Masonry Magazine September 1969 Page. 7
Mason Contractor News...
NBS Slates Conference
"Performance of Masonry Structures" is the theme of a conference to be held at the National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, Md., March 16-18, 1970. The conference will be jointly sponsored by NBS, the National Concrete Masonry Association, and the Structural Clay Products Institute.
During the past five years there has been a significant increase in the structural use of masonry. This national conference, the first to be jointly sponsored by the national masonry trade associations and NBS, will provide a comprehensive review of current aspects of masonry research, design, and construction. Formal presentations and open discussions will permit an exchange of data and information of interest to architects, engineers, con- (Continued on page 28)
CHICAGO
MCAAO
SHERMAN HOUSE
FEBRUARY 14-17
ARA Meets in Chicago
"Toward Total Architecture Teams and Systems" is the theme of the 11th annual Convention and Exhibition of the Society of American Registered Architects which will be held in Chicago at the Palmer House, November 1-5, 1969.
Commenting on the convention theme, ARA President, Roy D. Murphy of Urbana, Illinois said: "It summarizes a major concern of the Society-the need for architects to develop, in cooperation with allied professions, industries and suppliers, an architectural service comprehensive enough to meet our growing national requirement for new construction. One of the primary objectives of our convention sessions, therefore, will be to (Continued on page 28)
CMCA Meets with Benson
On Friday, August 8th, a delegation of the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association met with the Minister of Finance, the Honourable E. J. Benson, in his Ottawa office to present a Brief relating to Capital Cost Allowances for certain masonry contractors' equipment.
Left to right are: F. R. DesOrmeaux, Quebec Regional Vice President: Eugene George, CMCA President, and The Hon. E. J. Benson.
Representing the Association were: President Eugene George of Kitchener, First Vice President, Harry Morstead of Calgary, Regional Vice Presidents, Len Jones of Saskatoon and F. R. DesOrmeaux of Montreal, and J. R. Ellis, Executive Director. Also assisting in the presentation was Mr. Merlis Belsher, a member of the Na-
Pictured during the presentation of the brief are: (1. to r.) Merlis Belsher, National Concrete Producers Association: Harry Morstead, CMCA's First Vice President and Western Regional Vice President Len Jones.
tional Concrete Producers Association who was instrumental in preparing the Brief.
The Brief asks for an increase in Capital Cost Allowances from 30% to 50% by placing a number of fast-wearing pieces of equipment in Class 22. Much of this equipment lasts only one season but enjoys only a 30% depreciation write-off.
The Minister who was supported by Mr. F. R. Irwin, Director, Tax Policy Division of the Department of Finance, stated that it was the intention of the Department to review all depreciation allowances as they referred to construction equipment.
The Minister asked for further information and the delegation left his office feeling that their presentation had been well received and hopeful that at least some of the requested changes would be forthcoming.
N.Y. Man Hours Up
Bricklayers in the New York metropolitan area increased their contribution to the New York building effort by chalking up a higher figure in the man hours worked category in the first half of this year. According to Joseph Holme, president of the Metropolitan Brick Masonry Council, "We are already ahead of the first half figures for 1968 which was an excellent year."
Membership in the council consists of the seven local unions of the Bricklayers, Masons & Plasterers International Union, and the various mason contractors in the greater New York (Continued on page 28)
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