New York Lumber Dealers Oppose New Standards

In a strongly worded statement, the Greater New York Lumber Industries, Inc., trade association of lumber distributors in the Metropolitan New York area, has taken exception to proposed changes in lumber size standards which are to be considered at an early meeting, possibly in September, of thl American Lumber Standards Committee in Washington.

Terming this "the heighth of BAD PUBLIC RELATIONS in an industry rvhich is in dire need of all the public support it can get and sustain/' the association feels that far too little-if any-consideration has been given to the problems which will arise at the retail and wholesale level if the new, smaller-sized, standards should be put into effect. This is particularly true of the proposals to reduce nominal 1,, thick boards to fu", and 7' lumber to only lfn' thickness.

As Simon L. Miller, President of Greater New York Lumber Indusfries, points out in discussing some of the practical aspects of the ntatter, "Explaining to a customer today's skimpy 2 x 5's is bad enough. How do you think they will react to that same lumber when it is only Il" thick? The public resents being cheated in any form or fashion, and we believe this u'ill be their violent reaction to such changes. The entire industry is going to find this out the hard way if these standards are changed."

Lumber dealers. wholesalers and related trade associations are rallying to the cry of the Greater Nerv York Lumber association in its efforts to prevent adoption of these new standards.

Objections Outlined

Aside from the potentially damaging public relations aspects, coupled with their economic consequences, the following were cited by the New York lumber trade association in opposition to the new standards: l. STORAGE PROBLEMS. Lumber yard storage problems are complicated enough without adding multiple sizing necessitating' more space.

2. OPERATIONAL COSTS. Increased inventories will require investment of scarce capital dollars, plus in- creased costs in the physical handling and tabulating of these inventories.

3. BUILDING CODES. Compliance with various codes and maintaining harmony with their enforcement officials follows well-established patterns. Changes would open a Pandora's box better left closed !

4. PRICES. Customers will have every right to expect decrrcased charges for smaller-sized lumber, though the trend has ever been upu'ard. Furthermore, competitive situations may require dealers to carry both the old and the new sized materials.

5. SALES. Profits (or losses) stem from customer acceptance of our products. Depressed sales at the retail level inevitably escalate upward to the wholesalers and eventually reach the manufacturers.

Architects, Engineers, Contractors Also To Be Afrected

Aside from the lumber dealers and wholesalers, who stand to be affected economically by the introduction of new size standards, at least three other groups should be vitally concerned vuith these proposed changes. They are

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