Wholesalers Oppose Penalty Charge

On July 13 representatives of lumber manufacturers and retailers .filed with the Traffic Executives a statement covering transit cars and reconsignment of lumber, which in effect urges the restoration ot the "$10 a day penalty charge" as a means of restricting the shipment of-transit cars of lumber.

On behalf of the National-American Wholesale Lumber Association, W. W. Schupner, Secretary, has filed with the several Traffic Executives and Freight Associations the following statement opposing the penalty:

"The National-American Wnolesale Lumber Association, Inc., with a membership of. 625 leading lumber wholesalers, who distribute approximately 20,000 000,0(D feet of lumber, or' over half of the annual production, is in entire accord with the railroad's efficierrcy program. As is well known by the officrals of the American Railway Association, our members -have effectively cooperated in the effort to make the best use of the transportatiori facifities of the country.- This..is especially so in. distributing the produots of thousands of so-called smatl unorganized miils i,ho depend upon the wholesaler for keeping them rnformed as to marlieting ind transportation-conditions. Needless to say we are at all times-ready to broaden this cooperation.

"Much of the statement filed with you by the lumber represen- tatives on July 13 pertarns to the traniit cai and. in opposirs the recommendation for the restoration of the penaity, w-e- desiie to make clear that we are neither advocating nor opposing the prac- tice of transit car shipments. Furthermore. wi - do not believe th.e. penalty will accomplish the purpose sought by the retailers. This is not a transit car matter and we respeciully iubm.t that the Traffic Executives are not concerned with iny difference of opinion within the lumber industry regarding such- shipments, and that their interejt in the penaity must be considered by 'them only from a traffic standpoint, and as to whether an emeigency exists to an extent warranting a penalty as a means of removing any existing congestion at reconsigning. points, and to releas. .quiF-.ni which may be held up by such congestion.

"Regardless of one's views on transit cars, permit us to state !h9V can be sold only as they find a market and in the lumber industry. this market consists of retail lumber dealers who purchase these shipments for good and sufficient reasons of their owrr. Thev are, moreover,._practically the only outlet for such business; they can if they-will_. refuse.to buy transit cars insist upon mill' ship-- ment, and thereby re.strict their use to that extent. We, therefore, feel the retailers should not confuse the issue of penalizing the whole lumber industry's use of the reconsignment privilege with an unrelated matter which they themselves cjrn control.

"1'he reconsignment of shipments is an established practice in our transportation system and, through the encouragemedt of the railroads themselves, it is very generally used by many_ commodities. It carries a charge irytrictt ttai 6een fodnd tair ind eduitable by the Interstate Commerce Commission, and is so coirsidered by the railroads. It assists in the more normal flow of traffic, particrilarly with long haul carriers. Present demurrage rates more than amply compensate the railroads in case of delay in moving reconsigned shipments, and these rates, with the reconsignment charge, are now so high as to make it most unprofitable to hold shipments at reconsigning points beyond the free period allowed.

"The Traffic Executives will not. of course. overlook the fact that on transcontinental shipments of lumber they are competing with vessels through the Panama Canal which either discharge at Eastern distributing yards for motor truck delivery, or for short back hauls, whereas on all-rail movements with the reconsigning practice, a much greater railroad income from lumber is obtained.

"It must also be recognized that during a long period of years the business of marketing shingles from the West Coast has depended upon the reconsignment custom, and that the trade relies upon this method of distribution for replenish.ing its supply of shingles.

"The reconsignment practice is used by many commodities and we fail to see how it can be consistently urged that the lumber industry should be singled out for discrimination when there is no reason for penalizing reconsigned shipments as a class. On the highest authority we maintain there is no congestion at reconsigrring points warranting an investigation along the lines recommended in the statement filed by the lumber representatives, and. we call your attention to the statehent of Mr. R. H. Aishton, President of the American Railway Association, at Montreal, as published on September 13, in which he says, "Despite the unprece- rlented volume of freight traffic handled by the railroads in thi first six months of this year, there is a very satisfactory condition of transportation service. Only a few local instances of congestion or accumulation have occurred, with almost a complete absence of car shortage. This latter item is the more remarkable when we consider that in point of numbers there has been practically no incre4se in the total freight-car ownership of the country during 1926 and, 1927, as compared with earlier years of much lighter traffic *'hen car shortage were expected annually at the great crop-moving season "

"fn a report to the Directors of the American Railwav Asso(Continued on Page 50)

Column

The Fellow Who Wants to Buy

The Fellow Who Wants to Sell

The Fellow Who Wants to Hire

FOR SALE-A retail lumber yard in a locality where the percentage of increased population exceeded any other Southern California community. Present volume satisfactory and prices fair. Stock turned every 45 days. Less than ten thousand required to purchase. Address Box C-142 c-o Calif. Lumber Merchant.

OFFICE MAN, six years retail lumber in Southern California. Thoroughly experienced as machine and long-hand bookkeeper, also credit estimating and counter work. Had full charge of books about four years at one concern. Age 37, married, best of references from former employer.

Box C-148, c/o Calif.. Lumber Merchant.

Wants Position As Auditor

15 years experience in retail lumber business. 5 years in California. Thoroughly experienced in every branch of the retail lumber business. Address Box C-150, care California Iumber Merchant.

LUMBER YARD site for sale or lease. Two acres on a l-os Angeles Blvd. Four cent rate, spur track, sheds, planing mill building, burner, racks, etc., already to go. Will sell on terms or lease rvith option to buy. Address Box C-151. care Calif. Lumber I\{erchant.

