# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S262
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

262 Publication Matters

_ .of St. Louis, Mo., on July 26, 1941. We feel that our'new Articles
of Incorporation and By-Laws fully cover our activities as the of-
ficial publishing house of Synod. ,

During the past three years our activities have grown remark-
-ably, and it was possible to transfer a total of $330,000.00 to:Synod’s

treasury since its last convention. It is- impossible to submit the
financial statement covering the past triennium with this report, as
the fiscal year does not end until April 30; however, such a finan-
cial statement will be distributed to the delegates at the time of
Synod.
Of course, the war is having its effect on the activities of Con-
cordia Publishing House. Thus far fourteen employees have been
drafted into the armed forces of our country. The loss of these
men and the difficulty of hiring other trained men during this
period has in no'small measure affected the operations of the plant
and. the office. While our sales have almost doubled during the
past three years, it was necessary to handle this increased volume
with only a slightly increased force, an almost impossible task, in
which the employees co-operated admirably by working many
hours overtime and giving up much of their free time.

Government regulations are. also having a somewhat detri-
mental effect upon our activities. A number of items are restricted,
particularly paper, and these restrictions have made it necessary to
reduce the format of the Lutheran Witness as well:as to use a
lighter-weight paper. Other periodicals have also been reduced
in the number of pages, as, for instance, the Concordia Theological
. Monthly and the Concordia Messenger,

Government regulations and priorities have made themselves
felt especially in the purchasing of new equipment. It has been
impossible to obtain new presses and other new machinery. This
has compelled Concordia Publishing House to farm out the printing
and binding of some books. All this work, however, will be trans-
ferred back to our plant as soon as the acquisition of equipment
and manpower makes this possible.

The Board of Directors considers itself fortunate in having
erected a one-story addition to the manufacturing plant just prior
to the war. This addition provided much-needed space for the
pressroom and the pamphlet bindery. During the triennial period
the salesroom was completely remodeled and enlarged. At the
same time the office was remodeled, both changes commensurate
with the dignity of Synod. The mailing and shipping departments
were transferred to other parts of the plant and enlarged. How-.
ever, we must confess that because of the increased volume which
is being handled today the facilities of even these enlarged quarters ,
.are being taxed almost beyond capacity, and further expansion will
become necessary ‘in the ‘very near future. Conditions in our