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METAL LATH

ASSOCIATED METAL LATH MANUFACTURERS
Adopted Jan. 10, 1924:

A CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE METAL LATH

INDUSTRY

We want it to be the duty of every individual engaged in the metal lath business to co-operate with his competitors and his customers in an endeavor to build up and improve the business that affords him a livelihood, to aid effectively in establishing proper trade relations and sound competitive conditions and to refrain from all practices and customs that are obviously injurious to the business as a whole; further, to influence the proper use of the material and other materials used in combination with it, to advocate safety from fire for life and property, and to prevent depreciation of property by providing a more crack-resistive base for plaster. To this end the following Code of Ethics is subscribed to as a policy for the manufacturing companies and a guide for the activities of the individuals in the industry.

Practices Covering the Manufacture of Metal Lath

1. All lath made from sheets galvanized before cutting shall conform to the American standard of galvanizing.

2. All bundles of lath shall be identified with a tag giving the weight of the lath per square yard and the kind of metal.

3. Special metals or special paints shall have a distinguishing color so as to avoid confusion with the standard steel lath and paint.

4. Every manufacturer shall assume full responsibility for any deviation from the tag, because as much harm can come from accidental as from improper tagging.

5. Every manufacturer agrees to abide by the Simplification of Excess Varieties as promulgated in the Department of Commerce Recommended Practice No. 3. No weights shall be produced lower than those recommended by the Department of Commerce. Ingenuity of design is not to be handicapped by this recommendation.

6. Every manufacturer shall have an accurate system of ascertaining the cost of his lath, including the depreciation of

plant and machinery, interest, leases, rent, taxes, insurance, overhead, cost of selling and all other proper charges.

Practices Covering the Sale and Use of Metal Lath

1. Manufacturers shall form selling connections only with efficient and responsible representatives whose loyalty to the industry is unquestioned.

2. It should be borne in mind that it costs more to sell to the retail trade than to the wholesale trade.

3. The principle is hereby recognized that a practice. of selling a commodity directly to the consumer which does not permit of a reasonable profit to a distributor will ultimately destroy the interest of distributors in promoting the sale of such a commodity.

4. No one shall be a party to influencing the cancellation of a contract already taken in good faith.

5. Salesmen should not make a practice of taking the customer's word as to propositions made by competitors, for the unscrupulous buyer always omits details either intentionally or otherwise which have an important bearing on the attractiveness of the proposition. The buyer who shows or pretends to show you the bids of others to induce a lower figure from you may be practicing the same tricks on your competitors.

6. No action shall be taken that infringes upon the ruling of the Federal Trade Commission or the laws of the country. These, however, do not prohibit friendship between competitors, and frank discussions of conditions in the industry and of the means whereby wily and dishonest buyers may be effectively discouraged are in no way a violation of the law.

7. Salesmen shall not sell any lath for a use which does not conform to the standard Minimum Specifications of the Metal Lath Manufacturers. Thus the salesman shall be responsible to his employer to maintain the standard minimum lath for each use thereof.

8. No salesman shall engage in destructive criticism of a competitor's lath. All sales arguments should be constructive, as any other will in the long run discredit the industry.

9. No metal lath salesman shall co-operate in bringing about contracts for the covering of metal lath by other than reputable contractors whose work will be permanent and a credit to the metal lath industry.

10. Salesmen should be instructed that it is a violation of the Federal Trade Commissioner's rulings to pay commissions to estimators, secretaries, etc.

11. It should be a duty and pleasure for more experienced salesmen to impart to less experienced competitors information concerning the metal lath business. In this way the element of ignorance which does so much to demoralize the metal lath business may be partially eliminated and one of the most dangerous features of competition destroyed. Salesmen should remember that knowledge kindly imparted makes a business friend of one who would probably otherwise become a business foe.

12. Manufacturers should employ as salesmen only such men as by experience or education have the qualifications to quickly understand the details of building construction.

13. Salesmen shall be placed under the double supervision of their Company and the Association for the maintenance of their part of this Code of Ethics.

MILLWORK

SOUTHERN SASH, DOOR AND MILLWORK
MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION

Adopted Aug. 16, 1923:

CODE OF ETHICS

The members of the Southern Sash, Door & Millwork Manufacturers' Association subscribe to the following general rules to be applied in the conduct of their business :

In the conduct of our business and in our relations with our competitors, our customers and our employees, justice and fair dealing should characterize every transaction.

In the realization that higher business standards are to be attained through the education of our members, let each maintain an open mind toward all things which tend to better business practices.

Prove to our competitors that we are as sincere and honest in all matters as we could wish them to be.

Take no advantage of the ignorance of a customer, nor allow any employee or salesman to do so.

Make no estimates without knowing clearly all details connected with the work to be done, that there may be avoided any misunderstandings or disagreements with customers incident to "extra charges."

Under no circumstances make estimates on work completed by another millworker where there is a chance that his charges are thereby to be "checked up." No one except the manufacturer who produced the work can know fully all the details of its production.

In our dealings with our workmen let us ever be mindful that there is resting on us, as employers, a grave responsibility. For we should by example and precept endeavor to inculcate the highest ideals of manhood and character, and emphasize the responsibility of every thinking man as a citizen of the United States of America, for the rightful discharge of his duties thereunder.

Hiring employees away from a competitor, or inducing them by other means to leave his service, must be recognized as a sure way to invite reprisal and a general demoralization of the local labor conditions. It is unquestionably the right of the workman to use all reasonable efforts to better his condition, but

employers can do one another or the employee no greater wrong than to virtually become "bidders" for his services.

A fair wage for a fair day's work should be the thought in fixing the rates of pay of our employees, having also due regard to general living conditions. Securing a fair profit on all work we do is doubly necessary for the protection of the employer, and the just remuneration of the workman, that he may maintain himself under such proper living conditions as will conduce to good citizens and good workmanship.

We should recognize that only by training all the apprentices which trade customs allow, can there be maintained a sufficient body of trained workmen in this industry, and that it is the duty of every employer to do his share in this most important work. Therefore, the selection of apprentices should not be left to chance, but rather be given the careful study of the employer himself, to the end that the industry be not harmed by the introduction of unsuitable or undesirable men.

When an apprentice is taken into the shop, much care should be taken in seeing that he be properly trained and given the opportunity to become a thoroughly proficient workman.

We desire to promote the Millwork business for the general good of the entire industry and the welfare of our country. To refuse to pay bribes or "commissions" to buyers, purchasing agents or others who may thus be induced to place orders with us. Business so acquired is sure to develop undesirable

characteristics.

We believe in publicity and research, the education of all branches of the industry to the highest standards, and in the dissemination of the proper knowledge of the economic uses of such material that enters into the production of millwork.

And finally, let the Millworker be ever diligent in business; quick to perceive the good and alert to repel the evil; ever mindful of the rights of others; as quick to take blame as to place it on others; courteous and considerate of others, particularly if they be less fortunate than himself; and in every way a true American gentleman.

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