b"fromindividualdirectorsormembersofMRCAdoesnot,ofcourse,mean thattheAssociationnecessarilyendorsesandapprovesthesubstanceof theitem.Theopinionsexpressedarethoseoftheindividualcontributor. ARoofingContractor 1 sDilemma Forthepast30monthsto3yearsroofingcontractorsas wellasotherconstructionsub-contractorshavetrieddesperately toridethestormywavesofmaterialshortages,theenergycrisis andspirallingcostsofsame,includinglabor.Itwasonlymid-way throughthatwerealizedouronlysalvationwasescalationclauses. Thiswasafightatbest.Manyagreementsweremadeorallyby goodcustomersandourselvesandnowarebeingforgotten,especially sincethebuildingsarecompletedandrentedorsold.OurgovernmenthadmostofthecompaniesunderPhase4,whichkeptusfrom increasingourcosts,andwecanallthankWatergateforlifting allcontrolsofmanufacturersonApril30,1974,leavingthe contractortosinkorswimthebestwaypossible. Theonlypleasureofferedroofingcontractorsduringthesocalledshortageperiodwasthattheownersandbuildersrefrained frombidshoppingandtherooferfinallyreachedhisplateauof importanceanddignity.Thispleasurehasbeenshortlived.As ofnow,thepresenteconomyhasturnedthesituationaboutface andtheshylockbuyersareagainreachingfortheirpoundofflesh. Thelackofworkforcescompaniesinmanycasestotakeworkjust foroverhead.Jobsthatwereundercontractarebeingrebidand inmanycasesarenotendingupwiththecontractorwhostocked therequiredmaterialsandincurredtheexpenseofinsurance, doublehandlingformanymonths,andinterestonmoneyusedto buysame. Conditionssuchasthis,coupledwithMr.Meany'sstatementto strikeeventhoughunemploymentrises,makeforanotherperiodin ourbusinesscareersrequiringthatweinventoryourexperiences andchartacoursetofollow.Butwhosecrystalballwillneedto beusedtoconfuseusthistime?Justtoaddtothepredicament, wecanexpectOSHAtostepupitseffortstobuildinmoreinflationarycosts,which,inmostcases,arenotsafetymeasuresbut moreobstaclestoconfusethenowover-burdenedforemenand superintendents,letalonetheemployerwhoendsuppayingthe costs. Itis myhopethatthisrecessionisalessonforlabor, managementandmanufacturerstofinallyjoinforcesandbeginto getthiscountry'snationalproductbackwhereitshouldhave beenpermittedtobe. ItMayPaytoBeSelective Manymalpracticesuitsandexcessivecourtawardsagainst themedicalprofessionandhospitalshavecausedmedicalmalpracticeinsurancecoststosoartosuchheightsthatdoctors -"