California Millwork Institute March 25 and 26

following subjects have already been issued in preliminary form, and. will come up for discussion and adoption at this afternoon's sesslon: a-Square-Head Frames b-Shaped-Head Frames c-Casework. d-Radius Moulding e-Turnerl Balusters and Posts f-Panelwork

A book covering all Sash and Door items is also ready for presentation.

The schedules which have been compiled represent, beyond question, the best pricing practice in existence. A11 are based on proved cost retords. They incorporate the best features of some half dozen books used in various markets of the state, and are easily understood and applied. By adopting them forthwith as the standard of the state, and putting them into immediate use, you will solve your most serious problem.

3. Territorial Rclations.

With "contact" established between individual members and between all markets of the state, plus a Price Guide that is standard in all markets, Territorial Relations stand next in order of importance. A representqtive committee is to be selected today to meet this afternoon for the purpose of formulating rules of conduct which are so sane and ethical that they will compel recognition and observance by every member.

The program of Territorial Relations will automatically encourage Standard Trade Practices acceptable to all.

4. Information Bulletins.

By reason of my work on the price schedules and traveling, this service has not been so active as heretofore. However, it will continue as vigorously as can be within the limits of the budget.

Under this heading the Board of Directors scheduled the "Millwork Dollar" as our most important piece of information, Thus far the response to questionnaires has not indicated that individual members agree with the Board's opinions, and I ask'that you give this failure your attention. A schedule of "Hourly Operation Charges" was named as'being next in importance.

5. Standardized Accounting.

Some 3O members are operating the Standardized Accounting System. This service is retained under Institute supervision, but as already stated is now financed by Mr. Niclas personally.

This work, as I view it, is one of our most rernarkable accomplishments and it should be pushed more than ever before. Undoubtedly its scope can be developed but there should be no effort to inject refinements except as they naturally develop. To those who have "pet ideas" of their own as to just what might be the proper procedure, may I not point out that "uniformity" is the thing most to be desired, and that our system now installed in 30 plants, is basically sound and practical, and produces more intelligent and useful information than any other standardized plan attemp.ted anywhere.

6. Manual of Millwork and Servicc Bulletins.

Compilation and publication of additional sections of the Manual has been temporarily abandoned. It will be resumed as soon as finances permit.

Contaci will be maintained with the architectural profession through the issuance of Service Bulletins from time to time, and- it will b1 attempted also to work out a closer relation with architects through the Branch organizations.

NEW ACfIVITIES

Certain new activities should grow out of today's and tomorrow's sessions. Several unlisted subjects which I submit for your consideration follow:

1. Licensing Contractors.

Assembly Bill No. 1050 (known as the Kelsey Bill) designed to eliminate ihe irresponsible contractor, deserves our attention and support. I suggesi the appointment of a committee to determine our-position and it it be flvorable to the bill, to draft a resolution and present it to lr{,r. Kielsey today or tomorrow.

2. Plant Irbpection and Rescarctr.

Why should we not copy, in part' the plan of Retail Research Association, which devotes a full day of its annual convention to a thorough study of all phases of the operations of a member department slore in-the city in which its convention occurs?

We could well affoid to set aside a half day of our program for a survey or inspection of the best plant in each convention city.The result! of the survey should be reported to the convention by a special committee which would take notes during the -inspection, bbth favorable to or opposed to the layout, machinery and processes emoloved. All delegates should. of course, take part in the inspectiori so that they iould intelligently follow the report and join in the general dijcussion. The management of the plant insp-ected, as welfas all members taking part in the survey, would profit immeasurably from this work. All would keep informed as to new developments and their success or failure to produce 9p to expectati'ons. Perhaps it would be possible to surv€y two plants each meeting, one large and one small, and have the delegates make their otn choice is to which oI the two plants they wish to inspect.

3. Credit.

Losses through bad accounts, from a partial survey of the membership based on the year 1926, arreraged nearly 1.2% of total salesa truly astounding drain on profits. A.ccounts Rdceivable. as a gen.r"l average, ar-e carried 90 days, which is at least 30 to 40 alays longer than sane credit procedure warrants.

T-his condition is general thropghbut the entire building industry, and neither the building trade nor the millwork branch can continue to absorb the burden.

A radical change in credit acceptance and extension must be resorted to. I again suggest, and will assist every Local Braqch that will accept thi plan, to inaugurate a system of issuing a monthly consotidated report of all "past due accounts" in each market. The report should show each .buyer's indebtedness as to current ac-

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SOME DAY.AND TODAY

One of the hardest things for most of us to do is to live the fullest in the present. 'We are ahvays thinking about rvhat we are going to do some day.

Some day we are going to visit Capri and sit in the sun where we can watch the bronze-bodied swimmers in the blue water.

Some day we are going to find time to read all those tempting books on the shelf.

Some day we are going to put fear out of our hearts and accept the universe with the certainty that the law is taking care of everything, ourselves included.

Some day we are going to do so many things we love to do.

But today, which is all the day we'll ever know, rve treat as something of no great value. Today we'll do what we can to pass the time away.

But tomorrow-ah, tomorrow will come trailing clouds of glory. But when tomorrow comes we find it is only today again.

And so life goes. That is why the rvise do their kissing rvhen they are young'

-Thomas Dreir.

HA\^/AII

Worthless treasures and priceless trash, Silver that gleams in the lightning's flash, Gold that the sunset spills on the sky, Gauzes and tissues in mists sailing by, Diamonds, a necklace of dew on the grass, Filigree silver in frost on the glass, Lace in kiarve-trees shadowing brooks, Riches a money-blind man overlooks, Perfumes of Araby scenting a lane, Opals that fall from the sky in the rain, Gold in the sands of a shallow lagoon, Platinum dripping cold-white from the moon, Silk in the rose petals flung on the breeze, Velvet in moss on the trunks of the trees, Day dreams and memories, moments acute, With thrice-distilled happiness-vagabonds loot.

-Don

Blanding.

A DE LUXE STqNOGRAPHER

"The stenographer we require," ran the ad, "must be fast, absolutely accurate, and must have human intelligence. If you are not a crackerjack, don't bother us."

One of the applicants wrote: "Your advertisement appeals to me strongly-stronger than prepared mustardas I have searched Europe, Airope, and Hoboken in quest of someone who could use my talent to advantage. When it comes to this chinmusic proposition, I have never found man, woman, or dictaphone who could get to first base with me, either fancy or catch-as-catch-can. I write shorthand so fast that I have to use an especially prepared pencil with a platinum point and a watercooling attachment, a note pad made of asbestos, ruled rvith sulphuric acid and stitched with catgut. I ru'n with my cut-out open at all speeds, and am in fact, a guaranteed, double hydraulic welded, drop forged and oil tempered specimen of human lightning on a perfect thirty-six frame ground to onethousandth of an inch.If you rvould avail yourself of the opportunity of a lifetime wire me, but unless you are fully prepared to pay the tariff for such service, don't bother me, as I am so nervous I can't stand still long enough to have my dresses fitted."

Did she get the job?

Integrity

The wolves and the jackals, seeking profit without rendering service, assume honesty and truth and succeed only as far as they can maintain the assumption. It is true that the cost of commercial dishonesty, like the cost of crime, is a serious burden to society; yet the proportion of dishonest business is gratifyingly small-probably never approaching two per cent of the normal transactions of commerce.

No business house can hope for success if it is not knor,vn to be dependable; if its staternents regarding goods and conditions cannot be accepted rvithout qualification; if its prices are not honestly adjusted. So the busineps man who must try for success finds this preeminent virtue almost forced upon him. He must be a man of integrity.

Nation's Business.