Western Maple

El IG LEAF maple (Acer MacrolJphylJum) or as it is becoming more widely known, western maple, is a fast growing true maple which prospers in the fertile lowlands of the Pacific Northwest.

Because of its limited growing area compared to the eastern soft and hard maples, this Pacific Coast species has remained little known outside of its native western portions of the United States and Canada. However, the supply is surprisingly large. The U.S. Forest Service conservatively estimates the western or big leaf maple saw timber availability at in excess of 2.2 billion board feet.

This figure is even more impressive when it is remembered that the Forest Service only counts trees I l" in diameter and larger which are at least 25% sound. Western maple is also benefitting from improvements in logging methods which are promoting the growth of this prolific seeder.

Increasing numbers of furniture & cabinet manufacturers are expressing an interest because of its current freedom from export influence, the consistency of supply and certain favorable comparisons with the better known eastern maples.

For example, western maple yields comparable average widths as hard maple, tends to be free of stain and does not present worm holes.

Sellers of the wood say it offers the following reasons for consideration:

(1) Color is more stable with less variation than all soft maples and most hard maples.

(2) Easier to mill than eastern maple.

Story at a Glance

This relatively little known western hardwood has been gaining increasing interest with furniture and cabinet manufactu rers.

(3)

Less fall-down and reject from machining operations than hard maple.

(4)

More dimensionally stable than hard maple or birch, ash, beech, gum.

(5) Not as soft as basswood, aspen or poplar - will take more abuse and scuffing.

(6) Can be easily embossed and grained.

(7) Rigidity and compressed strength make it ideal for frame construction.

(8) Availability in all thicknesses from4l4 to 1214.

(9) Better jointing strength with screws, staples, dowels or glue blocks than poplar, silver maple, gum, red oak.

Lumber Production

Mr. Dwight Curran

Contributing Editor

The MerchantMagazrne

4500 Campus Drive Suite 480 Newport Beach, Ca. 92660

Dear Mr. Curran:

I'm not sure where you got your lumber production figures, but you can appreciate my surprise on learning that Pope & Talbot was not included in your table 4 listing of what appears to be the 14 largest producers following the top 10.

Attached is a copy of ont 1977 annual report, which indicates that Pope & Talbot's 1977 lumber production amounted to approximately 340 million board feet of lumber which surely sets it aside as one of the nation's leading lumber producers.

Naturally, in any future analysis of this type we would appreciate inclusion of Pope & Talbot and its substantial lumber production in any type of productional listing. As indicated earlier I am still confused as to why we were left out of this listing. It appears as if your information source is not complete.

Respectfully

H.R. Hutchins Director Corporate Communications

Pope & Talbot

1700 S.W.4th Ave. Portland, Qr.972O'l

Our summary of the Top Ten includes domestic production only. In Table 4, we must omit some Jirms that would otherwise qualify because of space limitations.- D.C.

A Different Bijnch

Like the man said, there's a different bunch doing it now. (see "Do You Remember?", p. 58, Sept. issue, The Merchant Magazine).

Ten years ago I knew about half the names in the "Personals" column. Now I sometimes know only one or two.

Verne Hawkins

25472 Barbara Arvin. Ca. 93203

Reader Hawkins retired from the Anin Lumber Co. in 1973 - ed.

San Diego Memories

Due to the many phone calls (and a few notes) I received after writing you before, (see The Merchant, Sept. p. Sil1 decided to put together a few of the many names I soon learned upon moving to San Diego in 1949. They were and are a damn good bunch of lumbermen to say the least, and smart too.

I believe the first one I met was George Johnson from National City, who stopped by with "diplomatic" Gene Zeiss of The Lumbermens Service Bureau to solicit our membership. Soon I got to know Merle Baker; Cliff Roberts (a great Hoo Hoo'er) who was holding Benson together; the Smiths, Herb and Joe,and Chet Whalen from Century; Dick Gurney, Art Jensen and that "man among men" Bill Cowling, Sr. who ran Dixie up in North Park on Ohio St.

Then there were Freds, Jr. and Sr. (Griswold) who owned Empire, just down the Santa Fe tracks with Johnny Nikkel. The Glassons were and still are on South Main.

