Northern Retailers Hold \(/ar Conlerence

The retail lumber industry War Conference, held at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, on Saturday, March 27,by the Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California, was a distinct success. There was a large attendance of retailers, representative of all districts of Northern California, wholesalers, and suppliers.

A meeting of the board of directors was held at B:@ a.m.

President Ray Clotfelter presided at the morning session. Secretary B. B. Barber welcomed the large gathering and outlined briefly the manner in which the program would be conducted.

D. C. McGinness, Director of FHA, San Francisco, made the keynote address, stressing the necessity for each individual to support the war effort. He mentioned the cordial relations which have prevailed between his office and Northern California retailers, and stated his belief that the lumber business will be good in the postwar period as a result of the huge backlog of housing requirements that will develop.

Lewis A. Godard, Hobbs Wall Lumber Co., San Francisco, was moderator for the Government regulations panel. Many questions on the various regulations were asked by the moderator and answered by James A. Whiteside, regional housing specialist, War Production Board; Alfred T. Twigg, price specialist, Office of P.rice Administration, and J. Roy Willhide, district manager, Of6ce of Defense Transportation.

W. C. Bell, managing director of the Western Retail Lumbermen's Association, Seattle, presided at the afternoon session, and was also moderator for the commodities and merchandising panel.

W. W. Anderson, Anderson Lumber Co., Ogden, IJtah, president of the National Retail Lumber Dealers Association, addressed the conference on "What's Doing in Washington." He assured the retailers that they have a good in-. vestment in the office of the N. R. L. D. A. in Washington, and that the Association is doing excellent work for the retail lumber industry. He told of the work of the various committees and particularly of the one of which Paul Hallingby and W. C. Bell are members, that is working with the OPA, and said he hoped a retail price ceiling will be worked out. In conclusion he emphasized the necessity for doing research work in preparation for the postwar period.

The merchandising panel proved to be interesting and instructive, with questions asked and answers given on many subjects of vital interest to all retailers.

The panel consisted of James E. Mackie, National Lumber Manufacturers Association, San Francisco; Arthur W. Priaulx, West Coast Lumbermen's Association, Seattle; Bernard L. Johnson, American Builder, Seattle, and E. P. Hoener,'Western Building, Portland.

A question regarding the time when retailers may expect to be able to get more lumber brought the answer that possibly after July 1 demand for Douglas Fir lumber for war uses will slacken and some relief will be obtained, while the demand for California Pine for war needs shows no sign of lessening.

"How much of a factor will the prefabricated home be from now on ?" was answered by opinions that while great efforts will be made by concerns in the prefabricating business, this competition will only affect business in the extreme low brackets, and that more than ever home builders will want to express their individuality in their homes.

"Where can we get shingles?" was answered by the statement that today's production of Cedar shingles is only 56 per cent of normal as the result of log shortage, and that there is an increase in the production of Cedar lumber.

A question about the advisability of retail advertising in newspapers drew the emphatic answer that institutional advertising by the retail dealer is more necessary now than ever; that it is most important to create by advertising the idea that the retail yard is a friendly and reliable source for information on all building matters, also to keep the public informed that it is not unpatriotic to repair and maintain their homes.

A question on the subject of paint sales brought the reply that while many have taken advantage of the increased opportunities for selling paint, many others have not done so, and it was suggested that in view of proposed further limitation of the manufacture of paint, dealers should lose no time in making arrangements with a manufacturer for supplies.

"'What are the future prospects of the lumber retailer ?" This was replied to with the statement that the retailer has a definite place in providing service to the consumer, and that his prospects are good in the period following the war.

Many other questions were answered and the big audience showed its appreciation of this feature by hearty applause for the members of the panel.

Mr. Bell gave a brief talk on "Merchandising." The time is here for thinking about the future, he said, and there is an obligation on every retailer to help offset the plans of some men to take away a part of their business.

Opent Lumber Ollice

Charles E. Kendall has opened an office at 604 Petroleum Building, Los Angeles, and will be Southern California representative for the Van Deinse Lumber Sales Co. of Portland, Oregon. His telephone number is PRospect 8770.

Charlie has been associated with the wholesale lumber business in Los Angeles for many years and is well known to the trade. He was formerly with MacDonald & Bergstrom.