A Noble Experiment

By Al Bell, publisher

Another in a long line of innovators, dynamic David H. Rush, current president of North American Wholesale Lumber Association, spearheaded a recent two-day meeting in Hot Springs, Ark., designed to determine if NAWLA can play a role in helping its manufacturing friends to explain forest management to the public.

Hosted magnificently by Weyerhaeuser Co. and the U.S. Forest Serviceo the meeting was divided into a one day field trip and a dayos general session devoted to a panel discussion of forest management and multiple use of forest lands. The field trip took the 80 plus participants to Weyerhaeuser properties in the morning and Forest Service activities in the afternoon.

Guided by dedicated young foresters, the group first viewed the Dierks manufacturing complex, which is designed to u se eoery part ol the tree, limbs, bark, and leaves or needles includedan unparalleled demonstration of recovery technology. The preservationists can't argue about waste in this operation. Later we inspected the Dierks block timberlands, which included everything from clear cutting areas, through seed orchards, to various age trees in blocks which fully demonstrated the theory of high yield forestry. A thrilling experience for the uninitiated.

The afternoon was spent with one Robert N. Kitchens, district ranger, Womble Ranger District, Ouachita National Forest (pronounced Washeeta).

It is unlikely the Forest Service has a ranger in their employ who can tell the story of their activities better than Kitchens. He is folksy, humorous, dedicated and knowledgeable, definitely destined for higher things.

We learned about the Super Tree and how all the seedlings in the tree orchards are descendants of these carefully chosen trees.

We learned about even age plantings, and how yield per acre could be maybe tripled per acre in even aged stands.

We learned how wildlife thrived, erosion was better controlled. and multiple use a reality in properly managed forests and Tree Farms. A splendid experience!

The next day featured a stining address by Weyerhaeuser's senior v.p. Lowry Wyatt. Those who have heard him know there is no one more articulate, particularly on the subject ofconservation and the industry needs to educate the public.

Will this noble experiment in communications lead to a wellrounded program for NAWLA members to reach the public and their peers at the local level? Those who were at Hot Springs assimilated the basic facts. They were convinced of the necessity to educate the public. We predict a viable program will result with ultimate benefit to the industry.

26th Annual Valley Frolic

Don Johnson, Citizens Lumber Co., has been installed as president of San Joaquin Hoo-Hoo Club No. 3l at the 26th Annual Valley Frolic.

New members are: Curtis Crow, Glen Drake, American Forest Products; Duane Goertz, Rich Bros. Lumber; Ed Hall, Oregon Pacific Industries; Elvin Haworth, Valley Frame and Moulding; Robert Jackson, Home Lumber Co.; Craig Kennedy, Geo. W. Kennedy & Sons; Thomas Lampe, Lampe Lumber Co.; Gary Long, Long's Building Supply; Chuck Wills and Ted Mathewso Pacific Forest Products; Harry Mendenhall, Lumber Merchants Assn.; Robert Reid, Reid and Wright, [nc.; Rich Taylor, American Forest Products; Ken Wells, A A Plywood and Door Co.

Participants in the initiation were: Hamilton Knott, Bob Rader, Wally Kennedy, Earl Ruth, Normen Cords, Dale Smith, Craig Gaffney, Mike Parli, Gordon Knott and visiting officer Dwight Curran.

Eastern Oregon Pine to L-P Agreement to purchase Eastern Oregon Pine Co., Lakeview, Ore. by Louisiana-Pacific Corp. has been announced by Douglas A. Westenhaver, Jr., L-P v.p.-western operations and Lawrence Mclellan, president and Kenneth Rose, v.p. and secretary of Eastern Oregon Pine.

The acquisition, for an undisclosed amount of cash, will include a sawmill, planing mill, dry kilns, 1,700 acres of fee timber, plus rights to two years of harvestable timber on federal, state and private cutting contracts.

The sawmill, located in Lake County, Ore., has an annual capacity of 50 million board feet of pon- derosa pine, Douglas fir and hemlock lumber; 55 are employed at this location.

"With the exception of retiring officers, Mclellan and Rose, management will remain the same," said Westenhaver.

Suit Charges Plywood Firms

Some fifty makers of plywood have been charged with antitrust violations in a class action suit filed in New Orleans by a group of Maryland and Virginia building and development concerns operating in the Washington, D.C. area.

Among the defendants are

Georgia-Pacific Corp.; ChamPion lnternational Corp.; Boise Cascade Corp.; Weyerhaeuser Co.; International Paper Co.; and St. Regis Paper Co.

The suit charges that the plywood firms conspired to discriminate in prices charged to different purchasers of softwood plywood.

No response has been forthcoming from the firms charged.

Bf4Va-:AD

C. ESSLEY & SON

specializes in supplying hard to find species, cuts or grades, in domestic softwoods and hardwoods. Don't waste time - Call American Lumber Species-.we can fill the bill fast.