American Plywood Assn. exec. vp. Bronson J. Lewis reported that the plywood industry in the West currently is 1,200 cars a week short out of a total of. 2,424 cars required.

ooWe are hopeful that a number of remedial actions now underwav or planned by Congress, the Interstate Commerce Commission and others will provide some improvement in our transportation situation in the months aheado" he added.

In a move to prod shippers to release freight cars faster, the ICC has tightened demurrage rules covering boxcars, covered hoppers and gondolas. The new order reduces free time from M to 24 hours and increases demurrage charges after nine days to $50 per day per car from the current $30. The ruling took efiect March 16 and expires July 31. Flar cars are excepted.

Prior to the impact of the boxcar shortage, which is linked primarily