A United Woodworking Industry

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Berkeley team. We have had numerous set backs, but rve must not be disheartened; we must not be discouraged, but must use our heads to meet and overcome the threats to our industry. There are undoubtedly many others, but I have mentioned only two. These threats are real ones.

Considering substitutes, it is true rve cannot overcome economic facts; or facts of nature. Where metal is better than rvood we ,cannot expect, and should not expect, in fact we would waste our energy in trying to have wood used in that place. The same applies to plaster, but we can keep on our toes and give constant thought and eternal vigilance to inducing the use of wood where wood is better. and we all know that there are thousands and thousands of uses for which substitutes are being put forward, which are better served by the use of wood. Constructive thought along these lines is what is necessary. The same rule should apply in meeting Eastern competition. If our Eastern competitors are getting the best of us, we have to give our best thought to meeting it along economic lines.

We cannot build a stone wall around California. Nations can put up barriers and protective rvalls of tariff, but Statel cannot do this. and ihould not do this. We are all one people, all Americans. But at the same time we rvould like -to ho the woodwork for our neighbor and not have him send two or three thousand miles away for it. Again, at the same time, we cannot ask our neighbor to dig dorvn into his pocket and pay us a good deal more for his rvoodwork thin he would have to pay a concern in Grand Rapids, or Chicago. So that problem is one requiring constructive thought.

Now, I have painted a gloomy picture of the threats to our industry and have not offered any constrttctive thought myself as to the method of combating these threats, any more than we have to think about it.

On this point, however, the first thing that comes to my mind al a solution, is a course of action rvhich y.ou have already undertaken, that is, advertising your mill'ivork. You have done wonderfully rvell rvith 1'our booklets and other publications. I have an idea, hon'ever. that probably your advertising has been like one lttmberman ialking to-another; or one mill man taking into his confidence another mill man, whereas the manufacturers of substitutes are taking into their confidence and into their camp, the American Public.

A $2.00 steel card table may ruin a five dollar pair of silk stockings in one sitting, but it is a brightly painted novelty, and it is advertised to the public, and sells like hot cakes-

Is it not a fact that the woodworking industrf is dou'n because the general public does not understand it. isn't even interested in it, and doesn't know that it exists? The people who are competing against us have taken the pains to put themselves before the public in a favorable light. When good times resume; I think we will all admit that times are bad, but rve hope they are convalescing I and our competitors in substitutes are looking for these good times too, and are preparing for them; I believe that the rvoodrvorking industry must increase its advertising efforts to the general public.

I might say in passing that one of the principal things which will bring on normal conditions of business is the passing on to the consumer of the reduction in rvholesale prices of material. The hardwood dealers are passing the reduced sarvmill prices on to the planing mills, and I just rvant to leave this little thought with you, that is, 1'ou should pass these reduced prices to your customer. I think this is a necessary thing to do to bring back good times, and when everybody does it, we will be back to normal again.

Now then, what has been so far thought out and planned by millwork men for the success of their industry? One of the best things is cooperation. In prehistoric times, a tribe rvhich rvas addicted to internal disputes, was very easily overcome by the tribe well organized for united effort. This is a truism which no one can deny. You can only properly carry on a combat offensively or defensivell' b;- united effort.

The last thought I rvant to leave with you is that 1'ou planing mill men, and rve, the lumbermen, must for the preservation of the very life of our industry, be united. Because rvith a united front rve can, with all frankness betrveen ourselves, give our best thought toward combating the threats against our business. United we can be eternally on our toes so that business will not be taken arvay from us b;- substitute materials, and by outside competition.

-A.nd remember, by united effort I rn€an not only unity among the millmen themselves, but unity of mill work men, cabinet makers, retail lumbermen, wholesale lumbermen, and hardrvood lumbermen. A UNITED WOODWORKING INDUSTRY.

Don't blame us if Santa Claus doesn't do well by you-he'Il just be holding out. He has our order for a special run of Clear Allheart Vertical Grain Hoppiness fo, you all, old friends and newi enough to carry you through a right into Year.

NOTE: After Februaty lst, 1931, our San Francisco address will be 1O0 Bush Street. Our Phone Number will still be GArfield 1181.