Fifth Annual Meetin$ Francisco

Elected President

clare to you positively and without question of doubt, that the In"iit"t.tir mide truly remarkable progress; that its entire structure il-ii;;ly ;;tded ulon constructi-ve principles and practical activities; thit we have attained a harmony of purpose within th:. ralks' and'finally, that there now exists, 3 gener-al appreciation of the !ro"i"* *tti.tt we are engaged in. Internally, as y9q kno-w, we ha.ve iot been altogether free from dissension and criticism' but happlly, ifr"." -air*iaint and destructive forces have been eradicated, and ihe good will and co-operation, whic-h are n9w- q9- very evident, preai"t?-;pt""" in the sutt" for the millmen of California-and I. need ntf t"-ina you, than in California, there is no choicer place in the sun. i - Financially, the Institute has progressed from an actual deficit at thi close of iast year, to a surplus ai this time a-mounting to $J200ina ttt"t was done, ihe while-we absorbed a $5000 exp€nse for the oubtication of Standard Schedule No. 128. That is real progress' - -yet another evidence of progress is the fact that the Institute has acquired the power of attriction, that quality which modern writers ""*"ti-.t reier to as "it". We have and are "it". The application of lit" in this sense, is not defined in the dictionarie-s, but long ago' an ancient Greek, Demosthenes, I think it was, after wrestllng au membershipsecurelytogetheronaprotectiveactivity,protective both to ouiselves individually and to the consumer' 1 he Standaros *iii n"t only remove certified work from out of the pale. of com#iil *iiii ,;l""ir"g" products, but they will most certainly have ;';;;;-;;;ked-efieci in the stabilization.of selling prices, b.ecause tro*, io. the first time in our industry's history, we are actuauy qo; ins io quote upon a uniform or comparable basis of materials and ;;?ri;";ti;;t. 'If vou could have reviewed as the codification com;;t*;e i-it."", iit. recommendations received lrom our sub-com;i;i;;r ;; Standirds, vour eves would have bee-n opened to differences in product, th4t none of you can poss.lbly. realtze'.coulq exist in one industry' That is the main reason why th€ compllatlon 'of the Accredited Standards was such an enormous undertaklng' anq ift"i i. also the reason why I know that the program is bound to help the price situation immeasurably'

There has been considerable improvement in several localities in ,.ro..i to fo"if btg""iration wor^k. There must be much more of ir."ili'ti,.* *if-f f.,-5.""u.e the spirit for it is in the air. The State ;.;'b;;;hi; must atso be increaied, and on-this job., the present ;;;;;;;il; *.t-t tt"tp vigorouslv and conslantlv' I have set a ;;;il;i ;' minimum mem"bership of 200 active members in good'

Charles Miller nicht with a scientific problem, finally arrived at a solution, and ;r';;t'k;;;, Le""-. so elated'over hls discovery, that despite the fac[ he wore no clothes, he dashed madly,-through the. s.tr€ets. ot Athens shouting "Eureka", which means "I-have tound lt"' rnat i;-;;;";i; ;h;'-fi rst recorded demonstration of the discoverv. of "it"' i;;;-;ti t.iitt, "t every Native Son knows, that "Eureka" is the -"ii" Jf'-C.iii.iitii, ttt.n"eu.r' member of the millwork industry-in iiiir-Stii. who desires a solulion to his difficulties,-can have it lt{ embracing the Institute program and declare with Demosth€nes' "l have found it".

I am not going to take the time to enumerate. the specifc activities or undertakings-which have brought the Institute to this new era ;i ;;;;G;;;;mplishment, this "place in the 3un" which is actuallv "" %ui aooi tt.6. The various reports which you will hear later in today's and tomorrow's sessions will cover the sui.lects amply' ffo*."it, I do wish to emphasize certain things'. J!9v are the Certification Program, Local Organization, Expanded Membershtp and New Activities.

