National Lumber Manufactu rers Association lssues Statement o] Policy

The National Lumber i\fanufacturers Association has just done a very intelligent thing; it has issued in printed form a statement concerning its policies and philosophies, so that all may understand. The statement begins as follol's:

"The competitive pril'ate enterprise svstem has brought to the American people the highest standard of living in the s'orld. It has constantly and progressivelr- provided better products at lon'er costs. Through it \\'e have, achieved greater freecloms. privileges. and opportunities than those knou'n to other nations. The NLI\'I-\ believes u.holeheartedly in this system rvhich is dependent upon prirrate olrnership. It must be presen'ed. Improvement in its operation should be sought constantl.v. but never at the expense of freedoms. privileges, and opportunities u'hich private enterprise alone offers.

"In a republic, the government exists for the people, and nrust be directed by the people. \\re abhor the tendencr- of many of those in government to reverse this frrndamental concept and endeavor to impose government on the people and to direct their actions. Steadily there has been fostered a false concept that all problems must be turnecl over to the federal government for solution, that private initiative. individual responsibility, and sound legal principles can no longer meet our requirements. Adherence to the principles and fundamentals of competitive prit'ate enterprise, rrith individual initiative and responsibility, rvill provide a better and more lasting solution of our economic problems than government regimentation in any form.

"It is abundantly clear that the principles of competitir-e private enterprise cannot exist side b1' side u'ith the federal government dictating industrial operating policy. the terms of "collective bargaining" agreements, \\'age and price policies, or any of the other myriad forms of control. This Nation has alrvays sanctioned and encouraged the profit motive. Personal economic reu'ard has been iound the best means to induce the ultimate productive efforts of men. The subtle, subversive and even open attempts to discredit and abolish our system must be vigorouslv opposed.

"Our competitile private enterprise s)'stem rvhich has so successfullv met the needs of the nation in the past rvill continue to meet the difficult economic. social, and political problems oi today. No foreign nation's economic or political system has been able to produce an equivalent standard of living. achieve a like equalitv of justice. or afford the same protection of fundamental human rights as our o\\'n. Chaotic conditions prei'alent in manl' foreign countries are evidence of the degeneration of the moral fibre of nations u'hich have failed to cherish and protect their freedoms. \Ve must uphold our system and avoid foreign ideologies rvhich are productive onlv of internal strife and class u'arfare."

The statement then discusses Economic Controls, Price Controls, Government Competition. Forest Policy, Housing and Construction, Finance and Fiscal Matters, Social Security, Labor Relations. \\'age-Hour Larv, Transportation, etc.

Rent controls are condemned as an obstacle to housing construction. Price controls are condemned as fundamentalll' unsound.

That the Government "should neither o\{n nor operate business, industrial concerns. or plants in competition "rrith private enterprises, is so stated.

"\\re are opposed to federal regulations of private forest practices and federal control oi State forest policies," is stated next.

\\'ith regard to construction. it is stated that: "The construction industr-v provides employment for more than trvo million persons. It is vitally important that this industry be healthv and flourishing if the nation is to enjo-v a prosperous, thriving econom)', rvith a high level of employment. \\"e belier-e that this goal can best be achieved through competitise private enterprise."

\Vith regard to taxes. it states: "The only legitimate purpose of taxation is to raise revenue for necessary go\'ernment expenses. Taxation is not a proper device for redistributing s'ealth, or for the accomplishment of social (Continued on Page 14)