Arizona Retail Lumber Dealers Convention M.y 14-15-16, 1953

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Report by Secretary-Manag er G. R. Michaels

Indications are thltt the Ctlt.rr-ention just finished u'.is orre of the best in the histttrt' rlf the Associatirln.

Ketch Ketchersid, I'residerrt. kept erer.r-thirrg rolling e:<actly as schecluled. I)ick Henderson \\'as appointed Sergeant-at-:trnr.

l)rescott tlealers and their \-ir-es reallv put ()n :r progra!.i1 long to be reuremberetl-even goir:g so far as to havirlg Frank Hallier, llead Lunrber Clompanv in l'rescott' s'in the rvoodpecker.

liriclay's business session opened l'ith an irrvocittion brIteverend Kenneth I'orray, Pastor of the Grand Canvoir Communitv Church. A message of \\'elctlrlle s'as given by Dr. Harold Bryant, Superintendent of the Grand Canvolr National l'ark. E,. H. Petty responded' and Ketch made his annual report. s'l"rich brought the membership reallr- up t'r date or.r the actir-ities of the Association-past and presenr.

James C. O'I\Iallel-. our National l)ealer I)irector, therr made an excellent report on National and State legislatioir. and as chairman of the Convention Resolution's Committee, you u'ill see from the resolution, manY of the subjects covered.

Ralph Bruneau, \/ice Irresident of the Valley Nation:rl Bank made one of many excellent talks at the convention. He not only discussed "The Building Outlook and Financing 1953-54 in Arizona" but also pointed out to Arizon;t dealers our position in the National mortgage field' rvherein it requires $1.11 of outside money for everv one dollar of Arizona money to keep the construction industry r:f Arizona alive. He felt that the recent increased in F.H.A. and V.A. mortgages would be of considerable help' but stated that he felt a further adjustment l'ould take place after June 1, when the Government must float an additiontrl five billion dollar loan. All of this brought the metnbership to the realization that Arizona is part of the National picture and conditions, that exist here rvith regard to mortgage lending, are typical of the nation, rather than just to our state.

While the ladies rvere having their annual luncheon, presided over by Mrs. Ketchersid and attending a tour of the Grand Canyon Museum, and playing cards, the men went back into session to hear a talk by Walter B. Scott, credit manager of the United States Gypsum Company. who discussed the matter of credits (a difficult subject) in a most able manner.

He was followed by Ed Petty, rvho led a discussion on improving the net earnings of lumber yards. In addition to that, Ed made a very complete report on cost of doing business. rvhich s'as illustrated bv a chart. \\'e have haJ so man-\'calls ior this chart. that I am nos' making arrangements to have some duplicate copies made.

At 'l:29 p.m. (Frida)') six kittens rvere taken into HooHoo n'ith Bill Beal and Jess Stervart of Tucson, and Charlie \\-est and Earl Cox of Phoenix conducting the concatenation.

It is reported that the balance of the evening was spent' deep in the s'oods of Kachina Lodge. but evervone \\-xs on hand for the Saturdav morning session.

The Resolutions Committee submitted fourten resoluiions in addrtion to those of thanks and appreciation.

The first three deal rvith the itinerate peddler sitnation, u'hich is causing rnost dealers in the state considerable trouble. The fourth has to do rvith freight problems.

The fifth l'ras to do rvith a collection service nolv being made available to dealers in Arizona. Sixth and seventh both had to do rvith public housing-one on a national basis: the other on a state basis. Number 8, is about grade marking. Number 9. state taxes- one of our most pressing problems. Number 10 is a pat on the back to our National Assocation for the good job thev are doing. Ntrmber ll. 12, and l3 are all most important positions taken by our Association, s'hich naturally must be handled by our representatives in \\rashington. Number 14, the \\'orkmen's Compensation, as originall;r submitted called for a ceiling of $'100.00 per month, but after some discussion from the floor rvas amended to read $6m.m rvhich appeared to be a more realistic top monthly wage.

In presenting the resolutions, Chairman Jay O'Malley urged that the members present really give them alt some serious thought; u'here national legislation is involved, he urged that you drop a note to your Senators and Congressmen telling them exactly horv you feel. Where the matter is of state importance, he urged that you contact other merchant groups in your community and ask them to joi;r us.

Emron \\rright, Chairman of the time and place committee, stated that his committee rvas unable to arrive at decision on the only invitation received- that being from the San Marcos Hotel in Chandler. He urged that r*'e ask for invitations from other communities in Arizona, and that the report of this committtee be deferred at a later date-to be handled by the Board of Directors.

Harold Britt, Chairman of the Nominating Committee. then presented the follorving list of officers and directors {or the year, rvhich on motion duly made, seconded and carried was unanimously passed.