National-American Urges Industry Cooperation Recognizes Need for Better Salesmanship

Wholesalers and manufacturers at National-American's regional meeting at the St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco, February 27,1963, urged President Kennedy by wire to use his good ofrces to resolve the labor dispute threatening a strike on the Southern Pacific Railroad. The telegram stated that hour-by-hour uncertainty in transportation service disrupts orderly marketing and the industry cannot afford a breakdown in shipping schedules due to the narrow profitmargin squeeze of the past three years. B. R. Garcia, National-American's Traffic Consultant, said "A strike on the Southern Pacific would be a crippling blow to the lumber industry. No one wants the President to abuse his power in settling this matter, but all negotiations appear to have been exhausted and the alternative is closed sawmills. idle workers. and economic waste."

Al Bell, Jr., Godard & Bell, Inc., San Francisco, NAWLA Director, was Chair- man of the meeting. Over fifty men attended the day-long session held in conjunction with Western Pine Association's Annual Meeting. Spirited discussion was held on several subjects, including the Lumber Industry Merchandising Council. Mace Tobin, Westwood Millwork Company, and Charles E. Clay, Jr., Forest Products Sales Company, two of National-American's representatives on the LIMC, reported on the recent Palm Springs meeting. Tobin said, "Cooperation in the LIMC by dealers, mills, and wholesalers is one of the best thines that has happened in our industry for 1 long time. It shows real concern by all segments to solve marketing problems."

Mort Doyle, Executive Vice President, National.Lumber Manufacturers Ass'n., addressed the group on the importance of grade simplification to the industry. Western Pine Association's Secretary-Manager, Bill Griffee, explained the current status of the proposed size changes under consideration by the American Lumber Standards Committee.

National-American's Sales Training Program was explained in detail. L. J. Fitzpatrick, NAWLA President, said, "One of the industry's most crying needs is for trained salesmen. We have the best building material available yet time and again are beat out by competitive materials because we don't know how to sell lumber. This program meets the needs in a most practical way and is open to all wholesalers, mill men, and commission men.t' Descriptive pamphlets and enrollment blanks are available from either office of the NationalAmerican, 180 Madison Avenue, New York City, or Yeon Building, Portland, Oregon.

Hampton Lumber Sales Company of Portland, Oregon has established a department to specialize in Inland Species, per announcement {rom John C. Hampton. Phil Nock will be in charge of trading in the pine species, Inland fir and larch, Englemann and Western white spruce, white fir and millwork items.

The addition, states Mr. Hampton, will provide a balanced supply of forest products for Hampton's clientele in both Coast and Inland lumber species and in plywood items.

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