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Mohogony Outlook for t 956

If the present consumption levels of mahogany lumber and veneer by the furniture industry continue or increase, 1956 u'ill be as good a year as 1955, or probably better. Although not the highest on record, the 1955 calendar period ranks with some of the top years. It will be better than t954.

Both mahogany lumber and mahogany veneer sl-ripments are expected to share in the gains recorded by the industry during the year just ended. Mahogany lumber shipments in 1955 will probably be approximately 5O/o ahead of 1954' while mahogany veneer shipments will probably register a 15/o gain over a year ago.

Although at the moment supply and demand are just about in balance, if the high level of consumption should advance still further, as might happen following the January furniture markets, there could be some shortages in certain grades and thicknesses.

Cognizant of this possibility, however, importing concerns are redoubling their efforts to increasq importation of mahogany logs. Like all things, the mahogany industry is subject to unforeseen hazards that could affect log supply.

Factors that point to a good mahogany year in 1956 include the bright outlook in furniture production, the return of beautiful wood cabinets in the television and radio fields, the new design trend in natural finishes, the quality paneling trend in home building and architecture, and the better materials movement in boat building, occasional furniture and novelties. The furniture industry already reports orders booked through March lvith operations at full capacity'

Pqrtoarrh

, The Dill Lumber Company employes, wives, husbands and guests held their annual holiday party at the home of Sylvester Ambrose, Bloomington, Calif.

Mrs. Ella Curto, former office manager of Dicknsons Lumber Company, has joined Walt Bailey at West Coast Forest Products Co. as office manager. She really ,.grew up" in the lumber business in Chico, headquarters of Diamond Match Co., and many lumber folks remember her as Ella Cooper, good right-hand of Ira Brink, manager of yards and stores, and his assistant, Del Travis, who is now president of Travco, Inc., San Jose. Mrs. Curto spent three war years in the USMC purchasing department and returned to the lumber business in the Sacramento valley. She married Mr. Curto and moved to San Francisco, where she worked for Dicknsons until the death of Dick Mussalem last summer. The Curtos now live on the Peninsula. near \A'CFPC's San Mateo offices.

P. L. Martthies of the P. L. Matthies Lumber Co., Los Angeles, recently returned from his South American trip and found awaiting him in his mailbox a notice that he had won one of the prizes in the recent Zeesman ,,World Series" baseball contest. Norman Zeesman, president of the Zeesman Plywood Corp., had thought for a while he might have to make Latin delivery of the prize.

Ed La,Franchi, Pacific Forest Products, Inc., Oakland, and E. W. Spaulding of Eureka, chairman of the pFp board, spent the week of January 16 visiting Bruce Brickell at Pacific Forest's Grants Pass buying office.