Deoler Spokesmon Endorses ;. Repeol of Tronsportotion Tox

Repeal of theFederal excise tax on transportation of p_roperty was endorsgd bt J. C. O'Malley, president of the National Retail Lumber -Dealers Associaiion, in a letter to S.e,natgg George. A. Smathers of Florida who, along with other senators, has introduced legislation to that effict.

In his letter, iVIr. O'Nlalley said: ,,I have read with a g'reat, deal of interest that you and other Senators have introduced legislation which. if enacted into law, *outa repeal the excise tax on transportation of property.

"As President of the National Retail Lumber Dealers Association, and on behalf of the thirty thousand retail lumber and building material dealers of tire Nation, I want to commend you for sponsoring this legislation.

"This tax was a wartime measure designed to discourage the use of our transportation facilitie.. Th. reason for tfie tax no longer exists.

"In fact, our ma jor solvent and everything the continuation of an railroads are fighting to remain possible should be done to assure adequate transportation system. - -'jT-h. 3/o exctse tax on the transportation of property falls heavily upon the shipment of lumber, building *it.ri-

1L.; ?t9, other products. sold by the average retail lumber and burldrng material dealer.

."This taxls necessarily reflected in the cost of everything that goes into the rew'house and all "th;;;;;;il;l;;:, wi.thout adding to the value of the.structure.

"Such a tax penalize-s the long-haul shipper and pyramids at each step of manufacture aid distribu^tion

"Much of our lumber must be shipped from the north_ west and south to markets a great distance from the aiea of production.

"Because the tax is a .fixed percentage tax on freight ch.arges-, the recent _{reight-rate increasi granted to ?t " ralfloads automatically increased the tax 3" ir.igh1.

"This tax affects every consumer, his home, his f8oJ, and everything that he lvears or uses.

"The tax is not only discriminatory as between different areas of the country, but as between large and small shippers. Y"ny smaller shippers must depira o" pulii. transportation systems entirely.

"$.epeal of the excise tax on transportation of property at this time will, I feel confident, provide a stimulus tb tfre economy, and increase the revenue of the railroads at a time when additional revenue is badly needed to provide a sound and healthy transportation .yite*.

"I sincerely hope that your efforti to repeal this burdensome tax will meet with success in the piesent session of the Congress."

Reynolds Metqls CutsAluminum Production on Decline in Demqnd

Richmond, Va.-Reynolds Metals Co. has started to cur- tail production of aluminum to adjust to current lower com- mercial requiremen^ts, although the annual meeting heard that first-quarter 1958 sales. were above the same igST oe- rj.".d n S. Reynolds. Jr., president, told stockholders'he drd no_t expect profits to remain good the remainder of the y^ea1. He stated that orders are presently running about 7O/o of production.

It was simultaneously announced in portland, Oregon, -t!l! B.ylglds Nletals Co. would curtail production ab"oui l^5/. by May I on a gradual reduction it the Troutdale, Ore., and Longview, Wash., aluminum reduction plants.

Russell Ells Hesds RRCC Gommiltee

Russell H. Ells, president of Willits Redwood Products Co., Willits, has been appointed chairman of the Membership and Finance cottt-ift.. of the Redwoo{Region Conseriation Council. announced Walker B. Tilley, RRCC president. In this capacity he will lead the activities of region lumbermen and-allied business, interested in obtaining [reater financial support for the for-est fire-prevention and Eonservation educafion programs of the non-profit organization.

This year will see increased activity in both fields, which will neiessitate increased participation by members of the forest products industries lo extend the public understanding of ih" ".o.to-ic importance of ourredwood and Douglai fir forests to region communities. Current p-lanning inciudes production 5f " l"tg.t assortm.ent of Keep Green materiais with more wideJpread distribution, and an in- creased number of educational aids and programs for region students and teachers.

- M.. Ells undertakes his new assignment equipped with a broad understanding of the forest industry's problems,.and needs in this area. He is at present a member ot the Uallfornia State Board of Forestiy and a member of the timber maturity board and Timber Taxation Study.Commission' Long active in Willits community-affairs, he is a past -.u6r. and nou' serves on the City Planning Commis-sion' He'*as first president of the Willits Rotary Club.and one of the chief organizers of the Little League baseball program there.

Stelzer Nomed Sqles Director

Martin Deggeller, president of Harbor Plywood Corooration, Aberdeen, Washington, announces the appolntment of R. L. Stelzer as director of sales'

Joe Frisco, the famous borrower. debts.