The Choice of Solomon

I have been told that this story is true. For that I can't vouch. But that it easily COULD be true, will be generally admitted.

Various government war agencies ganged up on a small mill man, and brought him into the Federal court. They charged him with violation of all the rules and regulations the various bureaus had laid down, governing the sawmill industry. They had a clear case. When they finished with their evidence, it was certain that there could be but one verdict.

When the defense took its turn, the sawmill man acted as his own lawyer. With the judge's permission he went out and came back with his arms piled high with unopened envelopes. It developed that they were all the mail, orders, regulations, amendments, and rules that had been mailed him in a year's time. Then the defendant said:

"Judge and gentlemen of the jury, I've been listening to the evidence the government has presented, and it looks to me like I've done everything they say I have. And all I can do about it, is to tell the truth. A year ago my mill' was shut down, and the Army and Navy got after me to start it up and cut them some lumber. So I did. I've got a small mill. I'm my own foreman. I'm my own filer. Sometimes I'm my own sawyer. I just work all over the

By Jack llionne

place, seven days a'week. This government mail begun coming in in heaps. And I made up my mind that I had to do either one of two things. I had to read this mail and NOT run my mill, or run my mill and NOT read this mail. I couldn't possibly do both. So I decided to be patriotic and run my mill. And I haven't read a one of these rules and regulations. And that's all there is to it."

The story is that the jury turned him loose. f .can't, , vouch for that. either.

Buys Pcrrtner's Interest

R. C. Sand has purchased the interest of his partner, R. -{.. Cole, in the Cole Door & Plywood Co., lO49 E. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles.

The business will continue under the same name. FreC E. Kopplin, formerly with The Red River Lumber Co., of Los Angeles, is now associated with this firm.

Their line has been expanded to include windolvs and frames in addition to doors and plywood.

A. W. Barz, former millwork man with Red River Lumber Co., has taken space from Cole Door & plywood Co., moved his equipment there, and is doing the same type of detail millwork as formerly.