Remember that family yard in El Cajon, W. D. Hall with Rex and Grant at the helm? I believe almost 20 "Halls" worked there at one time. Also, Larry Ingraham who managed Home Lumber in Chula Vista for many years. Klicka Lumber had closed but "Pete" became a good friend and customer in those early days across from Lindberg Field on old Hwy. l0l.

About this time Bob Reid ran La Mesa Lumber as Don Olson does today. And downtown George Cordrey

Merchant Magazine was the affable boss of Patten-Blinn. George was later secretary-manager of the lumbermen's association and even Helen Peterson, that exceptionally beautiful personality, will tell you he is a great guy.

Back then they called it Smith Trevor out in East San Diego and Harold Smith was "the man." Today it's H. G. Smith Lumber Co. on Federal Blvd. and Jim Gilchriest rules the roost. Syd Smith (no relation) had a little yard down towards National City. Syd was an old timer in San Diego.

Al Frost, Sr. was general manager at San Diego Lumber and Harry McGahey (a hell of a lumfelrnsn) was his right hand. The Easterly's, Olin and Jim, as well as Hugh McConnell played important roles in the success of "San Diego Lumber."

Glen Miner and Paul Stake were "running the spread" at l4th and Island,known as Whiting Mead.

At the foot of Columbia, "beadyeyed" Cy lrving bossed Western Lumber for the Sullivan family before John took the reins a few years later.

Now if that isn't a fine group I never knew one. But, boy, competition was keen.

The wholesalers in town were the Evenson's (American Mill and Lumber), Frost, Sullivan, M. Herrmann & Son (Marv), and "Ty" Cobb. Carl & Gus sold under the name of "Cal-Mex Lumber Co." and I guess still do.

Soon came to town Ed Boies with TW & J and Jack Phelps with USP and somewhere along in here John Ransom started selling for Dant and Russell on 28th St. where Dixieline later had a yard.

As the years went by I met more and more lumbermen in San Diego County, among them Gene Gauthier and Bobby Meredith, the Larricks, Sr. & Jr., Amos Geib and Bobby Lee, and the "W Gentlemen" Warren and Bill and Carl Bauer. Then I had the good fortune to meet "Bill" and "Otie" Heald, well here I am today. Bill is gone but Otie is teaching me more about the business everyday.

(714) 98 18Er

A few of those still in the industry who worked so hard and helped keep the doors open at "Airline" [a forqrunner of today's Dixieline Lumberl are Gil Freese, Bill Hamilton, Paul Dahlson, Bob Cole and Phil Warren at Dixieline, Saul Love of Lumber Purveyors, Willard Ellison of Boise Cascade, Art Fisher of Westy's Oceanside, Ray Bell of Wickes, Merlyn Johnson of Santa Ana Lumber, and "Sherm" Williams of Tom Thumb Lumber. Vista.

AI am happy to share these memories with you and your readers, and before long I will write again about the new and old friends we have met since coming to "Fallbrook for finest California living" in 1973.

Sincerely,

Bob Sutton Fallbrook Lumber Co.

801 So. Main Fallbrook. Ca.92028

P.S. I sure miss Grover Sanders. don't you?

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Aduertiseiments

replies to box number shown in ad in care of The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca.9266O. Make checks payable to The Merchant Magazine. Mail copy to above address or call (714) 549-8393. Deadline for copy is the 22nd of the month.

Help Wanted Help Wanted Services Offered

NEWPORT BEACH, CA. OPPORTUNITY

EXCEPTIONAL opportunity for experienced lumber traders. Excellent commission plan plus liberal fringe benefits. Get in on the ground floor with a first rate company. Deluxe working conditions in Newport Beach, Ca. Call Ken Gagne, Delta Forest Products, (714) 64048r''1.

WE'RE LOOKING for an experienced lumber inspector, and an experienced forklift operator. Contact Ken Tinckler, Stahl Lumber Co., 3855 E. Washington Blvd.. Los Anseles, Ca. 90068, (213) 2636844.

YOUNG. AGGRESSM wholesale lumber company needs rep to sell lumber yards and industrials, directs and units out-ofwarehouse. Salary plus liberal commission for experienced person. Benefits. Attractive sales office, large inventory to work from. Familiarity with either Fresno or Salinas areas helpful but not necessary. EOE. Send resume c/o Box 291, The Merchant Magazrne.

