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By R. V. PETERSEN executive secretary

ORE THAN average attendance at the annual meeting of National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Assn. in Williamsburg, Va., attested to our industry's concern with national and local economic and legislative developments which affect the national buildine scene.

Mosl commendable and inspiring is the extent ofconstructive effort contributed by so many people in behalf of all members of the industry.

At this meeting, Bob Slettedahl of Shelton, Wash., who is currently national executive committeeman for this northwest district, was unanimously elected to the position of treasurer of NLBMDA. Montana was represented at this meeting by Roger Walsh, Great

Falls. and bv national directors Al Kind and Dick Petersen, both of Helena.

Interesting to note, in this area of strong unlon support, rs a current move in Washington to bring unions under anti-trust laws. lntroduced by Senator Strom Thurmond (S. Car.), the action has gained emphasis through cosponsorship by Senators McClellan (Ark.) and Fannin (Ariz.), and more recently by Sen. Curtis of Nebraska and Sen. Wallace of Utah.

The bill. 5.2237. would remove the present exemptions from the anti-trust laws now enjoyed by labor unions, thus establishing a more equitable status in the market place and in the legislative halls for both segments of industry. The more co-sponsors, the more assurance for early consideration of this legisla- emolover to another. tion. Ifyou are concerned, you can help by an immediate expression of your convictions to your senators recommending their support as co-sponsors.

{ requires the fiduciary standards to be administered by the Labor Department.

* stipulates that vesting and funding standards be administered by the Treasury Department (IRS).

* seeks to govern the conduct of pension plan administrators and trustees by imposing new standards.

* gives greater tax advantages to the self-employed (15% of taxable income up to $1,500) and to workers whose companies do not provide for retirement (tax deductions up to $1,500).

* limits pensions to a maximum of 75% of final 3-year pay. Excludes pay over $100,000.

+ requires Secretary of Treasury to seek court action to stop operation of pay-as-you-go or other non-qualified plans.

Employers who maintain private pension plans for their employees should contact their plan manager and determine how these legislative proposals will affect them.

Our Welcome Dept. expresses its pleasure in announcing membership for Lindsey Lumber & Building Supply at Whitefish and Eureka and in extending a hand of welcome to Dave Lindsey and his personnel.

With regret we report the passing of long-time lumberman William Siebenaler at Ft. Benton. He was employed by Monarch Lumber Co. at Three Forks and Ft. Benton before retiring in 1958.