V.sabond Editorials

By Jack Dionne

Anyway, there's one charge that cannot be truthfully brought against the times we're going through; no one can say they're DULL.

"But," insists tfr" tirrria*t*t"* man, discussing all the things the Government is doing today to hasten business recovery, "supposing this efio1t doesn't work-what then?" "Mister," is the reply, "we have bet the entlre works on this thing. If it doesn't work you can just stop worrying about your afiairs. You won't have any." **tl

Just this one thought to the lumber industry-root and branch: There is no industry in existence that would profit more by increased buying power of this nation, than lumber. Homes and other structures are built on maximum-never on minimum wages.

I can't help wonderrt, n"* Jo, "orr"t:tutions-fed continually for four years on wild emotions of every sort except hopeful-will stand the strain when times come back again that are not continually surcharged with tragedy' We may be so keyed up by that time that we'll long for more excitement. We've certa:nly had little else for four Years' * * :r

Canadians who market products in this country are intensely interested in our business antics right now. They are sitting on the side lines and watching every move of the Recovery Act and its application. They want to'know what it is going to mean to them. They have no code to work under. And, they want to keep on selling this side of the border. Naturally they are asking what, and how, and whY?

* ,< *

Right now I'm basking in the belief that when lumber gets its code to working, and a minimum selling price, lumber advertising will hop up. Don't see how it can be otherwise. With everyone on a price level the old price gag will not be workable, and the boys will want to tell the trade the why of buying from THEM. For advertising, you see, is my bread and butter. And my ap'petite's fine' **

I said last issue that I was d'zzy from trying to understand the application of the Recovery Act to business' And I'm getting no better fast. Take lumber. A Code would seem to me to essentially call for a minimum price' You can't make a man put his cost away up, and not give h'm some protection against chiseling. Then right away bobs up that time-honored subject of WOOD FIBER. Every day we see up-to-grade lumber of the same grade and species, selling for entirely different prices BECAUSE OF THEIR DIFFERENT VALUES. How is the secondgrowth Yellow Pine man going to compete on a price level with the virgin Long Leaf man? How is the maker of brittle, inferior Fir, going to compete with the makers of the soft, old-growth kind? The GRADE is the same. But the value?

And now, to top on

"lll,.J""lto-i"

and financial problems, the mill man finds himself "torn between the horns of a dilemma" indeed. The Federal Government waves a big stick over his head and says-"Join in my Recovery AcI-QUICKLY." And he answers-"If I do, will you guarantee me protection against my state laws that my recovery code may violate?" And the answer seems to be, "No, we can't guarantee you immunity, but we BELIEVE the Federal law will prevail and protect you." I think the greatest movement toward the success of the Recovery Act would be made if President Roosevelt would put millioni of business minds to rest by issuing a proclamation stating that Uncle Sam would guarantee protection to every man operating honorably under an accepted code signed by the President. The sooner he does that the better. Every good man wants to help and respond to the call of the President, but he hates to think he might go to a state jail for doing it. Let's'get together.

one thing will come ; J "i .r,'" activity with regard to the Recovery Act and industry: KNOWLEDGE. Knowledge of its own affairs, and their practical relationship to the other fellow's business affairs, that the making of codes and of cost systems has uncovered. I am convinced that the lumber manufacturing business knows more about itself today than it ever knew before; than it ever dreamed of knowing. And this knowledge will come in handy throughout its future existence.

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With all of its difficulties, its mysteries, its terrifying uncertainties, its brand-new thoughts and ideas affecting business, I am convinced that the final result of the Recovery Act will be hugely constructive; and that its application to business in this ernergency situation will leave a permanent and ineradicable impression of goodly character upon the business of the nation. I firmly believe that.

**:f

Throughout history-as I attempted to show in these columns six months ago-every great panic and depression has been followed by developments and consequences of great and lasting benefit to the human race. This will be no exception to the rule. While its impressments upon industry at the present moment may seem to many to be onerous and straying too far afield from our conception of American rights and liberties, many of the theories and philosophies upon which the Act is built are ingredients that industry genuinely needs, not only right NOW, but at ALL times.

**!N<

I am sure that this thing that is being thrust upon the lumber industry at the present time as its share of the burden of recovery, will in the end be a great blessing to thls industry. A few intelligent restrictions and regulations could save the lumber industry from the dark future which, for the past ten years, has apparently been its certain heritage. Such restrictions and regulations, had they been applied years ago, could have saved this industry the unnumerable vicissitudes that have been its almost constant lot. I have said in these columns for many, many years, that the lumber industry seemed utterly incapable of saving itself. Perhaps now the saving so long needed comes in the guise of the Recovery Act. Who knows? Anyway, it's a good thought, and I believe it may prove true.

***

Maybe when this emergency has passed and the prob-

\THEN YOU SELL

Siructural

Booth-Kelly Douglae Fir, the Asgociation grade and trade mark certifu to your customers the quality of the stock you handle. Builders quit gueeeing about what they're buying and buy where they know what they're getting.

LUMBEE? gO

General Saler Ofice: Eugene, Ore.

Mills: Wendling, Ore., Springfield, Ore.

CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATIVES

Northem Celiforaie

Hill & Morton, lnc.

Dcnriron St. Whail

OaLland

ANdovcr 1077

Southcrn Glifornir

E. J. Strntoa & Son

Zt50 E. SEth St., Lor Aagclcr AXridsc g2ll lems that now beset us have been solved, it will be found that in this effort of the Federal Government to force industry to save itself and the natio'n, this thing they call the Recovery Act possesses in fact much of the essence of the Golden Rule; and that this philosophy will remain to saturate industry as it never has before. "There must be a greater division of the profits of industry," says the administration. It was thus spoke the Man of Galilee, also, when He preached on the green hills of His native land. We can stand a little more of His spirit in industry. Personally I hate and abhor socialism. But Golden Rule-ism cannot be over-done.

***

It's hard to talk or think about anything but the Recovery Act situation. Two sawmill friends of mine were talking about it the other day, and discussing the possibility of a very short working week. One of them declared he was willing to try what the rest of them did, but he didn't see how a mill could operate dry kilns on a thirty hour basis. His friend, who knew of the financial tragedies the first had gone through in the past two years, grinned dryly, and remarked: "Old boy, you've solved tougher problems than that in the last couple of years." And the other grinned back. Compared to what he'd been through, short week dry kiln operation is a breeze.

(Continued on Page 8)

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