Building Materials Exhibitors Plan Bis Shows for 1941 Conventions

With 1941 promising new peaks and new problems in building construction of all kinds, the annual conventions beginning in January take on unprecedented significance, according to W. C. Rodd, publicity chairman of the Building Materials Exhibitors Association.

Well aware of the unique conditions ahead in the building industry, officers and executive secretaries of the individual associations are leaving nothing undone to provide every opportunity for their members to secure the utmost in information, ideas and helpful contacts at the annual meetings of.194L.

Over the years, exhibits of materials with their attendant demonstrations of new applications, new uses and new techniques, as discovered and perfected by the manufacturers' research departments, have become increasingly important as a component part of the modern convention. The fundamental purpose of the convention meeting is to exchange ideas and originate new ones. In the building industry, new ideas and methods are, in the main, directly connected with the materials used by the builder and sold by the dealer. It was this close relationship that originally prompted the dealer associations to invite manufacturers to display their products in conjunction with the regular business meetings.

This year will see finer and more complete displays than ever before, according to Nlr. Rodd. In view of conditions facing the manufecturers brought about by heavy demands for emergency defense materials, closer ,cooperation than 'ever is most essential between manufacturer and distributor to insure satisfactory fulfillment of regular demands. Consequently, exhibitors are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring to lumber dealer association members exhaustive information on new products, new uses of existing products and nerv thoughts on merchandising.

At no time has complete market information been so necessary as it is now and will be throughout 1941. For this reason practically all exhibitors will have executives of their respective companies present. This will afford the dealers an oppoftunity to meet and talk directly with the men responsible for policies and procedures in the materials manufacturing field. Mer,chandising executives, sales manag'ers, advertising managers and others will be there to discuss personally the industrial and individual problems of association dealers.

Men prominent in association and convention affairs, repeatedly say the dealer who does not plan his convention time to include adequate allowance for investigation and inspection of his suppliers' materials exhibits, receives but a portion of the possible return on his expense money invested to bring him and his personnel to the meetings. Contacts established at the booths widen the dealer's outlook and afiord opportunity for him to ass along product suggestions and needs as he sees them directly ftom the consumer sales front. Mutual discussion of needed improvements are of utmost importance to both dealer and manufacturer. The convention provides .the time and place to talk things over away from the press of regular daily business affairs.

The Exhibitors' Association joins with the Dealers' Associations in urging every member to attend his state or sectional convention this coming year. Closer attention to the detail of merchandising, sources of supply, judicious advertising, and more comprehensive sales service will be :necessar] to meet 1941 conditions in the building market. Complete familiarity with manufacturers' lines and understanding of their policies will aid greatly toward that end. Attendance at all convention business sessions plus a thorough examination of exhibitors'displays will equip dealer members to serve their buying public with increased satisfaction to the customer and wider profit to themselves.

Exhibitors are sparing no expense in preparing new ancl attractive displays in order to make the coming meetings enjoyable as well as practical. Progressive dealers 'rvill not slight this informative part of their convention program.

THE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF'THE ROAD

By Sam Foss

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn, In the place of their self-content, There are souls like stars, that dwell apart In a fellowless firmament;

There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths Where the highways never ran, But let me live by the side of the road, And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by,

The men who are good and the men who are bad, As good and as bad as I;

I would not sit in the scorner's seat, Or hurl the c5mic's ban,

Let me live in a house by the side of the road, And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road, By the side of the highway of life, The men who press with the ardour of hope, The men who live by sti{fe; But I turn not away, for their smiles and their fears Are parts of an Infinite Plan, Let me live in a house by the side of the road, And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by, They are good, they are bad, they are wealr, ttey are strong, Wise, foolish-so am I.

Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat, Or hurl the cynic's ban?

Let me live in a house by the side of the road, And be a friend to man.

NE\^| YEAR'S DAY WITH THE SOLDIERS

The orderly officer was inspecting rations. "Any complaints?" he asked.

"Just taste this, Sir," suggested a private.

"ft tastes like very good soup," said the officer.

The private said: "Yes, Sir. But the Corporal says it,s tea; the cook says it's coffee; and I just found a scrubbing brush at the bottom of the kettle."

A New Year Suggestion

!\'ORK a little harder.

SMILE a little oftener.

THINK a little straighter. SERVE a little better.

CONSIDER the other fellow a little oftener.

AFTER NEW YEAR'S

The famous old story of the Kentucky Colonel who was asked how he felt New Year's morning, and who answered: "I feel like Hell, Suh, like any gentleman ought to feel on such an occasion," is well seconded by this one, that is not new, yet never grows old:

It was New Year's morning, and the man in the living room chair had been making a decidedly large night of it. He sat with his head between his hands, and every nerve in his body quivering and twisting. Across the room came a small kitten, its little feet treading lightly as thistle-down over the thick, soft rug. But it did not seem that way to the sufferer in the chair. He glared wildly at the friendly little animal, and shouted savagely:

"San you blankety, blankety, blank elephant ! You either get to Hell out of here, or quit stomping your feet."

His Choice

From life's book of tears and laughter, I've gained this little bit of lore, I'd rather have a morning after, Than never have a night before.

DR. F'RANK CRANE'S NEW YEAR PRAYER

"Lord, let me have courage to ask Thee for things that I want. Deliver me from the clamping fear that makes men continually pray for things they think they ought to want, instead of for the things they DO want. I want more money, more brains, more beauty, more personal prowess, more spiritual vigor. F'rom the whole ocean of my soul and body this craving for power goes up like an exhalation."

You Too

Perhaps he sometimes slipped abit\life[, so have you.

Perhaps some things he ought to quitWell, so should you.

Perhaps he may have faltered-why?

Whn all men do, and so have IYou must admit, unless you lieThat so have you.

He Found Out

A colored man was caught trying to sell insurance without a license, and was hauled before the insurance commissioner.

"Don't you know," demanded the commissioner, "that you can't sell insurance in this town without a license?"

"Boss," said the colored one, "dat splains de mattah. I done foun'out dat I couldn't sell none, but I did'n know whuts de reezin wuz ontil you tole me."