Vagabond Editorials

Bv Jack Dionne

Smart folks, these motor car makers ! You never doubted it, did you? Here they are, bringing out their 1936 models with fanfare and blare of trumpets, right here in the early fall, instead of several months later, as is usually the case. Ilave you stopped to consider why? You should, Mister Lumberman, because the matter directly affects YOU.

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Now, I am violating no confidences in telling you this, because just between us girls, neither Mr. Ford, Mr. Sloan, or Mr. Chrysler has told me a thing about it, or about any of their plans. I'm just guessing, you understand? But what a guesser ! I'm guessing that they are throwing their new, shiny, purring, emotion-grabbing models into the public marts early this year for the very simple reason that they want to get the jump on everyone else (just as they have always done), and get first'shot at these billions of Government money that right at this minute is being poured in a huge stream into public pockets. Get it?

The nearly nve uitlionl ;".- *" are turning toose to knock depression loose frorn its knuckles is starting into circulation RIGHT NOW. So far we have been laying plans and letting contracts. But NOW the cash starts to flow. And cash flows fast. Don't doubt it ! So right at this very psychological moment those monumental merchants who manufacture automobiles send their wonderful wares, their beautiful busses, crashing before the public eye. And will that public buy'em? Will they?

They will get not "", an" ,r""'s share, but likewise the tiger's, the elephant's, and the share of all the other important animals, because of the way they go after it. Just as the first thin trickle of the billions that are to flow makes its appearanss-hs1s come the auto shows, the auto demonstrations, the avalanche of interesting, attractive auto advertising. And so it will be that in another month, when the main body of the cash river comes into view, they will have the situation'(like the brave marines) well in hand. What sayeth the sage? "To the victor belongs the spoils." Yea, Bo ! And the auto sales !

The way the auto irra.riry .rrJa ."u defeated the depression is a story that will-or should-live in history. They had one big thing in their favor. They never were regi- mented, their production never was artificially curtailed, the law of supply and demand continued to regulate their affairs right through the depression, and so they did not have on their raw backs one big yoke that has hurt so many industries. And they never quit selling ! They not only never quit trying, but they increased their efiorts at improving their product at a rate never before dreamed of, and right through the depression people bought cars. r am entirely convince; tJ; own mind that the millions of people who were kept with good work and good wages by this great industry, marked the difference between depression and PANIC in the last few years. So we all of us have much to thank that industry for.

Undoubtedly the succe:" ; ;" automobile industry in keeping production up, employment up, and sales up, was a tremendous factor in taking the bitter edge off the general depression during the past several years. Millions of men remained employed in all branches of the industry, from the production of raw materials to the servicing of the finished product and the production and sale of fuels and lubricants, who might have been added to the bread lines had their industry been less intelligent.

And now the building ;;.; and the lumber business should take a leaf from their book right at the present moment. Page one would be a good leaf to take. That page says-"Do it NOW !"

The home builder "no.,iu ;": "" even better chance to sell his wares by reason of the flow of Government billions than the auto man, because HIS market is still unsupplied, the great gap that the depression created is still a void. The auto man has been selling lots of cars right along. The home builder has been selling mighty fewalmost none. Yet all this time men and women have been marrying, children have been appearing, youngsters have been growing into adults, with the natural necessary building that all this normally suggests-held in abeyance. Millions of homes have become obsolete. A vacuum never before dreamed of has been created.

The sage said "Nece""lr, *r" lnu *ott ", of invention.,, Surely the lumber industry, the home building industry, (Continued on Page 8)

No. 10 of a Series

The Sacramento Valley's own GUS KRAMER

Gus is just a "country boy" from Pittsburg, but oh, how he knows his Redwood! For fifteen years he pounded up and down the entire State, spreading the gospel of Redwood. Then suddenly he saw the light and knocked at the door of Palco. His reasons for wanting to join "the family" were above reproach-he liked the heat of the Valley so well he wanted to concentrate there.

So now each morning finds Gus up bright and early, calling on the trade in his own chosen h"ppy hunting ground. And each evening, as Gus hits the hay (it is rumored he sleeps on Palco Bark), the mails carry his unfailing orders to the mill while he dreams of the conquests of the morrow.

Here's to Gus Kramer, and Mrs. Gus and Gus, Jr.-and his host of friends in the Sacramento Valley!