THE CALIFORNIA LUMtsER MERCHANT I".k Dionne,

Committee Tentotively O.K.'s Presenl Tqx Rote

TLe House Ways and Means Committee has voted tentatively to retain the present 25 per cent capital gains tax rate on the timber income of U.S. corporations. The committee thus turned thumbs down on the Administration's proposal. to repeal current timber capital gains provisions but pulled up short of.voting corporations the even lower rate tentatively approved for certain transactions involving timber owned by individuals.

Most timber income received'by individuals would continue to be taxed at a maximum of 25 per cent, under a committee action June 5. However, in the case of individual-owned timber held for three years. or more and then sold outright, the committee voted to put a ceiling oL l9L/z per cent on the effective tax rate, maintaining that such income would be what Congress considers a "true" capital gain. Under the committee's action of June 12, this advantage would not be extended to corporations.

tnstotlment Steoling Poyment Ptqn

Ben Bingham, president of Fortune Homes, Inc., southern California builders, has had his already considerable faith in human nature strengthened cven more.

Last week'he opened a letter that had neither a return address nor signature, not even initials. Enclosed were seven one dollar bills and a 504 piece, and the following message, which places the mystery writer right near the front of the blase ranks. 'oEnclosed find, $7.50 in cash.This is to coaer the cost ol sorne lurnber I stole lrom you. Sorry il it inconuenienceil you in any way."

We wonder if the writer would have sent this letter if he'd been aware that Bingham's company, Fortune Homes, Inc., uses over $10,000 worth cl lumber each day. Ben Bingham thinks so. S'e rather do. too.

This is being written on the l3th day of the month. Which brings to mind the fact that countless millions of people throughout the world have the superstitious belief that 13 is an unlucky number.

Perhaps you will recall this tremendous fact when you hear or read bitter criticism of the appointment of any American President. Our Chief Executive appoints an army of men while that infinite mind appointed only 12.

Few people stop to think that the entire history o{ civilization is based on the number 13. We mean, of course, the Bible.

The Bible is divided into two books-The Old and the New Testaments. The Old Testament is the history of the children of Israel'*i*** of mortal minds who

And, perhaps few Bible readers know how many children Israel had. He had 13, 12 sons and one daughter. The daughter's name was Dinah. She died an early and tragic death.

The New Testament is the history of Christianity. It is the story of an itinerant preacher and 12 men he selected to be his associates-l3 men in all.

So, both the Old and the New Testaments are the history two groups of 13 each, and they remade the world.

Wouldn't it be kind to remember this fact and realize what problems a finite mind has when contrasted with that infinite mind who nevertheless suffered a 25/o loss in his small group?

Many years ago, when Woodrow Wilson was President, a group of men were busy castigating him for the quality of many of his appointments. Then up spoke a distinguished lumberrnan of that time. His name was John Henrv Kirbv.

And he called to their attention the very facts stated above. He reminded them that an infinite mind appointed only a small group to assist him, and of that group stated above "Thomas doubted him, Peter repudiated him, and Judas betrayed him."

And he added o'Don't expect too much of have great numbers of appointments to make".

Here, we suggest, is something well worth thinking about. Only one man in our history has possessed an infinite mind. And with that infinite mind, he selected just 12 men, and he sufiered a 25/o lossinthose12' * * * * *

Thomas doubted him, Peter repudiated him, and Judas betrayed him.

Which reminds me of the first time I saw John Henry Kirby a long, long time ago. I asked a colored barber in an East Texas barber shop who that very handsome and impressive gentleman was, and I shall never forget the barbers' answer. He said: "That's John Henry Kirby, and when he crows, it's daylight in East Texas."

Lam-Loc Pecky Cedar Doubles Potential For Dealer On 39 Home Development

Textures On Both Exteriors And Interiors-When Aljiru Developers, Inc. dccided to crelte Hollywood Oasis to attract rveary suburbiin comnrutcls to tl'rc closc-in Hollylvood Hills, Lam-Loc Pecky Cedar was clcstincd to play a prorlinent role. Thc home designs callccl for extcnsivc use of textures on cxte rior accent arcas and on dcn. fanrily and living room walls. The tcxtures had to bc uttr:.rctive. unique and rcouirc little or no maintenancc. lt was detelnrinccl thit wood shbuld be used on several of thc nrodels to contrast with stone and texturecl marble called out on sontc of the designs.

Lam-Loc Pecky Cedar was a natural for the part. It met every spccification. and the dealer was able to supply l lumber product at half the cost of competitive n.raterials.

Because it rvas applicablc for both the exterior and interior requirements. he doublcd his opportunity to nake a sale. Grlnted evcry arca cloesn't ofTer the wide-screened potential of Hollyrvood, but dealcrs in many other conrnrunities lre frnding receptivc auclicnccs. Next time a print calls for texture. renrcnrbcr thc money nraking potential of Lam-Loc Pecky Ccdar.