South ern California Dealers Meet

The convention of the Southern California Retail Lumber Association was held at the Hotel Huntington, Pasadena, California, on Friday and Saturday, April l0-ll, L942. There was a large attendance.

Friday Afternoon

The Friday afternoon business sessron was called to order by A. E. F'ickling, retiring president, who extended greetings to the lumbermen and guests. He then turned the gavel over to Presidentelect Harry E. Whittemore.

President Whittemore ap- pointed the following to serve on the Resolutions Committee: Frank N. Gibbs, Everett C. Parker, Earl John- fn conclusion he stated: "Regardless of whether you stay in the lumber business or find a better place, there is still your responsibility as a citizen.

Kenneth Smith. president of the California Redwood Association, San Francisco, was the first speaker, his subject being, "What Is Ahead for the Industry." Discussing the "stop order" on non-essential building, Conservation Order L-4l,he said: "You do not need me or anybody else to tell you what this means in its broad outlines. Dealers who are participating in defense housing have plenty of volume now, and rvill have for the rest of the year, and in the declining volume for a part of next vear, but you have observed undoubtedly that this business is increasingly concentrated in the hands of big builders.

"In Southern California most of you have a much better prospect than the rank-and-file of dealers all over the country of securing a substantial volume of over-the-counter tride. The faimer will be a beneficiary of inflation and should have money for the improvement of his property throughout the war, although of course, all types of farmers will not be equally prosperous.

"Then there is a tremendous volume waiting for the enterprising dealers in the 25 or 30 thousand new home owners who will have money to fence and beautify their property. Benches, pergolas, lath-houses, barbecues, seats, fences, gates, compost bins, retaining walls, raised gardens, green houses, terraces, tables, curbing, and plant shelters will be built, and the quantity can be multiplied bv salesmanship.

"The remodeling market is probably going to be limited by the same regulations that affect new building, but the maintenance market and heavy industrial activity should provide satisfactory volume for dealers who cater to these two types of building."

"Victory cannot be bough,t. It will be won by management, machinery and men. We can win the rvar only by burning away the fat lethargy of the American soul, only by achieving a stark realism of what ALL OUT WAR means in sacrifice and work. We can win the peace only by courageous acceptance now and for the rest of our lives on the responsibilities of citizenship which rve have so long shirked."

A. R. Thomas, Priorities District Manager, Bureau of Field Operations, War Production Board, Los Angeles, stated that the priorities system is a method of directing the flow of materials where they will do the most good to win the war. He discussed the various priority orders, method of procuring priorities for defense housing, Conservation Order L-41, and the functions of the Board's Los Angeles office. Speaking of the future, he believed the situation will be worse before it gets better, and there will be no improvement until there is some definite turn in the war. Following his address, G. R. Squires of the War Production Board's Los Angeles office, answered a number of questions.

Friday Evening

A dinner dance and fun festival was held in the Crystal Ballroom, Hotel Huntington, Friday evening with Lathrop K. Leishman as master of ceremonies. There was an excellent floor show; after which Earl Galbraith awarded the prizes to the winners in the golf tournament. The attendance prizes for the ladies were won by Mrs. H. R. Ring, Los Angeles; Mrs. Frode Kilstofte, Wilmington, and Mrs. Art Jensen, San Diego.

Saturday Morning

H. Park Arnold was cl-rairman at tl-re Saturday morning session.

Capt. W. G. Bingham, District Director, Federal Housing Administration, Los Angeles, talked on "Private Housing." He predicted that 100,000 more people will be employed in the Los Angeles area in the next ten months and that they must be housed. He outlined the limitations to defense building, saying the homes must rent for not more than twenty per cent of a rvorker's salary, must be within two miles or walking distance of a defense plant or a similar distance from transportation not costing more than forty cents a round trip or requiring more than two hours' round trip traveling time.

George Riddle, architectural engineer, Federal Housing Administration, Los Angeles, discussed heating equipment for FHA houses.

Only other speaker at the morning session u'as Verne Orr, vice-president of the Chrysler Corporation and consultant professor of marketing, Stanford University, who told the gathering that "it is essential that we put personal liberties and our standard of living in escrow for the duration.

FIR-REDWOOID

Rcprcrcnting in Southcrn Calilornia: Thc Paclftc Lumbrr CompanpVcndling-Nathan Co.