Ceiling Prices for '!(/esternPine Lumber Effective Feb. 15

Ceiling prices on Western Pine Lumber were issued by the Office of Price Administration on Februarv 3 and thev become effective February lS, 1942.

A copy of the price schedule follows:

Title 3z-National Defense

Chapter XI-Office of Price Administration

Part 1312-Lurnber and Lumber Products

Price Schedule No. 9,f-Western Pine Lumber

This Schedule brings under a price ceiling Western pine lumber, the largest remaining section of thelsoftwood lumber industry not previously regulated by a Price Schedule. ft covers ponderosa pine, Idaho white pine, sugar pine, which species account for approximately 2L per cent oi the total lumber production in the United States. ponderosa, Idaho white, and sugar pine lumber are used in the ma.tufacture of pine millwork and boxes, and for interior and exterior construction purposes, with a considerable degree of interchangeability. The lower grades of ponderosa"and sugar pine are particularly well-adapted to the box market. In addition to the civilian demand for these woods both for building construction and for container purposes, particu- larly containers for a.gricultural products ind-canned^ goods, government lgfinS for use in cantonment construction purposes, as well as for boxes for armament and other war purpose-s,.is becoming an increasingly important factor. A study of the Western-pine industryieveals that the increase in prices has markedly outstripped cost advances, and that a ceiling is necessary in order to halt the upward trend in prices. The prices set herein generally foilow the levels existing during the period OctobEr l-15,1941, and have been found to be high enough to bring out the full volume of production called for by present needs. However, the schedule iq sufjsct to revision if further study of the profits in this industry ;how-s the need for a decreaie or other change in the schedule prices.

Accordingly, under the authority vested in me by Executive Order No. 8734, it is hereby directed that:

I3L2.251 Maximum Prices for Western pine Lurnber. On and after February 15, 1942, regardless of the terms of any contract of sale or purchase, or other commitment, no person shall sell, offer to sell, deliver. or transfer. for'domestic or export use, any Western pine lumber, where the shipment originates at the mill rather than at a distribution yard. at prices higher than the maximum prices set forth in Appendices A, B and C hereof. incorporated herein as sections 1312.26f, 1312.261, and 1312.262 iespectively: provided. That in the case of retail sales as defined in Section 1372.257 (f), where the shipment originates at a mill rather than at a distribution yard, a mark-up of not more than 3.50 per 1.000 feet board measure may be added to the maximum prices set forth herein.*

*Sections 1312.251 to 1312.262, inclusive, issued pursuant to authority contained in Executive Orders Nos.^8734. 8875.

6 F. R. 1917,4483.

1312.252 Less than Maximum Prices. Lower orices than those set {orth in App-endices A. B. and C. may be chargeo, demanded. paid, or offered.*

1312.253 Evasion. The price limitations set forth in this Schedule shall not be evaded whether by direct or indirect methods in connection^ with a purchase, sale, delivery or transfer of Western pine lumber, alone or in conjunition with. any other material; or by way of any commission, service, transportation, or other charge, or discount, prem- ium. or other privilege; or by tying-agreement, or 'other trade understanding; or by making terms or conditions of sale more onerous than those in effect or available to the purchaser on October l, 1941, or by unnecessarily routins lumber through a distribution yard; or by unreasonabl! refusing to ship except in specihed lengthl or widths, or under other circumstan,ces entitling the seller to a premium; or by charges for delivery which ixceed the actuil cost to the seller of such delivery except as provided in section 1312.258-hereof ; or by falsily or wrongly grading or invoicing lumber; or by grading as a special lriAe tufttrer which can be graded as a standard grade; or by any other means.*

1312.254 Records and Reports. Every person who, during any calendar month, shall sell. deliver or transfer j+.OOO poulds or more of Western pine lumber for shipment orig- in-atlng at. the mill, shall keep for inspection by ttre Offife of Price Administration, fora period-of not leis than one year, complete and accurate records of every sale, delivery or transfer of such lumber made during suci month, showing the date thereof, the name and addiess of the buyer. the prices, and the quantities and grades sold.

Persons affected by this Schedule shall submit such report to the Office of Price Administration as it mav from time to time require.*

1312.255 Enforcement. In the event of refusal or failure to. abide by .the price limitations, record requirements, or other provisions of this Schedule, or in the event of any evasion or attempt to evade the price limitations or other provisions of this Schedule, the Office of price Administration will invoke all appropriate sanctions at its command, inc-luding ta-k11S action-to iee (a) that the Congress and the p.ublig are fully informed thereof, (b) that ti-e pou,,ers of the Government are fully exerted in'order to piotect the public interest and the inierests of those Derso.ri who com- ply with this Schedule, and (c) that the procurement services of the Government are requested to refrain from purchasing Western pine lumber from those oersons who those persons who purchasing 'Western lumber fail to comply with this Schedule.

Persons who have evidence of any ofier, receipt, clemand or payment of prices higher than fhe maximum prices, or of an evasion or effort to evade provisions herebf. or of spec.ulations, or of manipulation of prices of lVestern pine lumber, or of the hoarding or accumulating of unttece.ia.y inventories thereof, are urged to communi&te with the Office of Price Administration.*

1312.256 Modification of the Schedule. Persons complaining of hardship or ineguity in the operation of this Schedule may apply to the Offiie of Price Administration for app_roval of aqJ modification thereof or exception therefrom; Provided, That no application under this iection will be considered unless filed by persons complying with this Schedule.*

1312.257 Definitions. When used in this Schedule, the term: (a) "person" means an individual, association. Dartnership, corporation, or other business entity. Tlre ierm includes, without restricting the generality - of the foregoing, any mill operator, manufacturer, commission salesman, manufacturer's representative, concentration yard operator, wholesaler, wholesale distributor, rvholesaler's agent,_ or retailer.. (b) "Western pine" includes ponderosa pine. (pinus ponderosa), Idaho white pine (pinirs monticola), and sugar pine (pinus lambertjana)'produced in the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Caiifornia, and Montana. (c) ."mill" means a manufacturing plant, concentration yard, or other establishment whiih processes,

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