heir witt Ue required to use the value of the property at the time it was acquired by the deceased, rather than at the time of death, in computing capital gain. The "Carryover basis" provision does not change federal estate tax requirements or state inheritance taxes. The law is significantly more complicated than this description indicates, but even this brief description emphasizes the potential of requiring survivors to liquidate the property just to pay taxes.

Through the Single Family Rural Housing Loan Program the Farmers Home Administration has funds for participants who want to take advantage of the Rural Home Loan Guarantee Program. The program is limited

Sam Asberry, the mgr. of Lumber Products' Medford, Or., branch, was honored by his employer and employees at a testimonial dinner marking his 30th year with the firm. Their Eugene branch has promoted Jim Rhodes to outside sales. Bill Plummer replaces Jim as desk salesman and Gary Graham will take his place in the warehouse.

Palmer G. Lewis Co. has named Ed Strother mgr. of its Eugene, Or., branch, and John Ruud mgr. of the Bremerton, Wa.. branch.

Walt Shriver, Edwards Building Supply, Wilsonville, Or., was one of six dealers participating in a filmed discussion as a part of the Champion Building Products fall dealer promotion. The question discussed was "How does a retailer's asset management adequately incorporate inventory and accounts receivable ? " ll|0 flil0 ca||$ utill| |]|0 il0 PR0flffi!