American Ingenuity Needed

by Richard D. Snyder CAE Executive Vice President National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Assn.

TIME For American Ingenuity" was the theme of the 61st NLBMDA annual convention held in November. Perhaps that theme can also be used as a basis for looking at business trends in 1978 and beyond. In other words, it's time for each of us individually and collectively to use our old "American know-how" with the competitive market system to respond effectively to challenges facing us

The timing is right for businessmen to lead the country towards solutions to the energy crunch; consumer and environmental issues, more and better housing, increased timber supply, constructive and equitable tax reform,et. al.

Why? Because the government has tried to respond to these problems

Story at a Glance

Strong economy for next 1B months residential building should remain at a high level in '78 with perhaps a slight increase more sales, more volume.

alone, accompiishing little outside of alienating most of the populace to government regulation and spending. The actions by Congress, in spite of one-party control, is proof of changing attitudes brought about by a knowledgeable constituency. The people want methodical solutions, no rnore rhetoric, and Congress in 1977 appears to be responding to that reque st.

For these actions we, as an important industry, have major opportunities knocking at our doors. Govern-