PACIFIC HARDWOOD SATBS CO.

lqbor Repoiled Reody to Seek Big Election Viclory Benefits

Sacramento, Calif.-Organized labor in California, which claims to have successfully backed 78 legislators for election last November, now is reported moving to collect big gains. Thomas L. Pitts, California labor's top man and president of the AFLCIO, has stated that a number of bills calling for at least eight major gains by labor were in the hands of legislators for introduction. Their program is said to include:

1. Set a minimum wage of $1.50 per hour to cover agriculture, domestic and other workers not now covered by minimum wage law.

2. Increase weekly employment insurance benefits from a $40 maximum to at least $65.

3. Boost Workmen's Compensation for on-the-job injuries to at least $70 a week.

4. Jump disability insurance benefits for off-the-job injuries from $50 to at least $65 a week. and extend them from 26 to 39 weeks.

5. Add $5 a week for dependent spouse in all categories, and $2.50 a week extra for each dependent child under 18.

6. Extend unemployment insurance, workmen's compensation and disability insurance to all workers not now covered.

A11 of these measures, of course, would have to be added to the employer's cost of operation.

Febrvory 7 Set for Son Jooquin

Volley Hoo-Hoo Dinner-Dqnce

The San Joaquin Valley Hoo-Hoo Club will stage its annual Ladies Night Dinner-Dance event at the Belmont Country Club in Fresno, February 7, according to General Chairman Bob Wright. Starting time is 7:29 p.m. and reservations ($5.50 per) should be called in immediately to Bob Wright (AM 4-6519) or Bud Barber (AD 7-7134). Dinner will be prime rib with all the trimmings, and music will be supplied by none other than Fresno dealer and LMA president Ham Knott's son-Bob Knott and his Dixieland Band.

Tox Tips to lumber Deqlers

Lumber dealers are nowfeceiving their annual Statement of Charges to Employer's Reserve Account (Form DE-428) from the Dept. of Employment relating to California Unemployment Insurance taxes. The Lumber Merchants Assn. of Northern California, San Francisco, suggests that mem- bers carefully audit these statements for possible error, as erroneous ctrarges have been made in the past for an individual whom you have not hired (changes in name through marriage and divorce often cause confusion) and in some cases the irccount may be charged although the employer has not been advised of a claim by the Department. Protests may be made to the local Audit District Office of the Department.

Woodside Adds Bill Hoey To Staff

Charlie Wilson, president of Woodside Lumber Co.. I Drumm St., San Francisco, has added Bill Hoev to his staff to cover Woodside's East Bay and Valley territories. Although born in Portland, Bill Hoey grew up and attended local schools in Eugene, Oregon, where he gained a good all-around lumber background by working for several different sawmill and local logging opera- tors. He joins Woodside Lumber following his recent graduation from ihe University of California at Berkeley.

SPACE-AGE LOGGING IS SIERRA-CASCADE CONFERENCE THEME

Bull-whackers, whistlepunks, ink-slingers and other men with other equally descriptive titles will convene in Redding, Calif., February 12-74, during the tenth annual Sierra - Cascade Logging Conference. Theme of the 1959 conference is "Log- ging-From Ox Team to Jet Stream," according to Conference Chairman Ralph Andre, forester with the U.S. Plywood Corporation, Anderson, Calif.

BREY-WRIGHT YARD WINS CHRISTMAS MENTION

Porterville, Calif.'The Brey-Wright Lumber Company here won Honorable Mention (equivalent to 4th prize) in the Christmas decoration contest sponsored by the Porterville Garden Club. It was an ancient Paul Bunyan statue, transformed into a Santa Claus and entered by a local motel, that won thl 1st prize.

Controcfors Sue for Losses As Domoge Suits Hir Alcoo Over lts Aluminum Houses

"Building and selling aluminum homes isn't a completely carefree business," says Crow's Lumber Digest in its January 15, 1959, issue. "In fact, Alcoa's 1957 promotion of 'Care-Free' homes has had an aftermath of damage suits aggregating more than $1 million against the Aluminum Company of America, according to The Minneapolis Star," quotes Crow's.

A clipping of the story was sent The Digest by Glen B. Gore of the M. A. Gore Lumber Company at Minneapolis. One of the plaintiffs listed is Associated Contractors, Inc., of Minneapolis, a firm which built one of the aluminum houses. In his letter to The Digest, Gore said:

"For six months I have seen this Alcoa house built by Associated Contractors stand empty with few, if any, viewers. There was an initial interest after an extensive and expensive advertising campaign.

"Too many people in this area are experiencing the grief of living with aluminum windows to go overboard for an aluminum house. Mr. Price may sell many such homes in other sections of the country, but we wonder, after seeing the number of contractors suing Alcoa all over the country."

The Minneapolis Star story reported that "Damage suits aggregating more than a million dollars, which charge the Aluminum Company of America with fraudulent sales misrepresentations, were filed in Minneapolis federal court today (January 3,1959) by eight contracting firms, including Associated Contractors, Inc.

"Associated Contracfors, fnc., alleged that ALCOA induced Associated to build a pre-fabricated aluminum home on false representations that the house would cost between $32,000 and $34,000 and that it could be sold for approxim'ately $16,000 profit.

"Instead, the complaint alleged, the house cost Associated

W3,6I2 to build and the highest price Associated could get was $32,419.

"The suit asked $131,193 damages to cover actual loss, costs of advertising and loss to the firm's reputation.

"The other plaintiffs and amounts of damages sought, based on the same general allegations, are Hollin Hills Co., Alexandria, Va., $128,000; Martin Brothers, Inc., Miami, Fla., $125,000; Fred P. DeBlase, Rochester, N. Y., $148,579; Cambridge Village, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, $124,000.

"KeittiF. Pratt, Grand Rapids, Mich., $121,457; Gustav H. Feldtmann, Toledo, Ohio, $136,00O; Kayhoe Construction Corp., Richmond, Va., $146,000."

| 959 Olympic Stoin Gontesl fo Awqrd Los Vegos Trip

Some lucky distributor-salesman will win a weekend trip for two to Las Vegas or Hollywood by opening the greatest number of new major dealers for Olympic Stain by February 15, according to the manufacturer, Olympic Stained Products Company of Seattle. The contest is a part of Olympic's concerted effort to broaden distribution for the complete and expanded line of Olympic stains and wood blends, according to President Philip W. Bailey.

In 1958, 432 new Olympic Stain dealers were added. In the same year, sales of Olympic Stain increased.4l/o. Olympic Stain is sold nationally through paint, hardware and building supply stores. The company also manufactures and distributes nationally a broad line of pre-stained wood products.

Ernie Thomqs Plonning to Retire

Veteran Santa Monica Dealer Ernie Thomas is reported planning to retire from the retail field early this Spring. He says he plans to sell the Dudley-Thomas Lumber Co. in the Bay area and all inventory.