The first steps toward actual installation of the Certification Prosrim wilt be tiken at this meeting- The p.rinted Application Form ind Liiense Agreement are ready for distribution to-you'. IJtt gm.cial Certification Mark or Label, the License itself and the Job C"itini"i" aie designed and ready for release- to the-printer' The e..i.aii.a Standards, barring a few minor revisions still to be made, ari ready to put into type and the Rules,and Procedure which are ii-*it.* "t. tottv deveioped and printed' This new undertaking, v"riGit agree (aiter seeing the virious exhibits and hearing .the i.pori.j iJ"the most constru-ciive advancement ever introduced into itri rniftwort industry. It is something that is going to wetd the standinc before the next year is up. If I have only a reasonable amouniof co-operation from you in this direction, the membershiq "iii."iitv be run up to 300 firms, .and then .with all that power qf ;;b;;;; *. ."tt do almost anvthing we wish i-n the wav of new activities and an expanded stafi in the central' office.

As to new undertakings, I am going to quote my circular to the industry under date of November 14:

"To eviry Sash and Door and Millwork Man in California:

I am looking for ideasl You can supply them!

The ideas that I want are the kind that can be converted into -."iut.r-iot -the protection of the millman. They are, to conc-ern ibuses that are dir1cted at you, almost every day, and that all of us HS:*;l*.'it in our power to eradicate or at least cut down to a

Why, for instance, should we allow the contractor to hold uq.thc -on"i'due us for completed wgrk, a-nd sometimes even "gyp".u-s out oi it altogether? Why should we stand for his "bido.aaiin";'l Whv should he, with the assent of the archiiect, be-at us out of legitimate "extras"? r Why should we tolerate shortage claims, when we know positively that a full quan-. tity of the materials required was delivered io the job?

We should organize so that we can tell all the-s-e- birds that- 4e' serve it, just whire to head in. It can be done. 'We can band tosether. ' W. ..t take a firm stand along legitimate lines and in so Eoing convert tosses into profits. But all of us, you included, pust hetp."

\ryh"t t want to get over is this: We should not only try-to elevate standards, preach ethics and indulge-in other constructivc ind educational iitivities, but if we have intelligence and plaln everyday guts, will put into our set up, some very definite measur€s for -our oqn protection. All of you know that today is a buyer's market. The contractor is in the saddle. We are hiJ goats. He is riding us_ hard and he has used his spurs until they drip-red with our losses. It is not only a case of red-ink, but actual industrial blood. I-et's call a, halt right now. Let's buck. Let's set up a roar backed by action, that will take us out of the category of goats. We can 9o it. Wg _."n get the support of every millman inlhe State to help do it. We're, actually starting the program right now, and I urge you to-get behind it solidly, right here today and tomorrow and then carry it home with you and keep it well oiled with your daily co- operation. That plase in the sun, that I told you about, will- then steady and moving forward. He has encouraged and sustained me and he has given you most liberally of his time and efiort. All of us owe him our sincere thanks.

Chairman Bernhauer has "hopped to it" on his assignment with a vigor that no committee chairman in my 15 years oi association work, has ever demonstrated. The 33 members- of the Certi6cation sub-committees have also responded in a way that I believe has ne-ver bee_n eqlaled in an association anywhere, certainly not in any other millwork association.

--Three fi-rms, the Frank Graves Sash, Door & Mill Company, the Hammond Lumber Company and the Pacific Door & Sash iompany each have supplied me with the best talent available from within. their resp_ective organizations, to serve on the committee charged with the codification of Standards submitted by the sub-committ6es. They worked with me full time, every day-for a period of five weeks, Saturdays and Sundays only excluded-.

All these deserve your special thanks and appreciation and mine, tor exceptional services, well done. Mine are hereby tendered to them and to all of you who in any way contributed io the welfare of the undertakings which are bringing us our ,.place in the sun.,'

Treasurer E. A. Nicholson then read his report which showed the Institute to have made good financiil progress during the past year.

