Evening star., 1937-05-22
COUNCIL TO WEIGH
BUILDING FIELDS.
Problems of Industry to Be
Acted on at Boston
Session.

and problems of the building industry
will be acted upon by the Producers
oouncil, composed Of manufacturers
Of building materials and equipment
representing an invested capital Of
nearly $4,000, 100000 at sessions to be
held in conjunction with the 10th con-
vention of the American Institute Of
Architects in Boston, June l to S.
A principal event will be an open
meeting on Wednesday, June 2, at
} pm, at which a proposal to con-
solidate the Manufacturers Housing
Promotion Council and the National
Housing Advisory Council with the
Producers Council will be acted upon.
The plan contemplates the creation by
the Producers Council of a sales
promotion and education division.
The Manufacturers Housing Pro-
motion Council came into existence
following meeting of industry called
by Peter Grimm at the instance Of
Secretary Morgenthau in September
1885. Its first objective was CO.
operation with the F. H A. in setting
up standards for home shows. "As an
informal organization it succeeded in
turning these from a racket into
legitimate business" says a statement
issued by the Producers Council,
which is affiliated with the American
Institute of Architects, in explaining
the proposed merger. 1T has con-
centrated on home shows and national
exhibitions, and in this endeavor it
has attained high success"
Forum Formed Years Ago.
About two years ago the National
Housing Advisory Council was formed
IN Washington to act as discussion
forum for various associations of in
dividual companies in the building
industry. 1t is an informal organi-
cation made up principally OF the
washington representatives Of nation
al industry associations.
"A large amount of thought has been
devoted to the possible functions of the
proposed sales promotion and educa-
uonal division, and a comprehensive
plan has been prepared covering prac-
tically all of the things which manu-
tacturers in industry agree ought to
be done but, as individuals, cannot
undertake." according to the state
ment of the Producers Council
Particularly emphasized is the home
building market.
Assuming that there is a crying
need in the industry for one virile CO.
operative organization to develop the
market for building materials for the
best interest of all units, it seems
obvious that Producers Council, as
the oldest and strongest of the three
organizations, should undertake it. To
do so means a departure from its
past confined sphere of activity and
the extension Of its influence into
fields hitherto considered, by the con-
servative element of its membership
at least, as not part of its function.
Under its articles of incorporation it
can engage in wide activities OF this
kind
Small Houses Greatest Field.
producers Council has been de-
veloped to do and is doing a job now
for its entire membership, a number
1lUeISSC
IN the small-house market. But the
point OF attack of any plan Of educa-
ton and sales promotion must be in
the small-house field because that is
the outlet for the vast majority Of
building materials today, Therefore,
any plan to increase Producers
Council activities must be considered
An addition to present functions and
services rather than a substitution
therefor, or absorption thereof"
E. Kent Hubbard, president of the
Connecticut Manufacturers Associa-
tion, will speak on The Relation of
the Building Industry to Recovery
from Business Angle" at a joint
luncheon of the Producers Council
and the institute on Thursday, June 3.
On Tuesday, the opening day, mem
bers of the institute and the council
Will visit Winchester, Concord and
other historic places and will attend
. reception by President Stephen F.
voorhees, of the institute and Mrs.
voorhees,. The annual dinner Of the
council will take place on Wednesday,
June 2, at the Hotel Somerset. On
Friday, June 4, there will be a busi-
ness session and meeting of the
councils directors.
F. R. Gilpatric of the Stanley
Works, New Britain, Conn, is presi-
dent of the council and J. C. Bebb Of
the Otis Elevator Co., New York, is
chairman Of the board. Many of the
nations leading industries will be
represented at the councils sessions.
paralleling those of the institute
which will plan Nationwide studies
OF housing conditions nationally
Tney include the Aluminium COMPANY
OF America, General Electric Co..
American Brass Co., American Radi-
ator Co., Air Reduction Co., the
National Lead Co., Johns-Manville
Corp, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co..
National Electric Manufacturers As
sociation, Westinghouse Electric and
Manufacturing Co.