Random Editorial Ramblings

By Jack Dionne

Talk about growth. The cement industry will excite your admiration in that respect. In 1895 the annual cement production of the United States was less than one million barrels. In 1926 it had reachcd the great maximum of 164,530,O00 barrels. Then 1927 came along with a new high mark, 173,206,000 barrels. Cement is nonr made in 32 states of the urtjon, in 150 odd plants that cost $600,O0O,(X)0. It has become one of the great American industries, and there is every evidence that its growth will continue. Good merchandising is largely the answer.

Another industry of colossal size, and one that is seldom thought of when considering the grgat industries of the nation, is the FINANCING OF AUTOMOBILES.. Did you know that there is constantly afloat in the' United States alone about one billion three hundred seventy eight million dollars worth of automobile paper? This makes it one of the very biggest businesses on earth-and one that is growing. There are twenty five million motor cars in the United States, aqd the peak has not been reached.

"Golden Rule" r""r, li"a ,,oa* rorrg ago in Cincinnati. He made a great fortune in the clothing -business, and divided his profits with his employes.-. In 1924 he paid a dividend check of $600;000 to his five thousirnd employes. He was kicked out of Christian churches twice in hiS life for being a heretic, but he treated his fellow man so well that he earned and kept the name of "Golden Rule" Nash. If there is any bett€tr leligion on this or any gher planet than giving the other fellow a square' deal, then the Man of Galilee didn't make his -;""Tt very plain.

I tike this book this man Holt has prepared for figuring building costs. It seems to me such a book should be indispensable to the lumber merchant. It wouldn't help a wood yard man much, but a lurhber merchdnt should be able to use it like anpther perfectly good right arm. The proposed customer brings in his home plan, or chooses one from your plan service, Mr. Dealer. fle wants to know how much it will cost. With this book. you tell him in three minutes-correctiy. 'He wants-to know how much more it will cost to make it three feet longer, make certain changec in the shape. You tell him in one minute, instead of taking it under advisement for a day or so while you figure it out. It is as practical in numerous other ways. If that isn't a great merchandising help, then I'm a switch engrne.

Hollywood, the film capitd of the world, gets lots of advertising publicity. Ffer speed, her wildness, etc., are oveqprinted and over-done. So it's interesting to know how the film industry came to seek out Hollywood at the start. The builder qf the first studio and maker of the first Hollywood films is authority for the statement that they ' chose Hollywood above' several nparby places that were considered becausg at thaq time Hollywood was "durv" by loca! option, while the several other localities considcred, werer !'wet." So Hollywood got her start on the road to fame. because of her morality.

Persecution has made many a man in history. - And it has made many a commodity and firm a success'in business. Personally I believe the Federal Trade Commission suit against Philippine Mahogany has been a ing, and not a "disnuised" one either. Philio )een a great blessPhilippine Mahog- ing, "disguised" any has always been a wood of great value, virtue, and usefulness. What it needed was for more people to know about it. The suit has done the trick Teis oi thousands of people in every state have talked about Philippine Mahogany that never heard of it before. About one more public attack and the fortune of this very useful wood is made. !S

The average of the homes in the cities of California, are the highest average of dwellings of any state in the union -BY FAR Californians are the best and most attractively housed of all Americans. More thought is given to archltecture, to conveniences, to comforts here than elsenrhere -BY FAR. There is no other state that even atrtproaches California in the character and caliber of its homes. Isn't that a great thought to ihe building industry of the state, and a wonderful mark to its credit? Those kind of homes mean buying power.

One reason is ttrat we think more of home construction aid home attractiveness in California, than elsewhere. :'The other big reason is there are so many homes in California built with outside money, that didn't have to be earngd here. ALL THE OTHER STATES have contributed to California their men of means, who come. here to brrild their ideal homes, and live luxuriously in the sunshin6, and the invigorating air.

Things that are done by men who enjoy doing them, are 'very likely to be done vnell That applies to both the big and the little things of life. 'I went into a lumber office the other day, and as I waited to see the boss, I sat where I could s6d and hear a young man answering the phone calls that came to the order desk.' Ordinarily there wouldn't have been anything interesting abodt that. But in this case, there WAS. Because this young man was a "whiz" on the telephone. You could tell by his manner, his voice, by the play of his face as he tdked that he ENJOYED talking over the phone. The prosaic business of taking retail lumber orders, .answering varied questions as to price, delivery, etc., etc., that come to the sales desk of a big retail yard, was NOT prosaic to HIM. He LOVED it. Therc was INTEREST in every word he spoke. There was courtesy, well mingled with enthusiasm. There wag a great desire to PLEASE in lis voice, mf,rn€r; and words. He was doing a small job. But he was doing it well. He was a magnificent point of contact between the public and his firm. He is very much worth while, that young man. If he carries the same degree of valub into his work as he gocs along, he should be a most useful and interestiirg person.