The Can Do's and the Can't Do's

By Jack Dionne

We discussed last issue in a general way what the retail lumber dealer can do under these war conditions-and what he cannot.

As this is being written, American boys are fighting and dying on the other side of the world in order that this nation may live. So let us begin with the assumption that we, who still live in our homes and go about our accustomed ways of life, are going to accept the trials that come to us, not only willingly but pridefully, and just do our durndest to help keep things right side up.

Right now we have warlike rules, regulations, and restrictions with regard to building, and it needs no prophet to declare that there will be others to come as the war effort speeds up. So it might be well to follow the advice of one William Shakespeare when he said "-awake your senses that you may the better judge."

Open a book on your desk so that two blank pages face one another. At the top of the left-hand page write the heading-"CAN'T DO"-and at the top of the right-hand page write-"CAN DO."

IJnder "CAN'T DO" put down the rules, regulations, restrictions, etc., that now affect the free progress of the retail lumber business. As new ones come in-and they will -add them to this list. Put these rules down in your mind as well as in your book. Stick to these rules. Respect them. Uphold them. Publicize them.

Under "CAN DO" put down those activities of the retail lumber dealer which are in no manner interfered with by war rules or regulations. Apply these "CAN DO'S" to your stocks, to your services, and to your business efforts, AND GET BUSY DOING THE THINGS YOU CAN.

Quit? Of course you won't have to quit!If you quit doing business, how could you employ your people, pay your taxes, buy bonds? No, friends, this war has got to be won at home, as well as abroad. The "CAN'T DO'S" lay down the pattern inside which you may operate your "CAN DO'S." But there is plenty of room within that pattern for you to do a lot of business, and give your trade a lot of service.

Remember, your trade and your customers need your advice NOW, in this time of emergency, more than they ever have before. YOU are the one to tell them IF and HOW they may obtain their building needs. THEY won't know what the regulations and restrictions are. But YOU will. And it is YOUR job to keep yourself informed-both as to what you CAN and CAN'T do-so that you can keep your trade informed and advised. It is YOUR job to apply every bit of brains, and intelligence, and common sense, and merchandising ability that you possess in order that you may do all the business you possibly can WITHIN THE RULES. You must know all that a man can do and what he can do it with, about repairs, improvements, and additions to existing structures; what can and cannot be done with regard to "critical materials." You must know what you can and cannot do in both defense and non-defense areas. In fact, there never was a time before when the retail lumber dealer needed to be so well informed about his business and so thoroughly on his toes, as he does today.

The good and the bad that happens to a retail lumber dealer this year is going to depend just as much on his own intelligence and activity as on the rules and restrictions that war thrusts upon him. I-et the "CAN DO'S and the "CAN'T DO'S" be your working chart.

Retreaded,Recapped and Uscd Tires Can Still be Sold, OPA Director Sayt

San Francisco, Jan. 17.-"Retreaded, recapped and used tires can be sold at present."

That was the statement made here today by Harry Camp, regional director of the Office of Price Administration, following reports that some dealers are withholding from sale tires in these classifications.

Camp pointed out that OPA had established a price ceiling for "retreadable" tire carcasses and retreaded and recapped tires, effective Monday, January 19, but that no ban had been placed on the sale of them. A ceiling price will be imposed on used tires in the near future, Camp disclosed.

Effective next Monday, Camp said, each retreaded or recapped tire sold must be accompanied by a statement to the purchaser reciting rvhether the tire has been retreaded, top capped, orfull capped; the market price of camelback used; and the depth of the non-skid tread at the center of the tire after completion of retreading or recapping.

All sellers of retreads and recaps, Carnp added, after 8 a.m. next Monday are required to post a list of maximum prices as determined by the emergency schedule. A copy of the OPA maximum prices for such sizes of tires he handles or such types of retreading or recapping operations'he may perform.

The schedule also has provisions to prevent the charging of unreasonable prices for special services, such as changing tires, and extending credit.

Camp declared that records must be kept by sellers of the sales of basic tire carcasses, and of retreaded and recapped tires, as well as for retreading and recapping work done. These records must include the date of sale, name and address of the purchaser, price per unit, market price of camelback used and the depth of non-skid tread at the center of the tire.

OPA Acts to Stabilize Retread Materials

Washington, D. C., Jat. l9.-Ceiling prices for the three grades of tire retreading material known as "camelback" that OPM has ruled are the only grades that may be manufactured hereafter, were established, in effect, today in telegrams sent out by Leon Henderson, administrator of the Office of Price Administration.

A formal schedule of maximum prices for camelback is being prepared and rvill be issued in the near future. In the meanwhile, according to the telegrams, producers are requested not to charge more than 28 cents a pound for camelback containing 57 per cent to 62 per cent crude rubber, 23 cents a pound for the grade containing 38 to 40 per cent and 18 cents a pound for the grade containing not over 20 per cent.

These maximum prices correspond to prevailing market levels for equivalent grades.

STUCCO J0BS that keep looking "like a million" BUILD BUSINESS FOR YOU

T\T l\ OTICE the way the goodlooking stucco jobs stand out on any street. Clean, smart-looking and with an air of permanence, you just lnow they build new busineEs for plastering contractors.

Help insure future volume by keeping a close check on quality. Just follow these simple rules:

See that the structure is rigid and well-framed that the base is O. K. that protective etruchrral details are properly designed that only stucco made with PORTLAND CD MENT or WATER-PROOFED PORTLAND CEMENT is used for all coate. and that it ie mixed, applied and cured according to approved methodg.

Write for NEW EDITION of our .,Plaltererrr Manualr" covering. latest apecifications and methods for making good stucco.