Sacra ento Valley Lumbermen's Club Meeting

The March 15 meeting was called to order by President Chapman, immediately after luncheon at the Travelers Hotel. The following firms were represented:

Friend & Terry Lumber Co., L,. H. Chapman, Sacramento; The Diamond Match Co., I. E. Brink, Chico; Hammond Lumber Co., F. C. Trace, San Francisco; Calif. Redwood Assn., R.F. Hammatt, San Francisco; Sacramento Lumber Co., F. E. Conner, Sacramento; Sacramento Lumber Co, J. W. S. Butler, Sacramento; Loomis Lumber Co., W. B. Dearborn, Loomis, Cal.; \\restern Door & Sash Co., J. L. Todd, Oakland; Sullivan & Larsen, L. P. Larsen, Rio Vista; Pac. Port. Cem. Co., H. C. Maginn, Sacramento; W. D. Thomas, W. D. Thomas, Sacramento; Redwood Mfgr. Co., J. P. Brewer, Pittsburg; L. E. Johnson Lbr. Co., Geo. N. Pfeuffer, Portland; Eagle Lumber Co., G. R. Bleecker, San Francisco; Booth-Kelly Lbr. Co., J. R. Neylan, San Francisco; Spaulding Logging Co., A.J. Miller, San Francisco; Booth-Kelly Lbr. Co., H. C. Henry, San Francisco; The California Door Co., Earl E, White, Folsom; Hutchinson Lumber Co., J. Hickok, Oroville; Hutchinson Lumber Co., A. E. Johnson, Oroville; J. M. Derr Lbr. Co., H. M. Derr, Elk Grove; Hendrickson Lumber Co., W.N. Baker, San Francisco; Coos Bay Lumber Co., W. A. Glenn, San Francisco; General Supply Co., Jas. Tully, Fair Oaks; Chas. R. McCormick Co., O. L. Russum, San Francisco; Auburn Lumber Co., E. T. Robie, Auburn ; Gerlinger Lbr. Co., Allan Turner, San Francisco; Cu'tter

& Lumber Co., C. A. Minard, Sacramento; Western Lumber Co., P. K. Holland, Sacramento.

A telegram from A. L. Porter, secretary, Western Retail I-umbermen's Assn., Spokane, Wash., was read as follows:

"Please convey to yorrr members our wishes for a very successful conference Saturday. I only wish it were possible for us to be present with you. The National Lumber Manufacturers Associatioh of the United States are taking up in very active fashion the second mortgage question, to see if they cannot tvork out some solution whereby the manufacturers might assist the home builder through the retailer. \Me are assisting as much as possible and appreciate the co-operation of the retail lumbermen in your territory, and hope those who are not members of the \A''estern will send us request to put thern on the roll."

The club members desired more detailed information on the subject before definite action is taken on the matter.

Mr. H. C. Maginn of the Pacific Portland Cement Co., announced that his company is building a new plaster mill in Nevada, and a new cement mill near Redwood City to greatly increase their production. He stated thata new film had just been produced, "Cement in the Making," and if the club members would like to see it, he will arrange to show it at any time on request.

Questions No. 4 and No. 5 on the Questionnaire Sheet which was recently sent to the club members was then taken up for discussion in whichthe members present participated.

Question No. 4. "Would a larger discount than 2 per cent for cash to all customers increase cash sales. make less bookkeeping, and ferver bad accounts ?" A few firms favor allowing 5 per cent for cash. Others who have tried it have discontinued it. Most retailers favor allowing only 2 per cent for cash, the same as allowed by whoLesalers. It was pointed outthatthe dealers could not afford to allow 5 per cent discount in order to increase cash sales without raising the retail price, and this would work to the advantage of competitors who adopt a lower list and give only 2 per cent or no discount forcash. The volume of cash sales depend largely on the salesman, for it in figuring the tag at the time the customer receives the material, he asks the customer if he wishes to pay for it, and states the amount, mahy cash sales would be made that otherwise rvould be "charge sales."

