TNT II]NIBER

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, HARDWOOD . PLYWOOD . . . PALLETSTOCK WHOLESALE ONLY

P.O. Box 196, Alamo, California 94507-0196 (510) 837-9545 FA)( (510) 837-283E cALTFoRNtA TOLL FREE WATS (E00) 521-4-TNT

ATTN: LUMBER BUYERS AI\D SELLERS

NOW AVAIIABLE: A new "high tech" way to buy and sell lumber. TNT FAX NETWORK is easy, fast, saves you money and the TNT Fax Network gets results.

TNT's new computerized fax system provides lumber buyers and sellers with current weekly price and availability updates. The system faxes your inquiries to almost every U.S. West Coast and Canadian sawmill, giving your lumber needs immediate exposure. Fax Bulletins can be to all mills or by group, species or size. Mills: we can fax out your offerings to over 4OO TNT customers.

To be included in the TNT FAX NETWORK and receive your weekly offerings, simply fill out the information below and fax it to us. We'll add your requirements immediately. There is no cost or obligation to be included in the TNT FAX NETWORK.

Don't let the Canadian duties, shortage of logs, lack of production or runaway prices cause you problems. ACT TODAY! Become part of the TNT FAX NETWORK.

FAX us your inquiries today!We'll respond to you as quickly as possible. JUST FAX lT (510) 837-2838 WE USE (or produce) THE FOLLOWING: flHardwood n Softwood tr Dry tr Green

Rising prices need an explanation

I S forest products prices have recently soared, customer complaints over these increases have likewise soared. Each level of this industry needs to put these price changes in perspective ifwe expect to retain long term customers. It's not price gouging and we need to explain why prices are increasing.

It's not a question that lends itselfto quick and easy "sound bite' answers even though the essence of the problem is a classic supply/demand imbalance,

For more than 20 years, government has been setting aside forestlands at an increasing rate, dramatically reducing the acreage that traditionally supplied wood fiber. This is expected to continue for the next few years at least.

The Environmental Impact Statement and the Endangered Species Actare devices belovedby the envfuonmental lobby to slow and halt timber harvesting. Through public donations the preservationists have raised millions of dollars to support an extremely effective public relations machine that perverts the real story. Despite playing fast and loose with the truth, they have nonetheless convinced millions that cutting trees anywhere, anytime, for any reason is a crime against nature.

Even at today's elevated prices, lumber is a bargain as its pricing has not kept pace with inflation. From October 1979 through December 1991 consumer price inflation was83.4%. By that measure, Douglas fir prices in December should have been $615 per thousand board feet, over twice the actual price.

Higher forest products prices are expected as demand increases this year. Increases so far have been supply driven, now demand is anticipated to add its lift to the increases.

For the industry's long term health, it's essential customers at all levels are told our supply/demand story. They need to know that we're not the bad guys in this scenario.