Votes Gift of Lumber |or \(/arm Springs Buildings-National Trade Promotion Fund

Washington, D. C., Jan. 31-The Lumber Code Authority, in session here, declared today that all its sessions were and had been open to the public, guaranteed contribution as a birthday gift to President Roosevelt of all the lumber and timber products required for the Warm Springs Foundation building, and adopted a proposed amendment to the Code permitting the Authority to enter upon a trade promotion campaign. The amendment, if approved by the National Recovery Administration, will authorize the Code Authority to assess an additional fee of not to exceed 5 cents a thousand feet (or its equivalent) of lumber for trade promotion purposes.

"The Lumber Code Authority considers its deliberations as being of a public nature," C. Arthur Bruce, executive officer of the Code Authority explained. "We are operating by authority of a law of Congress and our acts have an aspect of public legislation and administration. They should be and are open to public hearing and scrutiny. We have always welcomed the attendance of all persons who may be interested in our proceedings, whether on the score of personal interest or public concern. The only restriction upon this general rule is that votes of the Code Authority shall be taken in executive session. Even this restriction is in the public interest, as it aims at freeing members of the Authority from influences that may determir-re their votes by considerations arising from personal and business relations, as a member is sometimes called upon to sacri6ce private to general interest in determining his position in regard to Code policies.

"We hope that this 'open door' policy will contribute to industry and public understanding of the generally beneficial objectives of the Lumber Code and the sincerity and fairness of its administration."

Trade Promotion Fund

The Authority's unprecedented action in regard to national trade promotion came as a result of recommendations by its code administration committee, headed by John D. Tennant of Longview, Washington, who is also chair- man of the Authority. Discussion emphasized the desirability of stimulating building and of acquainting the public with the merits of u'ood as a housing material. This novel a.ction by a code authority was in the form of the following resolution:

"That the executive ofhcer shall file an appropriate amendment with the National Recovery Administration which will authorize the assessment of additional code fees of not to exceed 5 cents per thousand feet, or the equivalent thereof, for the purpose of conducting a national trade promotion program in the lumber and timber industries in an effort to assist in the President's program of stimulating 'building activities with its resulting absorption of unemployed labor."

This resolution will, it is said, bring to a head the NRA position regarding advertising and other promotional uses of code funds.

The Authority established a production quota for the first quarter of 1934 for the broom and mop handle division, and increased the maple flooring division's quota for the quarter by 10,000,00O feet. It also voted to ask administration approval of an amendment permitting withholding of production allotments from operators failing to submit code reports or pay code fees. A resolution was passed permitting administrative agencies to allot production on a monthly basis.

The Authority refused an application to exempt camp maintenance employes from the forty-hour-week limitation and also voted down a proposition to lower certain minimum wage rates.

Council Meets at Stockton

California Lumbermen's Council met at the Hotel Stockton, Stockton, February 10, for the Ciscussion of Code problems. President George Ley, Santa Cruz Lumber Co., presided.