Sticks-Stones-and Substitute Materials

Economic Council Debatcs Problems ol Lumber Ind'ustry

IU[EETING January 9, 10 and lI at the rvr 9o1"1 Riviera in Palm Springs, California, members of the Economic Council of the Lumber Industry gave intensive consideration to long-range problems and prospects facing the industry.

Though our page heading may seem to be an over-simplification of the prooeedings of this top echelon group, actually it pretty well covers the three main avenues which the discussions followed.

Naturally, the Economic Council was at all times concerned with the oosticks" end of their business-from timber lands to on-site product use.

"Stones"? It gave a frank look at its public image, at what stones may have been thrown at it in the past or are likely - to be lrefted in the future, and what can be done to improve it.

"Substitutes." Interwoven in all discussions was the problem of retaining lumber's markets in face of stifi competition from concrete, steelo aluminum, plastics and other construction materials.

Key Executives Present

Participating were 35 members of the Council, all key executives of four organizations covering the entire range of the American lumber industry-National Lumber Manufacturers Association, National Lumber and Building Materials Association, National-American Wholesale Lumber Associatio! and the National Association of Lumber Salesmen, Inc.

In addition, 17 guests, including repre- sentatives of regional asociations and the trade press, took part in the deliberations.

J. B. Edens, president of Southwest Forest Industries, Phoenix, Arizona, served as chairman of the Council and. backstopped by NLMA Executive Vice President Mortimer B. Doyle and stafi, did an outstanding job of keeping the discussions to the point and moving at a swift pace.

Generally, during the two-day meet, the working format followed was for members, after meeting in general session, to be divided into four or five groups for consideration of a specific subject. Following their group meetings the respective chairmen report€d back at general session the majority opinions or analyses arrived at. Comments and discussion were then in. vited from the floor.

As the proceedings of these meetings were ofi-the-record, let us emphasize that the following reporting of the activities is strictly our summation and reflect no official positions of the groups involved.

After a 7:30 A.M. breakfast and briefing Thursday morning, members held their first open session at 9:00 A.M. and immediately dug into a big subject, ooHow can the forest products industry meet the increasing pressures for public use of forest land and pressures for government partici. pation in private forestland management?"

In general summary it was acknowledged that it was in the best interests of the industry to develop a program meeting the r,equirements of both land owners and the public for increased use of private and public forest land for recreation and other multiple uses, but specifying that true economicvalues of those uses berecognized.

Ccprule refieclions qnd commanls: lhese prob' lernr cqn'l be solved quickly humon righis ore fodcy in vogue, ond qr€ 3tronger thon prop. perry righrs the indushy murt odopl o progrom for the multiple use qnd purpose of londs . the industry cqn besf schieve its own foir ond reosonoble gools if it wins the support of lhe olher moior recreotionol, wslershed ond wildlife groups but this will require sn intensive ond stepped-op progtom of publiciry ond public relclions . . ir will be in the besl inlerest lo become ollied with olher lqnd owners lformers, coltlemen, etc,l in o progrom lo inform thc pubtic of lhe righfs. the problems ond lhe cosls of lqnd ownership lhe educolion of lhe public in fhese oreos must be strenglhened.

Generally, it seemed to us that the in' dustry acknowledged that, in the absence of a timbei famine as an emotional stimulus to encourage further government control programs over forest lands, the needs of the water, wildlife, scenery and recreation groups would gain increasing prominence and attention. It further acknowledged that the accompanying problems must be met head-on with a positive program by the industry, so that the industry can help guide any eventual government-sponsored program,

There was considerable discussion, without any conclusion, on the subject of land owners charging fees for recreational use of their lands. It was properly recognized that just compensation should be received, yet equally recognized that the public' generally accustom,ed to using national parks and other recreational lands for free, might well object.

MUITIPTE UsE OF IAND'

It seemed to be agreed that the lumber industry will have to adapt to the principle of the multiple use and purpose of lands; that it can adapt to it by treating it as a lorest prod,ucls problem in concert with other allied groups; that the industry, instead of being on the defensive, can stand on its own merits, experience and ability, to participate in the development of an equitable program; and that a sound pubIic relations and education presentation is called for. No specific steps or plans were agreed upon, nor was it the purpose of the Council to arrive at such; however, the fact that the Council was willing to so frankly acknowledge the problems and (Continueil on Page 12)

Sacramento WAbosh 2-9631

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YElf owstone 9-1 413

Spring

Maior sports event. G'P's big spring sports show is still being assem' bled. lYhen readY, it will be re' leased for lull impact with special announcements!

prviiloo H|rri,rrrJ t'BFD

,,^o.lt T'OUSE

Pflonrii,o ntol{ooD ' nvsuufs ptyWdii C0f{CnffE srolrvc_ _ F0nil F'8ER.P|.Y ness walr to find a non-applioetor sour@ of Iaminated beams.

Who says the dealer can't cwpete with the applicator in the roof structure business? As the accompanying photos in this artic{e will attest, dealers of all sizes-siven the proper source-can get their shaie of the laminated beam business and tir: in the decking as well.

California Sugar & Western Pine Agency made arrangements with Boise-Cascade Corporation approximately one year ago, and more recently with Woodlam, Inc., to distribute their Glue Laminated Beams & Arches to the retail lumber dealers in Northern California. Both firms are active members of the American Institute of TimLrer Construction, and both are qualified participants of the AITC Quality Control Program.

Initially, when California Sugar & Western Pine began distribution of Glu Lam beams last year, the company found that a large percentage of lumber dealers were