Elected Directors

.reflect the mellowness, warmth and good fellowship that I know, way down in your hearts, all of you possess.

In concluding, I want to call your particular attention to the fact that there,is-to be an election of diiectors and officers. I suggest that you thoroughly advise your nominating committee as to lFose men in yolrr districts who will work actively and harmoniously for the general good. This is most important,

And now for a word of thanks and appreciation. President Harry, i1t s.Oi1e of. the toughest year in our hislory, and in spite of a phi- sical handicap, which all of us deplore, his kept the ship of itaie

.-Managing Director Didesch next gave a report of the all-day session of the Board of Direclors which was held on Wednesday, November 21. He reported that the directors had approved the Accredited St;ndards for Architectural Woodwork, the official label or Certification Mark of the Institute, the License Agreement, and the application form for participation in the ?roduct and Job Ceifification Program.

The Board also passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the managing director, and voted an increase of $10O a month in the budget.

- Tfgy -also voted a_contribution of $1.00 per member to the National Home Modernizing Buriau, in consideration of tle good work this organi zation is doing.

The directors discus'sed the matter of employing a man as assistant to the managing director. in the-centril office, and decided to engage a man at a saiary of $350 a month

Narrow Band Saws

For better service specify Simonds Narrow Band Saws.

just as soon as'the added revenue from increased membership will permit.

J. G. Kennedy, Pacific Manufacturing Co., said he thought it would pay the Institute to employ an organizer to assist the local groups to get together.

L. Van Snyders, West Coast Lumbermen's Association, Seattle, was introduced by Mr. Didesch. Mr. Van Snyders s"aid he represented the millwork group which had joined the West Coast association last June, and which has now two field men contacting architects and the general public. He found some dissatisfaction among architects as to the moisture content of material used. He hoped his group would be able to tie in with the program of the MiUwork Institute of California.

Vice-President A. W. Bernhauer, Fresno, presented the report of the Certification Committee. In announcing that the Certification Plan is now ready to be put' into effect, Mr. Bernhauer reminded his hearers that this plan was originally proposed by Managing Director Didesch, and paid a partrcular tribute to Mr. Drdesch for his untiring work in assisting to put this plan across.

'1Un4er the new plan we propose to advertise to architectq builders and owners that our products are guaranteed by the Millwork Institute of California," the speaker said. "The Institute is not an exclusive organization, Any lirm that will agree to maintain these standards can join, and the small mill turning out quality millwork will get an even break with the big mill."

In conclusion, Mr. Bernhauer said, "let us show every miuman that it is to his interest and advantage to comply with the rules necessary for plant certification."

Mr. Didesch then passed around for inspection sketches of the License of the Manufacturer of Certified Architectural Woodwork, the official label, and the Job Certificate. He also distributed copies of the Application for License and License agreement, and explained these in detail, and in addition read and explained the wording of the License and Individual Job Certificate.

Thursday Afternoon

President Gaetjen presided.

The address ot George M. Cornwall, publisher of The Timberman, Portland, Ore., on "The Future Of The Millwork Indus'try" was in the absence of Mr. Cornwall read by his son, George F. Cornwall. This contained a number of ideas given as suggestions for meeting the new competitive factors with which the industry will have to deal in the future.

The idea was expressed that in view of the competition of materials other than lumber it might be in order in the future to expand the Millwork Institute of California into an organization covering all of the Western states.

Mr. Cornwall also suggested that the Institute might broaden its scope to include detail mills, stock door, frame, sash and built-in-fixture factories in one organization, with separate departments for each activity; and said he believed that the various lumber manufacturing associations might lend their cooperation towards the formation of such an enlarged Institute, which could undoubtedly increase the demand for wood, and the volume of millwork.

