EDITORIAL

A New Child is Born

OST DELEGATES TO the Western Wood Products Association convention in San Fran' cisco in early March left with a sense of indirection. As one weary lumberman put it, "['ve never been more confused in my life."

But for the man at the point of sale there emerged one solid accomplishment that should prove of vait benefit to thoae in an area who wish to band together to promote the sale of forest products. The Forest Products Promotion Council became a going concern with the adoption of articles of association and a set of byJaws' Its stated purpose: '"fo promote greater acceptance and use of forest products." Membership is open by board invitation to 'oin' dividuals, firms, corporations and associations who are concerned with promotion of forest products."

In attendance at its first meeting' were representatives from most of the major associations who have been interested in the formation of the coun' cil. A fifteen man board was elected. From this group Bronson J. Lewis of the American Plywood Association was chosen as chairman; Bud Witten' berg, National Association of T'umber Salesmen, vice chairman, and Paul Beattig Wood Marketing, Inc., secretary-treasurer. Principle office will be at WMI headquarters in Washington, D. C.

The council has been formed primarily to o'en' courage, foster and develop local level wood pro' motion groups." The principal means of communication will be the Wood Promotion Bulletin of the Hoo-Hoo Log & Tally, which has already demonstrated its value by the quality of the articles ooHow To Prepare Wood Publicity," and ooThe Interior Designer: A Lumberman's Best Friend," which kicked ofi the FPPC program in the January and February issues.

The officers, until the next meeting in September, will be principally concerned with developing from all sources information on what and who is available from industry associations to local groups de- siring help with their programs. This data will soon be "rn"ilubl", and should prove invaluable both to association personnel and local officials.

The board voted to establish a very nominal$25 lor local groups, $50 for larger associations-voluntary dues structure, principally to cover mail' ing expenses. Primary financial support in dollars, or in kind, will be provided by Hoo-Hoo Interna' tional and Wood Marketing, Inc., the sponsors of this well-conceived and organized joint venture.

We would be remiss here if we did not give credit for bringing this new child successfully into the world to that active, dynamic chairman of the steer' ing committee, Hoo-Hoo trophy winner Tom Gal' lagher, the president of New Mexico Timber Prod' ucts in Albuquerque, and his able temporary secretary, Bob Holder, Hoo-Hoo's executive vice-president. Those of us whir will eventually benefit owe thern a real vote of thanks.

In these turbulent times when the lumber industry gives continuing evidence of inability to agree on many matters, it is encouraging to find at least one field in which cooperation can and has been achieved. We are hopeful there will soon be more -many more.

Those among our readers looking for ideas that can be put to constructive action to stimulate in' creased and more profitable sales, would do well to keep in touch with FPPC developments through the medium of the Wood Promotion Bulletin.

Size Stondords Browl

,THE LUMBER standards, due to be dropped from I the government's list of standards on September 15 if the lumber industry can't agree on sizes, are making more news by their continuing ability to cause controversy.

For details on the industry's saddest story see the WWPA convention rundown on page 12 and a re' port of the standards committee on page 26.