California in Splendid Long B each -/

come of Mr. Wall and Mr. Merrell had been accepted in toto.

The routine business of the meeting was taken up, only terse reports being made by the officers, and there was nothing specific brought out. The report of Treasurer E. A. Nicholson showed that the Institute finances are in sound shape. A. W. Bernhauer made a report concerning the meeting of the Board of Directors that had just taken place, and there was some discussion. The meeting then adjourned until the afternoon session.

The first event of the afternoon session was very interesting, and was carefully delivered by George Cornwall of Portland, publisher of The Timberman, on the subject of conditions, and particularly lumber things in Australia, from which continent he recently returned. His description of the highlights of Australian conditions from a business viewpoint was very good.

Then followed a short and pithy address by David J. 'Witmer, president of the Southern California Chapter of the American fnstitute of Architects, discussing "What Will Bring Closer Contact Between Architect, Contractor, and Millman ?" His was a bit of excellent advice aiming at closer co-operation and better harmony between the millman and the architect, and his remarks were very well received.

Mr. Zara Witkin of the Herbert M. Baruch Corporation, Los Angeles, speaking for the contractors of the district, made a very forceful talk that stirred up considerable discussion. Amongotherthings he sharply criticized an alleged habit of the millmen of employing and sending out as salesmen to call on the trade men who, though they seemed to be well mannered and nice fellows, know little or nothing about the millwork business, and he suggested that too much "dead wood" of this kind is being carried. Considerable discussion followed his remarks.

Mr. Emory E. Olson, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Southern California, was the next speaker, and he made an interesting technical talk on economics from a professional viewpoint, well intersperse{ with humorous stories to light up his points. When he finished he was asked a number of questions by those present, and answered them all without hesitation.

A general discussion of the question, "Coast Schedules or Selling Price Schedules," closed the afternoon session.

During the Thursday noon hour the directors met in a private ioom, and the rest of the crowd lunched together very happily in the Patent Leather Grill of the Club.

At the same time the branch secretaries held a separate luncheon meeting.

The ladies lunched separately from the men in th9 Club Tea Room.

The Friday morning session began with a general discussion of the subject, "Major Influences Towards Price

cnf;;,f";Xi!ff[X*a Arrangements

Cutting and How to Combat." The discussion was gen: eral, those speaking at some length on the subject being Harry Gaetjen of San Francisco; W. Shrimp of Riverside; Ed Nicholson of Los Angeles; and Nat Edwards of Oakland. It ended with quite an oration by Ed Nicholson on the subject of trade extension, and getting more business.

This was followed by an address by Jack Dionne, publisher of The California Lumber Merchant, on the subject, "Putting the Punch in Merchandising."

The session closed with a general discussion of the subject, "What Kinds of Statistical Data are Most Beneficial -How to Get Them and Use Them." The discussion was led by R. A. Niclas of the Bay District, and was illustrated by a chart of several millwork cost sheets that were passed around and generally discussed. The discussion of this subject was very animated.

The meeting then adjourned.

(The California Lumber Merchant went to press with the August issue at this point. There will be more of the convention in the next issue.)

Among those Present

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