D. N. Edzaards I'I/. J. Glasson Elected Directors

He also commented on the increasing competition with detail mills of factories manufacturing stock millwork, and suggested that the new Certification Plan be supplemented by a fairly comprehensive publicity campaign.

Mr. Anderson of the Anderson Lumber Co., manufacturers of Andersen Frames, was introduced by the managing director.

J. G. Kennedy, Pacific Manufacturing Co., said he detected'a note of pessimism in the meeting and called on E. A. Nicholson, Pacific Door & Sash Co., Los Angeles to inject a note of optimism.

Mr. Nicholson responded in his best style, referring to the Irish optimist who attempted to buy merchandise from a Jew and sell it to a Scotchman. He believed it was up to every resident of California to count his blessings, and be thankful he was born in this country, born white, and be extremely grateful to be living in California.

He predicted an unprecendented building activity in California for the next 15 to 20 years. and characterized the present condition of their industry as a psychological rather than an economic question. fhursday Evening

"If we had the help of His Satanic Majesty we could not devise a worse system of merchandising than we have at present, but the remedy is simple-intelligent cooperation-and we must have guts enough to cooperate to the fullest exterlt. We must all put our shoulder to the wheel so that '$/e may attract to this industry the best brains from among those graduating from our schools and universities," he said.

Kenneth R. Walker, Red River Lumber Co., Westwood, was introduced by the managing director, who announced that Mr. Walker had just flown from Los Angeles i.n his own plane to attend the meeting, making the trip in three hours.

Kenneth R. Walker, Red River Lumber Co., Westwood, was introduced by the managing director, who announced that Mr. Walker had just flown from Los Angeles in his ow'n plane to attend the meeting, making the trip in three hours.

Mr. Didesch read and reviewed the Accredited Standards for Architectural Millwork. He remarked that the standards are the results of the recommendations of 33 committee men, and pointed out that the most important standard of all is the one covering material. Interior finish is standard for material throughout the work. Regarding moisture content he said that no wood of any kind containing over 12 per cent of moisture can be used for interior finish.

Copies of the "Outline For Millwork Specifications" for archiiects were distributed, and read by the managing director.

The president appointed the following nominating committee: Robert Leishman, Pittsburg, chairman; Tom Gardner, Stockton; J. Wesley Shrimp, Riverside; E. A. Nicholson, Los Angeles; Fred Spencer, San Francisco, and Orrie W. Hamilton, San Diego.

Reuben W. Smith, Natiopal Lumber Man'ufacturers' Association, spoke on the "Trade Extension Campaign" of his assocation, telling of the various methods used for promotion of the use of wood, and stressing particularly the efforts made to combat the aggressive campaign of the steel sash manufacturers.

Mr. Smith then exhibited the association's motion picture, "Transformation," which he said they expected to be shown to more than 1,0O0,QC10 pjoplg.

The ahnual banquet and entertainment of the Institute was held at 7 p.m. in the Roof Garden of the Hotel Whitcomb. There were more than 100 in attendance. Excellent entertainment was provided by G. L. Wayne and his committee.

Friday Morning

President Gaetjen presided, calling on Prof. S. E. Light of the Department of. Zoology, University of California, for a talk on "Termite Damage Prevention." Professor Light was accompanied by A. L. Pickens, field biologist for the Termite Investigations Committee, who had a number of samples of wood which had been damaged by termites. Considerable interest was shown in this subject, and Professor Light answered a number of questions.

J. E. Neighbor, managing director of the Home Modernizing Bureau of the East Bay, was the next speaker. Mr. Neighbor introduced Ray B. Cox, Built-In-Fixture Co., Berkeley, who is chairman of the board of governors of the bureau, and then sketched briefly the history of the formation of the National Home Modernizing Bureau. Ife showed how the national bureau stands ready to help in the formation of local bureaus.

"The proposition is the complete modernization of the home," said Mr. Neighbor, "but statistics compiled by the National bureau show that a very high percentage of the money spent in modernizing goes for lumber and millwork.