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It is-that rnethods by which Royal Oak Flooring is produced take nothing for granted. Every step from raw material to branded bundle is checked and rechecked. Frequent testing of each kiln charge, critical selection of flooring oak after seasoning, constant measurements lor accuracy during machine runs, final grading before bundling lll nrust conform to Crossett's prestige standarcls. In sirort, Royal Oak Flooring provides guiid craftsmansl-rip applied to quantity production to supply you and your customers tvith the highest achievement in fine hardrvood floors.

timber protection, and modern harvesting had not fully penetrated our thick skull. ***

We were like the old fashioned doctor we once heard about. Two generations back the medical profession would give practically no water to a typhoid fever sufferer; and how marry millions of humans died of thirst before they found out how wrong they were, the Lord in His infinite mercy only knows. But one day a man who was burning up with typhoid proved.to be a free thinker, and thereby became a world benefactor. He said to himself, "If I'm going to die anyway, I'm going'to get me a drink FIRST." ***

So he crawled out of bed when no one was watching and got a big pitcher of ice water, and drained it to the {regs. And when the frightened family brought the old fashioned doctor rushing in, he took his temperature and found it was lower; he took his pulse and found it was slower; and there was tnoisture on the fevered brow. But the old fashioned doctor couldn't even see this bright light that the Lord Himself was holding up in front of his eyes. He just threw up his hands and said: "My God, what a constitution this guy's got !" ***

But time prevailed and today the entire lumber industry is trying to do the things with regard to tree growing that Henry Hardtner was telling them fifty years ago. And that other great prophet, Charlie Buckner lived to see his'own mighty prophecies with regard to the future of plywood, fully sustained. *t* we have written "uool nL;*" times in these columns, and probably will in future even though he is gone, because we believe that he deserves recognition and credit from the Fir plywood industry. We have known few men of great vision during our 6fty years senring and writing about the ltrmber industry, and he was a toP one. It would be an act of pure justice if the Fir plywood industry would in some definite fashion memorialize Charlie Buckner. If the industry belonged to us we'd build him a monument. Great men come seldom, and he was sure one. ***

He has been dropping into our office at frequent intervals since 1925, at which time Harbor Plywood hired him as research and sales engineer. And we came to recognize in him a master in his chosen profession. He believed right from the start-and that was in the days when plywood was almost utterly unlrrown-that you could make anything out of Fir plywood with .the possible exception of chocolate ice cream. He admitted no limits to the possibilities of his chosen commodity.

We wrote about him on this same space back in 1943, these words: "Verily this Charlie Buckner is a prophet in his own right. And this is one time and place where the Biblical statement that 'a prophet is not without honor save in his own country,' doesn't hold water. In his own country-the plywood production country-he is known as prophet, engineer, economist, merchandiser, and all-around plywood specialist. He knows his stuff from all angles, scierttific, practical, and otherwise. We have come to the conclusion after long years of watching and listening to him and noticing how his opinions turn out, ttat he comes aboutas near knowing'his stuff as any man we evcr knew." We still think so.

***

With a commodity that in 1925 was about as crude and experimental as anything ever was, he still saw the light. He saw plywood used in as many fashions as it is now, improved and scientifically prepared for hundreds of specific uses as it is today, and sweeping thc building world as a material giant long needed. That, according to our notion, is what the word "prophet" means. If he wasn't one, then theie have never been any.

***

So we cdt attention again to these two great men in tbe lumber industry who solved problerns whose answcrs were not to be found in the back of the book.

Clint Laughlin Establirhec Wholesale Lumber Burincrc

C. J. "Clint" Laughlin, t'ell known Southern Caliiornia lumberman, announced June l, 1953 he had established his own *'holesale lumber organization tvith offices at l35O North Highland, Hollyu'ood, California.

Mr. Laughlin started his lumber career rvith the LongBell Lumber Company over forty-five years ago in Louisiana and came to California in l92l to rvork for the same organization. During the many years he rras rvith the Long-Bell Company he served in practically ererv capacity from "\\/histle Punk" to production foreman. then on to sales promotion and purchasing. During his thirtv-trvo years in California he has handled sales and purchasing for various large lumber concerns and isrrell knon'n throughout the wholesale and retail business.

Procurement offices have been opened in Orinda. California, to assure a steady florv of materials from the millsRalph Reid u'ith many years' experience in the purchasing field in Northern California, Oregon and Washington has been placed in charge of the purchasing headquarters for the new organization.

"We intend to sell properly graded lumber to the retail dealers only in Southern California and s'e have established an organization of experienced lumbermen to offer this service," declared Nfr. Laughlin. "Our lumber rvill be shipped from reliable mills and u.e rvill stand behind and guarantee every stick s'e ship." he continued.

I. K. McCormick Visits Ios Angeles

J. K. "Ken" McCormick, of Charlestos'n. IUass., a member of the rvholesale hardrvood firm of \\'inde-IfcCormick Lumber Companlr, Inc., u'as a recent visitor in Los Angeles. He makes an annual trip \\rest to call on his lumber friends. He spent much time in Los Angeles s'ith Frank _T. Connollv and \\'alter Scrim.