N-AWLA Plans TOth Annual Meeting May 8-10

"Key to the Future" is NationalAmerican Wholesale Lumber Association's theme for its 70th Annual Meeting in Chicago, MaY 8-10, 1962. APproximately 300 r,r'holesalers, mill men, ind euesti are expected to attend the three--day session at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, according to J. J. Mulrooney, Executive Vice President.

E,mphasis will be Placed on examinine the distribution channels now existing in the forest products indu.stry. The first panel discussion will biine together an outstanding group of nianuf-acturers from Southertr Pine,

\Arestern Pine, West Coast, Redwood, and Canadian regions. Topics such as the following will be discussed: How do manufacturers regard present distribution systems in maintaining wood products in the market? What can we do to strengthen the existing distribution channels to improve the position of our products? A panel of wholesalers from different sections of the country will approach the same subject from the wholesaler's viewooint on the second day of the meeting.

Nlodern marketing methods rvill be explored with excellent panel discus-

Jock Dovidson Testifies Before Woys & Meqns Committee; Urges Support of Administrolion's Trqde

"NIy entire business life has been in the piywood industry. Presently I am a prinlipal in a- domestic Douglas fir ply'"r'ood manutacturtng company' a flywood distributing company' 11d ixecutive vice-presidint of the Pacific Wood Prodrrcts ComPanY, a substantial importer of hardwood plywood."

Thesi were the oPening words of Tack Davidson, speaking on behalf of ihe Impotted Hardwood Plyrv-ood^As^sociation and in suPPort of HR 9900 before the House of Representatives Committee on Ways & Means in Washinston, D.C., March 30, 1962'

Davidion stressed the difference between hardwood plywood and softwood plvwood, noting that "There is no plywood being imported into this country which is similar in nature and use to the vast softwood plyrvood production on the West Coast. Douglas fir PIYwood is a structural Product for a variety of building uses in floors, decks, roofing and cabinet work' Its inherent sales Jharacteristic is not in its beauty. but in its structural strength and utility. It is not considered suitable for natuial finish and it has no inherent beauty in its natural state." Davidson told the Committee.

Davidson also answered a charge made by Congressman Knox duling the first day of hearings which rl-ealt rvith the closure of some Atlas Plywood Company mills in Northern Michigan, due to the imPact of imported hardwood plywo'od on the market:

"At one time I was President of a wholly-owned Atlas Plywood subsidiary,;' Davidson qualified, "and I rvas rather intimately connected with their operations througout the Northeast, tFe South. and the lltiddle \Mest. Atlas operated two mills in Newberry and I\4unising, Michigan (the mills in question), which produced only con- tainer grade plywood in the small sizes and low grade suited for the packaging of such products as refrigerators, water-heaters, etc. The packaging of these products has now been captured by the corrugated paper industry, or the v'ire bound box industrv. both of which are domestic. No imported plywood is going into containers. So the closing of these two mills was the result of domestic competition," Davidson emphasized. sions on materials handling techniques and a special session devoted to explaining- the role of Associations in inarketing of lumber. Mr. Thurman Sensing, Execrrtive Vice President, Southein States Industrial Council, will discuss the position of today's business men in relation to governmental activities. Dr. Laurence J. Taylor, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan, will crystalize the thinking rturing the three-day meeting by conducting a participation conference. All lumbermen are invited to register and frrlly participate in the business sessl011s. into the mass market at the price level of imported panels," Davidson disclosed.

Davidson further pointed out that hardwood plywood imports have stimulated the entire hardwood plywood industry and created a much broader market, principally by "bringing decorative plywood paneling out of the board room and onto the walls of the working man's home."

In summation, the IHPA spokesman told the Committee on Ways and Means that "This general stimulating effect of imports oro the domestic economy is not limited to hardwood plyvvood. N{any other imported commodities have the same effect, and that is why, in the general interest, we support this (HR 9m0) proposed legislation."

Hoo-Hoo-Ette No. I Nominqtes Officers

Noting that it is entirely possible for the domestic hardwood plywood industry to compete with imports, f)avidson cited the case of Jones Plyrvood & Veneer Company of Eugene. Oregon. "This dynamic company six or seven years ago rvas wholly a producer of softwood plywood," Davidson noted. "but by resourcefulness and the utilization of-veneers brought in from the Philippines, they grew to become the world's largest producer of Philippine mahoganv plywood-and at a price level which we as importers found most difficult to meet.

"Others in the rnid-West have also demonstrated a like resourcefulness and have utilized veneer core stock and face veneers from various parts of the world in combination with their own manufacturing facilities and knowhor,r' to make substantial penetration

Hoo-Hoo-Ette Club No. 1 meeting was held at Julie's Restaurant on April 9th. The Nominating Committee read their recommendations for officers for the coming year and nominations were also received from the floor. Members rvill vote on the nominees by mail and arlnouncement of elected officers will be made at the May meeting, with installation to follow in June.

This Club has several members who have been in the lumber industry for over forty years and all are eligible to atterrd the pieneer Breakfast to be held in May. The members of this distinguished group are: Ann Baker, Oriirda Hazin, Alvina Boyle, Bessie Steu'art and Mabel Staser. All plan to attend the breakfast with the exception of Bessie Stewart who will be unable to attend.

The May 14th meeting will be held at Cockatoo Inn, 4334 West Imperial Blvd., (Hawthorne & Imperial)- This rvill be a clos,ed meeting for Concat rvith at least seven kittens to be initiated.