WANTED-Experienced young rapher for position in Nerv Mexico. Sales Corporation, Albuquerque, New man lumber istenogSouthwest Lumber Mexico.

(Continued from Page 49) ciation on September 72, 1927, the Car Service Division stated that the condition of freight cars and locomotives is the "best over any of the post-war years, while the general transportation situation, so far as operation is concerned, is highly satisfactory."

"Frirthermore, on Aueust i2. 1927, the National-American Wholesale Lurnber Association addressed a letter to Mr. M. J. Gormley, Chairman of the Car Service Division of the American Railwav Association, inquiring whether there was any detention at reconsiinins points warranting the restoration of the penalty, and on Ausirst 15he stated:'While no recent detailed checks have been made iv this organization to determine this factor, there appears to be nbthing in our records indicating that at the present time there is either an excessive number of cars so held or that cars awaiting reconsignment are being excessivety delayed."

"We would therefore respectfully submit that the retail lumber industry itself is in position to contr6l the, question raised on transit cars; that any effort to penalize the whole lumber.industry as proposed would be unnecessanly discriminatory, and that. in any event, is shown by the statementi from the American Railwlv Association, there -is no congestion warranting the restoration of the penalty."

"Ah wins."

"What you got ?"

- "Three aces."

NO OPPOSITION t'Two nines an' a tazor.

"No, yuh donlt, Ah wins."

"What yuh got?"

"Yuh shoh do. How come yuh so luckY?"

POSITION WANTED: Lady lumber estimator, typist and comptometer operator, four years experience in practically all branches retail lumber office work. Best local references, including former employer.

Box C-146, c/o Calif. I-umber Merchant.

WANTED SALES POSITION with either wholesale or retail lumber concern. Have had seventeen years experience in both lines, four years in Southern California. Will go any place in California, Age 38 years, married, good references. Will furnish good reasons from present employer for leaving him. An interview will be mutually beneficial and appreciated.

Box C-147. c/o Calif. Lumber Merchant.

WANTED

To buy small retail yard near Los Angeles or other part of Southern California. Flease give full information. Address Box C-749, care California Lumber Merchant.

STATEMENT OLTUE OWNERSHTP, TvTANAGEMENT, CTRCULATTON, ETC., REQUIRED BY THE'ACT OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24, I9IZ,

Of The California Lumber Merchant, publishcd Semi-monihly at Lor Angeles, Cal., for October 1.1927. Stetc of California ) E6uriti-ot-Iii-iricelcs. l"''

Beforc me, Notary Public in and for the 9tatc and courtr rforc. said, -personally appeared J. E. I\Iartin, who, having been dul! sworn according to law, deDoses and lays that he is the Menasinr Editor of Thc California Lumber Mcrchant. and that thc followinc- isi to the oest of his knowlcdgc and belief, i truc statcment of thi owncrshio. maragcmcnt (aad il a daily oapcr. thc circulrtion). ctc.. of thc rfosa: said publicatron for the dati lhown in the abovc ceition. rcquircd by thc Act of August A, 1912, embodied in scction 4ll-. Po3tal Lsws and Regulations, printed on thc revcrre of this form. t6 wit: l. That the names and addrerses of thc rublisher.'cditor. menerial editor, and businers managcrs arc: Publisher. T. C. Dionnc. 318 Cen-tre'I Bldg., Iar Angcles; Editoi. ]. C. Dioanc.3i8-Central Bldc.. Los An- geles; Malaging Editor, J. E Martin, 318 Central Bldg., hi Angelcs; Dusrness ltanagcr, No!e.

2, That thc owner is: (If owaed by a corooration. its namc rnd address must bc stated and also immidiatelv -thereundcr thc names and addrcracc of stockhotdcrr owaiag or holdiirg one Der cett or morc of total amount of stock. If not owncd bv a-coroorition- the namer and addrcsses of the individual owncrt muit bc giien. If'ownid bv i 6rm, company, or other unincorporated cmcern. its namc and addriss. as well a-s those of each individual_member, must be given.)

J. C. Dionne.3lS Ccntral Blds.. Los Anliles.

- - l. Tbat thc tnow! bondholdcru, moitgagccr, and othcr rccurity holders owning or holding I Der cent'or moicif t6tal amounf ot bondr'. mortgagca, or othcr securities are: (If there are none. so state.) None-

.1. Thst the two paragraphs nc:t abovc, giving'the namci of thc ownc.rr, ttockholdcrs, and -sccurity hold_c_rs, if eni, conteia not onlt thc list of stockholdcrs and security holders as thcy aooear uoon thi booLs- ofthe company but also, iir cascs shere ihe 'itocttrdlair or security holqcr Epcars upon .the books of t^he- company ar trustca of rn-any otncr nducrary rctatton, thc namc ol tbc aer3on or corDora. tion for whom such trustee is acting, is givcn; eho-that thc trid tro pa-r-agraphr contain lt.tcmentg cmbrtcing-effeit'r full knowledrj ind belief as to thc circumstanccs and conditionr undcr which gtocLf,oldcn and recurity holderc who do not appear upon thc books of thc comoani ar trultees, hold rtock and securities in a capacity other than that-of I bona fidc orncr; and this afiiant has no reason to'believc that anv othcr pcruon, association, or corporation has any intcrcat direct or indirect in the said stock, bonds, or other sccurities than as so stated bv him.

5. Tbat the avcragc numbcr of coDicc of cach isruc of this Dubll. c4tion..sold or.distributed, throygh thc..rnails- or, otherwirc, to- paid luDscrlDers c-ur.rng.tqe arx,months precedlng thc.date -showl tbovc ia

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