Your Option

By Orrie W. Homilton, Secretcny-Mcrnoger Southern Cclifornia Retoil Lumber Associotion, Los Angeies

It is currently apparent that some members of the lumber industry are unwisely celebrating the removal of price controls by boosting prices and service charges beyond reason.

Some dealers are reported to be contributing to this inflationary spiral by offering to pay higher prices than the producers had reason to expect. Also. some of the wholesalers are said to be collecting orders from dealers at excessive pri,ces with the expectation of placing the orders with producers at an attractive price. On the other hand, some of the producers who are thought to have dealt in the black market are now soliciting business at prices no person in his right mind would want to pay.

While it is admitted that some of the inequities created by OPA must of necessity be corrected at both the production and distribution levels, sound logic dictates that if unreasonably high prices become general and cause a run- away market, the industry stands to lose public confidence which is so badly needed.

If this happens, the left-wing boys will undoubtedly lose no time in trying to convince the public that it made a grave mistake in taking action which led to decontrol of wages and pri'ces. This can be expected. llowever, the industry should not lend encourag'ement in that direction.

While it is realized that the lumber industry has a small minority of fly-by-night operators and get-rich-quick boys, who will-if encouraged, bring discredit to the industry, it is known that the vast majority of lumber producers, wholesalers and dealers, which make up the lumber industry, take personal pride in doing things that i,vill bring credit and respect to the industry.

Now is the time for all members, in each segment of the industry, to use self-restraint in their buying and selling practices. They would serve the public and industry's interest better by-

1. Resisting as far as possible inr,varranted price increase ;

2. Rejecting offers that will lead to further inflation;

3. Using self-restraint in establishing and carrying out their own pricing policies, and also

4. Effecting savings in operational expenses so as to assure a lower price to the public.

The industry will reap what it sorvs-either lasting prosperity and respect, or a business recession and disrepute.

Northern Ccrlilornic Retcrilers Have Directors' Meeting

The board of directors of the Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California met at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, December 6. President George Adams, Noah Adams Lumber Co., Walnut Grove, Calif., presided. Members of the association rvere invited to attend the meeting.