filV 6]@no,ife Shr+ aa

B2 la'ch Saaaa

Age not guarantecd---Some I havc told lor 20 yean---Somc Lcrt

A Secret Maybe

"How old is he?" asked the employer. "I don'know, Ea'am," said the otter. "I{e nevah would tell me."

J. P. Weycrh aeuser, Jr. Speaker at Portland Junior Chamber o[ Commcrce Banquet

Portland, Ore., Jan. l7-I .P. Weyerhaeuser, Jr., president of Weyerhaeuser Timber company, declared tonight that the nation must ensure its economic freedoms to maintain its political freedoms.

Economic and political freedoms, he said, are "inseparable."

Weyerhaeuser made these comments in addressing the annual anniversary banquet of the Portland |unior Chamber of 'Commerce.

"It is to the self-interest of every American that free enterprise and the free market remain free," he said. "The freedom of the business organization and the freedor.n of the individual are one and the same."

Economic freedoms cannot be regulated unreasonably, he added, without loss of political rights and privileges.

"Today," Weyerhaeuser continued, "these tlvo freedoms are so dependent upon one another that economics is politics and politics is economics. Certainly. the weak must not be exploited; minorities should be represented and protected. But, our efforts should be toward maintaining the free tnarket, which is the result of these freedoms and u'hich is indispensable to their continuance ."

The timber company president pointed out that the essence of free enterprise is competition'

"And, we in the forest products business knou' sor.nething about competition," he said. "There are more than 53,000 sawmills operating in the nation today. They cornpete to sell their production to about 6,000 rvholesalers, lvl-ro in turn are selling to approximately 26,000 retail lumber dealers' . Our company also is in daily competition u'ith nearly 250 pulp rnills and more than 650 veneer and plyr'r'ood mills. ."

In all industries, Weyerhaeuser declared, competition is keenest in finding and keeping customers, "the true bosses oi American business." The forest products industry has conrpeted for and found new customers who are buying pulp for rayon, cellophane, and smokeless powder. Through research, the industry has found competitive markets for sarvmill leftovers.

"Formerly wasted bark is norv used in plastics, adhesives, insecticides, and paperboard stiffeners," he said-

"Whole-wood fibers are finding new uses and nerv customers in the field of hardboard, home and industrial insulation, and oil-r,r'ell drilling. Researchers, r,l'ho are today's major explorers, have developed many nerv and better forest products. Sometimes rve lose competitive markets to substitute materials. But, rve regain some rvith new' techniqus5-manufacturing wide boards from narros- ones and long pieces from short ones through improved gluing processes. The use of glued-up arches for churches and other buildings has been spectacuIar...."

\\'eyerhaeuser enrphasized that there has been no lack of progress in the forest products industry.

"Both in forestry practices and manufacturing, our industn. has competed vigorously in the free market and has brought benefits to the employee, the customer, the investor aud the public," he said.

Referring brieflv to the nerv federal administration, he expressed hope that it could spearhead a "nen' era in political and econornic history which can bring peace to the rvorld." He said the neu' administration seems ready to attempt a reasonable program for this country and the most distressed people abroad.

"\\'hile u-e have been told not to expect panaceas," he remarked, "I believe that rve can insist upon a 'straight deal' to benefit as nranv people as possible, rvhile penalizing as few as possible."

Weyerhaeuser *'arned that big govenrment rrreans heavy taxes and a large tax load on corporations. Excessive taxes, he said, dry up sources of venture capital and stitle business expansion.

"Not only for the interest of the investor, but for the interest of the ernplovee, the custorner, and the general public, it is essential that taxes be levied in a rrav rvhich rvill protect our competitive enterprise system and stimulate the creation of new businesses," he declared. "It takes mone-v and faith for a company to plan for the future."

In conclusion, Weyerhaeuser said work, understanding, and faith are needed to keep our economic and political life free.

"\\'e must compete; \r'e must produce," he asserted. "We nrust increase the benefits from our system. Free men can operate. free enterprise w'ith free minds and extend our system-a working symbol for those peoples elservhere rvho have traded freedom for security."

Expcnds Office

Los Angeles Lumber Inc., Los -A,ngeles, has increased its office space and taken on an extra office. Harry. \\rhittemore is general manager.