The question of trade ethics pertaining to what business should be classified as both wholesale and retail was disiussed. ;Wholesalers feel that the questionf shou'ld be definitely decided and the decision published so that everyone rvould knou'. Retailers feel that all inquiries for material used in territory served by retail yards, with rare exceptions, should be handled by retailers, regardless of the size of the job.

Question No. 5. "Is it good practice for dealers to guarantee to furrrish materials for a completed job, at a stipulated price, as practiced by millwork cohcerns, when furnishing'A Full Mill Bid."' The retailers ail seemed to oppose thispractice. It is considered obsolete, bad, and dangerous. It was pointed out, however, that there is still to be {ound an occasional dealer who will resort to this method to secure business. It invariablv leads to losses ', and dissatisfaction.

Mr. Hammatt, of California'Redrvood Association, was called on. He stated that the California Redwood Association is planhing to have 29 standard bill boards erected to advertise the use of redwood, and that these boards or road signs would be distributed in all the territory from Sbcramento to San Diego. He said that if retailers wished to co-operate by using standard road signs, and include a phrase about the use of redwood, that the association would pay 25 per cent of the cost of the sign. However, application would have to be made at once, as the budget for this purpose is being rapidly depleted.

The wholesalers present expressed their views oh the market cqnditions, and believe the bottom has been reached. Mills are' closing down, ahd logging camps are closing. Few transit cars are en route. Grays Harbor district is curtailing output to the extent of 2,500,000 feet per day. Log prices and wage scales remain unchanged.

Business ih Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys is very quiet. Building continues good in the San Francisco Bay district.

Walter Baker rvas asked to furnish the club with musical entertarrrment for the April meeting, which he consented to do, and promised would be good.

New Yardnear Compton

The Glover llouse Lumber Company has opened a yard at Davidson City, a new subdivision near Compton.

From the House of Quick Shipmenta

SITTIN'ROUND

Sittin' in the mornin' Under the cocoa tree, Wonderin' if you're nutty Cause you seem.to be.

Sittin'round at noon time Eatin' with your knife, Braggin' bout your leadin' Lion tamer's life.

Sittin' in the evenin' Under a pepper tree, VVonderin'if some pep, Will ever enter thee.

Livin' in this dreamland, Gazin' at the ground, God won't help you nowhere Just a sittin' round.

HOW A JAPANESE MERCHAN.T ADVERTTSES

They believe in,advertising, do the modern merchants of old Japan, and the way they word their inducements to the public to come and buy, is very attractive to ourrwestern ears. lfere are some excerpts from a recent copy of a Japanese newspaper:

"Our merchandise is forwarded with the rapidity of a bullet."

"Our marvelous paper is as strong as the hide of an elephant."

"You will be received in our store in a stupefying manner. Our employes are as amiable as a father trying to marry his daughter without a dot. You will be received like a ray of sunshine coming after a horrible day of rain."

But the best of the lot is this: "Our vinegar, extra quality, is more bitter than the anger of the most diabolic mother-in-law."

Still Worse

He was a young lawyer who had just started practicing in a small town, and the sign which he hung outSide his office door read:

A. SWINDLER

A neighbor saw the sign and said, "My goodnesS, man, look atthat sign. Don't you see how it reads? Put in your first name instead, whatever it is."

'

"I canlt do it," replied the lawyer resignedly.

'Why not?" asked the neighbor.

"Because my name is Adam," replied the lawyer.

MARSHALLFIELD'S SUCCESS MAXIMS

Marshall Field, th'e world's most successful retail merchant, said there were twelve things to keep in mind while working on the way toward success.

1. The value of time.

2. The success of perseverance.

3. The pleasure of working.

4. The dignity of simplicity.

5. The worth of character.

6. The power of kindness.

7. The infuence of example.

8. The obligation of duty.

9. The Wisdom of economy.

10. The virtue of patience.

11. The improvement of talent.

L2. The joy of originating.

Heard In Los Angeles

Mabel: "Who's your cook now?"

Grace: "Della."

Mabel: "Della who?"

Grace : "Della Katessen."