Facts Show Building Industry Doing a Good Job For Defense and the Consumer

"Who is the public to believe on forecasts of building costs ?" asks O. W. Hamilton, Chairman of Southern California Homes Foundation. "Is reliance to be placed in the scare-mongers who predict runaway costs with every fluctuation in the price of building materials, or in those who speak from plain facts in reassuring the home-building public ?

"In November Southern California Homes Foundation forecast a leveling off in the price movement of building materials. Early in February the record of the previous two months was cited to show that the prediction had been sound. This leveling of costs continues, according to the vvholesale Price Index of the Department of Labor for the week of February 22. The basic building material, lumber, has declined steadily in cost during recent weeks, dropping .7 point from February 8 to February 22.

"The building industry, through its local units, has also done a good job in maintaining local supply of building materiais despite the disrupton of trade caused by the constructon requirements of the defense program. The industry has put defense first, before its own interests, and has at the same time protected the consumer. The record shows this to be true.

"The individual local man in the building businesslumber dealer, building contractor, home-equipment supplier, banker, realtor-has held down his prices and built up his services to the consumer on a simple policy of enlightened self-interest. No pressure from high authority rvas needed for this result. The objective was to maintain the confidence of the public in the industry. The effect has been more building in January and February than in the same months {or 1940 or for any other year since 1930.

"On the service side of the picture, the local men of building-your neighbors and fellow businessmen-are providing the best building service of their history. Designs and constructon methods for small homes are in step with the FHA insured loan on the march of good service for new-home ownership. The 'Starwing' home pattern, List

No. A-766-858, is evidence. Is there nothing new in smallhome design ? Study the 'Starwing' floor plan closely, in comparison with other plans for four---or five-room homes, and you will find it does strike a new note and a h"ppy one in the arrangement of living room, dinette and kitchen."

Local retail lumber merchants will provide individual service and give conditional estimates on the "starwing" home pattern. For answer books and special information on home ownership, write Southern California Homes Foundation, 1348 E. Street, San Diego.

E. L. GREEN IN EAST

E. L. Green, vice-president in charge of sales for lJnion Lumber Co., San Francisco, left March 16 by plane for Dallas, Texas, on his way East for a three weeks' business trip. He will spend some time at the company's Chicago office.

\(/inter Sports Authority Lauds California Snow Areas

San Francisco, March 16-California's national forest skiing areas and mass numbers of winter sports participants are contributing to an improved social and economic outlook for the State.

Thus declared Robert S. Monahan of U. S. Forest Service headquarters in Washington, D. C., at the conclusion of a two weeks' survey of major winter sports developments throughout California forests.

Mr. Monahan, who is touring all national forest skiing areas in the United States, stated in a visit to San Francisco that "California has some of the best skiing terrain and snow conditions anywhere, and is attracting tremendous crowds.

"f am impressed by the volume of business that this popular sport is bringing to all sorts of large and small concerns, in the cities and along transportation routes.

"But I am even more impressed by the wholesome outlook that a pair of skis, deep snow and our winter area developments help provide for so many outdoor enthusiasts.

"The Forest Service strongly believes in this type oi public use of national forest lands. Regional Forester Show tells me that more than 600,000 snow sport fans including repeaters, used 50 developed winter sports areas last year in the national forests of California alone."

fn an address before the Forest and Outdoors Section of the San Francisco Commonwealth Club, Mr. Monahan pointed to the Donner Recreation Area in Tahoe National Forest as one of the most popular winter sport regions in the United States.

He looks forward to the day when overnight ski touring in the High Sierra will be a popular form of participant sport; but, he added, all skiers won't be ready for it until they are really proficient and ski trails have been adequately developed.

Ed Galpin Opens Retail Yard

E. H. Galpin, former secretary of the Coast Counties Lumbermen's Club has started in the retail lumber business at Seaside, Monterey County, Calif., operating as the Seaside Lumber Co.