Statement on the Housing Probl em

Bv S. L. Forrest, President, National Retail Lumber Dealers Associarion

No group connected with supplying the homes of the nation is more fully arvare of the shortage of homes than the 25,000 retail lumber dealers located in every torvn and hamlet of the nation, for they are normally responsible for 6O per cent to 70 per cent of the housing built.

I-umber dealers are now l>uilding up to the limit of materials and labor, but these at present are inadequate.

It is our belief that the labor shortage will correct itself as more men are released from the services, but the material shortage still depends largely on. the actions of government.

OPA, while set up to serve a worthy cause, is, by its lack of practical and realistic application of sound policies, materially holding back production.

OPA's pricing policy is still largely the same as before V-J Day. In all the major species, except one, it has exactly the same price schedule in effect now that it used in getting production for war supplies. The industry has pleaded with OPA to revise this policy and put the ernphasis on the items needed for home building, rather tl-ran things needed for shipbuilding, boxing, crating, etc., but to no avail. OPA refuses to take suggestions on this point from the grorlps lvho actually produce the homes, preferring rather to follow its own unrealistic policy which is the greatest single factor today blocking the solution of the lumber shortage problem.

The lumber dealers have not fought OPA and price ceilings up to now, but we feel that our first duty is to those who need homes. We have now come to a critical position where we must tell the public the real truth. OPA must be made to change its policy, or it must be done away with. Nothing will head off inflation like production of housing and this is what we must have. Nothing must be allowed to stand in the way.

The most potent lobby in Washington today is the OPA lobby and those supporting socialized housing. These groups are determined to keep controls in their hands rather than give private industry such assistance as government can. This is a time when all forces in the nation must work together to get housing, and Congress will have to step in and reform OPA or kill it. It is our belief that its reformation at the present time would be preferable, but its "obstructionistic" policies must be stopped if we are to produce houses in volume. It is unfortunate when a government agency gets so far away from the constructive course for which it was set up by Congress. However, since Congress set it up, Congress can force a change of policy, or it can do away with the office. The way it now operates, the remedy is worse than the disease.

It remains to be seen what the proposed priority for veterans will accornplish. The crying need, however, is production and all other moves, at best, are only sedatives and stop-gap measures. W.ith OPA rests the greatest responsibility for production. The retail lumber dealers hope the OPA can be made to realize this, and forced to act before the wrath of the American people and Congress forces its abolition.

Export of lumber should be stopped until the critical housing shortage is relieved.

No industry should be given a price advantage over housing-and this is now being done. Railroads are an example of this.

The NRLDA membership has been and still is behind any practical program that will lead to production of the maximum number of homes. Ffomes must be built for our returning veterans. It must be remembered, however, that rve can only build up to the supply of materials available.

Government must recognize that homes are built by taking appropriate action and not by giving lip service to an industry. Ideologies must not be allowed to interfere with constructive action.