In 1938 Isaac Moruza, a junior at Lassen Union High School, was the winner of the Wooden Box Essay Contest sponsored by the Susanville Wooden Box Committee. For his efforts he was given ten dollars. Below is his paper:
“The people of Susanville as well as the people of the entire Honey Lake Valley depend upon the wooden box industry for their occupational income. This statement does not seem possibly true to many visitors of our lumbering city. Yet, no occupation or office could be named that does not receive aid from the lumber mills in a direct or indirect manner.
“Consider the farmer. We realize that his home is not a factory as it was many years ago, since now he does not make his own tools, spikes or clothes. But he comes in to the markets of Susanville to sell his products for cash money. Tis cash money is then invested in new tools, food clothes or other necessities not produced on the farm. The mill employees then buy the farmer’s products through merchantmen thus helping to develop trade and commerce. The merchant then brings machinery, food and clothes into town, thus helping the development of transportation, repair shops, gasoline stations and highway construction. Then follow the lawyers and other men of offices with services to sell, and school instructors who render their services by educating every boy and girl. This flow of life-giving occupations is indefinite in number.
“If the wooden box industry is life-giving industry of this community why not, then, give it hope and aid by demanding products in ‘wooden boxes’?
Every merchant in town can use wooden boxes. He not only helps the lumber industry but he also gives himself the business derived from the employment of men to make those boxes. When he uses a wooden box he is actually saving himself cash money by the reduction of damages to the products he receives. The wholesale companies also profit because they do not have to worry about their products while en route to the retail merchant.
“Whenever products are shipped in cardboard boxes considerable damage results. This damage must finally be paid by the consumer. The statement shows that it pays to ship in wooden boxes.
“Every merchant should demand his products in wooden boxes and every housewife should, in turn, refuse to accept her groceries unless they be packed in wooden boxes.
“If the development of the wooden box industry is neglected our good town of Susanville will undoubtedly become another ghost town caused by the inconsistent operation of the lumber mills.”