What's Happened fo Woodworking?

By W. t. JOHNSTON, Genercl Monoger Pociftc Mill & Fixlure Co., Ooklond

Governor Brown, during 1962, appointed a special commission, namely the Economic Development Agency, to make a .thorough investigation of industry, its growth and problems, in the State of California.

This, commission has thoroughly investi.

gated the woodworking industry in California and a full report is now in the Gover- nor's hands for future action and planning. cabinets, laboratory furnitrire and general tempting through a joint effort of Manage- ment and Labor, to publicize the adverse effect of large quantities of casework and laboratory furniture being imported from

California manufacurers of casework.

, out-of-State manufacturers, particularly for use in our tax-supported colleges & schools. U DUUUVIS.

Withirr the past three years more and more contracts have been awarded to out-of-State so that California producers have been practically eliminated from bidding jobs, let alone receiving an award.

' From factual data compiled recently, it is a conservative estimate that between fifty and seventy-five million dollars worth of school casework and laboratory furniture annually has been awarded to out-of-State manufacturers during the past two to four years. This presents a very serious problem to a once important segment of California industrl, as many of the companies afiected have been in business in our state for many years; have substantial investments in industrial property and equipment, do provide employment for California workers, and do pay taxes that support California schools, government and growth in general.

The Pacific Coast States, and California in particular, seem to be the prime target of eve,y promoter or vendor who has something to sell at a price. The school casework and laboratory furniture field is at present a vety lucrative one for out-of.State manufacturers, since without exception they all hav" lower labor costs than California manrrfacturers and many of them operate non-union shops.

What has caused this sudden chanse in specifying and awarding contracts to outof-State manufacturers?

Several things:

( I ) California, as we all know, is growing rapidly and the demand for new schools of all kinds-elementary, high school, junior college, state colleges and universities, in addition to other public buildings-has mushroomed so tremendously that agencies attempting to get these new schools and projects built, have overlooked the end result it would have upon our California industry and as well the jobs and taxes we so desperately need to continue this growth and to pay the costs of maintaining these institutions.

One Industry Man Airs His View

The California Lumber Merchant

Attention: Don Dick Managing Editor

Dear Mr. Dick:

We noticed in your Christmas issue an editorial on page 18 regarding taxpayer's money. We enjoyed this article very much and feel personally that this sort of publicity should be given more attention by the lumber indus- i am enclosing for your consideration an editorial which appeared in the December ?th A.G.C, Convention issue of the Daily Pacific Builder in regard to a tremendous problem facing our end of the woodworking industry. I would appreciate very much having you print this article, as I believe The California Lumber Merchant reaches many people in our state from the sawmill to the finished product, who are not really aware of what is happening to our industry.

If you feel you can use this article, we would be most appreciative.

Sincerely,

W. L. Johnston General Manager Pacific

Mill & Fixture Co.

901 Seventy-Seventh Avenue

Oakland, California

Our thanhs n Mr. Iohnston lor this pcrtinent comrnent which we a,re plcased n publish. Would, that more people would, speak their mind,s about these oery real problem.s.-Editor.

(2) The out-of-State manufacturers have done an exceptional job of sales promotion by having school officials, architects, etc., specify their products by catalog numbers, etc., making it almost impossible for California manufacturers to bid. In many instances, contracts have been awarded to out-of-State manufacturers even thoueh California manufacturers were the low bidders.

(3) Many general contractors as well, when putting their bids together, have also lost sight of the end result it will have of taking a low bid from some of these outof-State suppliers. Many contractors are experiencing delays in cornpleting their jobs; some are discovering that the product quality is not as specified and below standard; and some have experienced labor disputes due to non-union equipment being installed.

(4) It is a known fact that products purchased and manufactured out-of-State and brought into California for use on public projects, supported by tax dollars, actually produce very little employment in our State other than the small amount of labor to install them. There is no tax support to California due to these practices.

It is also a known fact that California workers and manufacturers are the people who support our State and promote bond issues to build more schools and public buildings, therefore, isn't it time we consider the economic results of such a continued program ? We have many well equipped and qualified manufacturers in our State who can produce this work, who do hire California workers, and at the same time distribute the tax burden among those who are being benefitted. We heartily recommend, all things being equal, that all school districts, state, city and county agencies, architects, buyers, etc., who are guardians of the taxpayers' dollars, begin specifying Woodwork Institute of California as the standard for casework and millwork, and the Cabinet and Fixture Manufacturers' Guild's Laboratory Manual on all laboratory furniture, and in addition insist on buying from California manufacturers.

G w,fl

Knpr^enting:

McDONAID CEDAR PRODUCTS, LTD.

TAMFORD CEDAR, LTD.

TUMAC TUMBER CO.,INC.

TRUCK AND RAIL

TRAILER L.C.L.

Bevel - Chqnnel -

RusficBosrd t, Batten - Decking -

Poneling. G reen f, Dry Dimension

WTITTRI{ RED, III(EI{sE, AI.AJKA f0U1{DAIl0l{, ([DAR tEl{(11{0 (all

Shingles

Shaket i' ,i Hip 6 Ridge

YELL0lY, pallerns)

Jhims

Palings