SEASON'S GREETINGS from Bill

Johnson

John Polach

Larry Hansen

Walt Hlorf

Gary Simmen

Ruby Spoor

Ethel Vizzard

Lori Rucker

Sonia Giannini and all the folks af Hobbs Wall

OVING ON to another position (see pg. sixteen in this issue) is most al' ways an exciting situation, but at the same time it is a time when reflection brings back a flood of fond memories. This cer' tainly is true as I write this last column as executive vice president of the Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California.

LMA vp urg.es tll to. plan

*lF*

The past four years have gone like the for a profitable future by building upon the wind' For the most part, they have been p'at. excellent years for our members. Business has increased and correspondingly profits have improved. Manufacturers have taken a re-newed interest in helping retailers realize their true potential.

As LMA's managing offic,er, I have tried at all times to encourage all dealers to shunt aside the past and look to the future. I have asked them to deterrnine where they were going and where they wanted to be in the years ahead. Some have followed this suggestion and others have not. The future will determine which will be more successful. **

LMA has moved a long way in the last few years. New programs have been initiated for the benefit of all dealers regardless of their size or type of business. Insurance dividends have been more than 30 percent annually thanks to more attention being given safety programs.

LMA annual conventions have set new attendance records each year thanks largely to better programming planned by officers and board members. Top management seminars and area round table meetings have provided participants with most valuable information-information that is truly vital to success these days.

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all those who gave so willingly of their time, effort and cooperation to increase the value of LMA to its membership. It has been a great opportunity to work with you and I hope I'll continue to see you often in the future.

Economist Sees Housing Rise

A member of tlre Federal Reserve Board joined many leading economists in forecasting that housing starts in 1969 will increase to 1.65 million units.

FRB mernber Andrew F. Brimmer said the increase in hous. ing activity is expected despite Viet Nam peace uncertaintieg in. flation, and high home construction and financing costs. He said the availability of funds, more than their coat, will be a dominant influence on transactions in both new and existinE homes.

Sunsel Buys Kirk Lumber

Sunset Industries, acquisition-oriented, has purchased the Kirk LumbelCo., Santa Maria, Calif., for an undisclosed amount. The firm was founded by the late Joe Kirk.

Earlier tlis year Sunset bought The Handy Andy cash and carry yard in Tucson, Ariz.

Evqns Buying Sovonq Timber Co.

Evans Products Co., Portland, Oregon, will acquire Savona Timber Co. Ltd. of Savona, British,Columbia, Canada.

Savona has an existing sawmill, plywood plant, planer mill and chipping facilities located in Savona with substantial timber re. serves. Savona's mills can produce approximately thirty million feet of lumber products annually.

No price was disclosed.

Montqnq Fire Rqtes Corrected

Fire insurance rates for home owners policies on masonry veneered wood-frame dwellings in Montana have been equal to solid masonry rates since Nov. 1.

Masonry veneered wood-frame dwellings had been rated at the higher frame rate. Masonry rate is more favorable.