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Among the Deolers
TULAR,E COUIMY DETAIJR CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL DISPI,AY
Arthur H. Kelly, manager of the Tulare County l-,umber Company at Visalia, believes in carrying his home-owning message direet to the people of his locality.
At the recent industrial exhibit conducted by the business men of Visalia the Tulare County Lumber Company had an interesting and attractive display. Practically every visitor to the show stopped at the booth to register. Mr. Kelly conducterl a drawing contest and the successful entrant was given a modern ironing board-the product of his yard. Competition among the housewives of Visalia was keen.
The register also provided space for the visitors to designate what particular building feature they were interested. in. And the expressions in this space proved frank and helpful. A majority, of course, were interested in homes; others in sleeping porches, garages, chieken houses and various small items of construction about the home.
Thus Mr. Kelly's office obtained the names of sevoral hundred live prospects with some specific information on what each prospect is likely to buy in the immediate future. Mr. Kelly reports that he has turned several substantih.I sales already as a result of his display. Ilis stroke of enterprise has proved fruitful and" profitable.
PIIOTOS SIIOW SIMPSON-GR,AY'S LONG RECOBI)
That the retail lumber business in California is by no means in its infancy is very forcefully impressed upon the visitor to the ofrice of the Simpson-Gray Irumber Company at Stockton.
Attraetively mounted on a. panel just opposite the door leading to the private office of "Charlie" Bird, the demon manager of the company, is a group of photographs of homes built in Stockton, some of them as early as 1853, and for which this ffrm furnished the lumber. Most of these buildings are standing today in a remarkably good state of preservation and speak volumes for the strength and durability of wood construction.
For three quarters of a century the Simpson-Gray Lumber Company has catered to the builcling needs of Stockton and vicinity. The Company stands high in the estimation of the community today as it clid when it was founded during the early gold-rush d.ays.
Mr. Bird, the present manager, is one of the real human dynamos of Central California. He has, at various times, served as official of the several lumber associations in the state and. is a thorough believer in assoeiation activities. He also came into more or less prominence a year or so ago when he discovered the original cabin occupied by Mark Twain in the Sierra foothills. It is his photograph of the old shack that is used in the official biography of the noted humorist.
MODESTO LUMBER CO. WII;I IIAVE NEW OFFICE WITII SAI,ES AI{D SER,VIOE DEPAR,TMENT
The Modesto Irumber Co., of Modesto, CaI., is one of the progressive lumber firms that is preparing to improve its place of business in an attractive way. They are planning the construetion of a new office of very modern eharaeter, and will install a modern display, sales and service room for better visualizing their building service to their local trade.
BAX,B LI'MBER COMPAI{Y PI,ANS OFFICE A}II) SER,VICE ROOM AT SANTA ANA
The Barr Lumber Co., of Santa A:ra, CaI., is beginning tfre construction of a new. mod.ern and. attractive offiee at fhe present location, including a display and service room lfor the convenience of their trade. These folks are strong merchandising enthusiasts, and the people of their town will be ofrered, a better-than-ever-service from them when the new office is completed
MOBCAN GIVES COMIVIISTEE CREDIT FO,R SUCCESS OF PIGNIC AT PASADENA
In his official &nnouncement for June, trt. [r. Morgan, seeretary-treasurer of the Southern California Retail lrumber Dealers' Assoiiation, reports on the success of the annual picnic held at Pasadena in May and pays his respects to the arrangements committee in the following language:
"I-iet us take off our hats to all the members of alt the committees who had charge, but we must lift them way up for the Arrangement Committee, consisting of our energetic President, William T. Davies, Chairman, and his associates, Frank L. Fox, George Bentley, and the Blanehard brothers. You all know them. They contributed in every way they could to make this a record event, even went down in their jeans.
"Can't mention all who helped, but we extend our hearty thanks to the Pasadena yards for the orchestra which played danee music all afternoon, and. for the paraphernalia for the sports."
If anyone else were making the report on the picnic it is certain that a big share of credit would be handed out to Mr. Morgan himself, as he displayed characteristic aptitude in working with the committee to make the affair the success that it was.
LABOR, TR.OI'BT.T'S ABOIII{D BAKER,SFIELI)
Building operations have been comparatively quiet in and around. Bakersfield this year owing to labor troubles. This is one of the few districts of the state where labor difficulties of last year have not been straightened out. Carpenters as well as other craftsmen engaged in the building trades are out on strike. Little work was done through the Spring and early Summer. Now with the vacation season approaching there is little likelihood of much being done through the rest of the Summer as Bakersfield generally enjoys a lay-off through this period of the year.
Dealers Philosophy
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