EXPERIENCED INSIDE salesman needed to anchor sales desk for established hardwood & softwood distribution yard, located in Bay Area. Salary commensurate with experience. Send resume, c/o The Merchant Magazine, Box 290.

RETAIL LUMBER SALESMAN

Persons with experience in retail sales of lumber, building materials and hardware wanted. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Company benefits available. For information or application contact personnel ollicer, Charles C. Meek Lumber Co.. P.O. Drawer F, Carson City, Nv.89701. (702)

WANTED: EXIERIENCED WHOLESALE lumber trader, buy and sell all species Northern California, Oregon and Northem Nevada market. Send rezume, marked personal: Larry Keller, Keller Lumber Sales, P.O. Box 4005, Redding, Ca. 95001.

SALES MANAGEMENT TYPE.

Minimum two years' experience in the building supplies industry to sell computer systems to that industry. Must like to travel. Salary plus commissions, should exceed $30,000. Computer background an asset, but not required. For further information, contact Mr. George McMurty, Vista Computer Co., a Div. of Randall Data Systems, 365 Maple Ave., Torrance, Ca. 90503. Phone (213) 320-3880.

IT IS relatively simple to determine the cost of advertising. It is extremely difficult to determine the cost of not advertising. Use The Merchant Magazine to carry your message. Either display ads or classified. Or both.

EXPANDING LUMBER WHOLESALER located in San Fernando Valley, Ca. has sales position open- If you want a career opportunity with a well-established, aggressive, progresive company, and would like to be associated with great people in deluxe working conditions, reply: William Perkins. Bums Lumber Co.. 16255 Ventura Blvd., Suite 600, Encino, Ca.91436.

Opportunity

Expansion has created an opening for an above average lumber salesman who is headed for a dynamic future. Established Sacramento, Ca., -based wholesale company with excellent financial strength and affitates. Commission bases with excellent fringes. New office facilities and great coworkers. Our employees know of this ad. Reply in confidence. Write box 288, clo The Merchant Magazine.

NEED AC'GR"ESSIVE sales Derson for direct mill phone sales * all foresi products, with or without following. Southern California (7 14',) 9 s7 -1633

WE NEED HELP!!!

THE RANDALL LUMBER CO., INC. needs complete staff for their new Huntington Beach, Ca. yard, opening approximately November 1, 1978. General Manager Sales Manager Yard Manager Mill Superintendent Shipbing Clerk Office Personnel

Call Bill Randall at ('ll4\ 52I-9612 or (213) 773-3738. All replies confidential.

OREGON BASED lumber wholesale co. is filling a position on our sales staff. If you are interested in a friendly, cooperative working atmosphere, as well as a generous commission schedule, give us an opportunity to show you how good the lumber wholesale business can be. Personal calls to: (503) 266{895 or send resumes c/o The

SALESMANAGER

MULTISTATE fullline buildine materials distributor; Intermountain region; salary open; mail rezume', including references. Reply c/o The Merchant Magazine,Box279.

INLAND MILL SALES

EXPERIENCED PERSON desired. Salary based on experience. Random length dimension and boards, also studs. Excellent hunting, fishing and winter sports. Call (208) 983-1290, or send resume to: Sales Manager, Wickes Forest Industries, P.O. Box 153, Grangeville, Id. 83530.

SALES OPPORTUNITY BUILDING MATERIAL distributor expanding in Northern and Southern California. Experience desired but not required. Send resume to P.O. Box 606, Galt, Ca. 95632.

Wanted To Buy

3x4 AND WIDER and 4x4 and wider twisted and weathered Douglas Fh S4S. Call Wm. Hunter, Hunter Woodworks, (213)775 2544 or (213) 835-5671.

For Sale

RETAIL LUMBER YARD, established 14 years. 7,000 sq. ft. Warehouse, office and yald arca. Machines, Iift trucks, equipment and inventory. Last year grossed $400,000.00. Excellent location in Longview/Kelso, Wa. area. Three person operation. Sale price, $165,000. to $180,000. depending on inventory. Warehouso and grounds will be leased at a reasonable rate. Will help finance up to 50% to the right party. Reason for selling, retirement. Send inquiries, cio The Merchant Magazine, box 287.

WELL ESTABLISHED lumber-hardware business Southem Califomia population center. Buy business, inventory, fixtures, equipment. Lease property. Good buildings, lumber streds. Call (7t4) 995-1341.