The State Association

By Dee C. Essley, Manager The California Retail Lumbermen's Association

Dee C. Essley

Education is the backbone of association. but manv of the business men are constantly in fear there may cbme in some competition that will knock them out. It is for this reason that we have so many combinations and trusts against rvhich the politicians and newspapermen howl, but in which all of them would like an interest if they could have it. It is perfectly natural for us to score these men who are more successful in business than we are. Everv under dog howls with discomfiture, and every one of them would be on top if he could.

There is no larv to compel a dealer to join a retail association any more than there is to force him to become a member of a church or a club. If a dealer thinks he can succeed better outside an association, there is no one to dispu'te hisjudgement. There are merchants who can make their rvay anylvhere. They were born that way, God was good to them. They are merchants by instinct. It is natural for them to sell lumber, but one thing is sure, THEY CANNOT MAKE ALL THE PROFIT, so Mr. Gifted Dealer, whynot join your friends under the umbrella, and help hold it up over the industry. No doubt we do not agree withall the trade practices instituted by members of association, but, HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN, CAST THE FIRST STONE. No doubt some of us, through heritage, or some strange event of our life, were forced into the lumber business and have spent the major portion of our existence selling lumber, and the lumber industry must perform its duty to support our dependents. We, through our home training, have convinced ourselves that we are responsible for the existence of our dependents, so what do we plan for their protection ? We call in Mr. Insurance Man and insure life and all earthly possessions so that our dependents will be well taken care of in case of death or fire. Have you insured your profits ? Have you been fair to your industry ? Has the industry been improved by your existence? MR. LUMBERMAN, have you tried-to help yourself ? The good Lordistrying to help you, but first you must try and help yourself.

. Some ten years ago several lumber dealers in California who were blessed lvith great vision, saw the need for an active State Association. At that time there rvere several small groups of lumbermen, rvho were joined together in local associations, but they were powerless to cope with the modern and progressive advancements of the industry. We were on the threshold of a new era, mergers, massed production, and organization of allied industries had completely-revolutionized our industry. We were like an orphan boy with misfit garments, something must be done- and nothing to do with, so these few champions took uDon themselves the personal responsibility ;f financing ihe California Retail Lumbermen's Associaiion.

The years that followed rvere trying ones, and if it had not been. for the loyalty of those pioneers who faced each p-ara-mount p.roblem rvith determination, that in spite of all the opposition they would not have forged ahead.

Ten years have now elapsed and we are still forging ahead with great enthusiasm, facing the problems that-de"v-elop, and drafting into service members who spend their time and money for the benefit of the industry. Our pres- ent budget does not provide any salary or expenses foi'the president or directors; all of these men donite their services for the benefit of the members and non-members.

-Trvo years ago Mr. H. A. Lake was elected president of the association, and his first thought was, do ihe lumbermen of California rvant an associition, and if thev do how can the association improve its service ? Well, kind reader, the only way his question could be answered was to interview the lumbermen of California, Mr. Lake was determined, so he divorced his business and started out to visit the lumbermen of California in their respective offices. His visits resulted in that the Association would sponsor the forming of local groups, under the guidance of i local secre_tary, all working together under the supervision of the State Association to solve their merchandising prob- lems. Much has been accomplished and we have-af this writing 33 local groups and 25 full time secretaries. to assist Mr. Lake with his program. The directors were faced rvith another serious problem, the State Association needed contact in Northern California, and not much monev on h-and t-o support a field re_p_resentative. It was at this point that the Northwestern MutualFire Association stepped forward and offered the services of Paul E. Overend' to assist in-this prog'ram, without any cost to the Association, and furthermore Mr. A. C. Baker and his associates assisted every way possible in Southern California.

April, l9D, the directors voted to employ a manager for further contact, and it would be his duti t6 aid lumb"ermen rvith any of their problems, and at the same time increase the membership, so that the program could continue mor- ally and financially. The rvriter does not have the space to enlarge upon what has been accomplished, but wiil state that our efforts have just started, and that our services are at the call of any group of lumbermen, members or nonmembers. Our membership was doubled the first year and the succjss of the_past year is due to the energetii leadership of President Lake and a board of director-s and membership, who would drop their business and come to our assistance in case of need.

Did you ever stop and think that today the State of California is no larger than Orange County was ten years aso ? The motor truck can haul lumber to San Francisco ind return, in less time today than an Orange County dealer could ship hfu lumber from, San Pedro, ten years ago. Gentlemen, our only salvation is to co-operate with oni anoth- er, the'situation is here and we might just as well look it straight in the face.

Mr. Pinkerton, our Lhairman of the legislative committee, has been working the past year upon a program which n'ill be of great interest toall lumbermen, and when Mr. Pinkerton sends out an S.O.S. and asks your assistance. need he will need your co-operation, and his success depends wholly upon the support given. rouy uPon rne

In closing may I plead with every lumberman to sup- rt the Association in every rvay possible. abide bv the port rvay possible, by The suggestions of the various committees, and help them in every way possible to build up the merchandising standard of the lumber industry, and you, Mr. Lumbermen, rvill do 1'our bit towards the elevation of an industry rvhich rvill be a credit to the community. state and nation.

G. ff. Brown Hardwood Co. Extends Office Space

An rmportant improvement was effected recently at the plant of the G. H. Brown Hardwood Co., Oakland, when an enlargement of the general office was made which increases the total office floor space to 1320 square feet. The salesmen's desks have been placed in the added space, 4nd room has also been provided for a complete range of samples of the various hardwoods and other products handled by this growing organization.

George II. Brown, president of the company, in commenting on business conditions, said that their business for the first half of the year had been fairly good, considering the reduced volume of nerv construclion, but remarked that such a result was obtained only by putting forth the maximum effort.

Mr. Brown said he looked for some improvement by the latter part of July or first part of Augusl and in speiking of the growth made by Oakland since the census -of I92Ii said there can be no doubt of the fact that Oakland is destined to be an outstanding industrial city, and the industrial grorvth together,with its increasing popularity as a residential city will insure a large increase of population, and in consequence a large volume of construction, in the next relv years.

Mr. Brown is in full agreement with the slogan of the Millu'ork Institute of California that "there is-a distinct trend back to wood," and believes that from now on there will be a definite increase in the use of both domestic and imported hardwoods for interiors of homes and apartments, and also of business buildings.

T. p. HOGAN, JR., VTSTTS REDWOOD EMPIRE

T. P. Hogan, Jr., head of the T. P. Hogan Co., Oakland, recently spent a_-few days on a business and pleasure trip visitingthe mills and logging operations of the Unioir Lumber Company at Fort Bragg, and the mill of the Mendocino Lumber Co. at Mendocino.

-Mr. H_ogan _was -accompanied on the trip by Jack Kiely of the llnion Lumber Company.

H. M.McCALLON VACATION

H. M. McCall, Unio_n Lumber Company, Los Angeles, is sojourning at the Yosemite National Park on J t*o weeks'vacation. Mrs. McCall accompanied him on the trip.

NEW YORK WHOLESALER VISITS S. F.

Arthur F. Knauth of May & Knauth, wholesale lumber dealers, New York, was a recent visitor to San Francisco.