THE CALIFOR}.IIA LUMBERMERCHANT

How Lumber Looks

The week ended February 13 was the first since October 30 last year during which water shipments of lumber were made by the West Coast lumber industry. Total shipments reported by I7l down and operating mills of 110,451,509 board feet are about the same as the average weekly shipments in October just prior to the marine strike. The increase in shipments shown over those of the previous week was due entirely to resumpt:on of boat loading for domestic export markets. New business for the week totaled 96,027,587 feet.

The movement of inter-coastal lumber is being handicapped first because some ships cannot move due to the controversy between the government and the Sailor's Union over continuous discharge books, and second by the lack of adequate steamship space in which to load.

Shipping authorities state that all available steamship lumber space from the West Coast to the Atlantic Coast is sold ahead for 120 days. Lumbermen estimate that this space will simply move the lumber already sold. Therefore, such new business as can be taken is reported as likely to be May or June loading if by boat, or for more prompt delivery by railroad.

Lumbermen have been notified that the inter-coastal lumber rate will be increased from $13 per thousand feet to $14, effective April 15th.

With 171 mills reporting a total production of 86,378,419 board feet of lumber in the week ended February 13, the industry produced 54.8 per cent of its average weekly cut during lgzG9n. Mills continue to be handicapped in production by lack of cargo space and inability in individual cases to get suitable logs. Most of the logging camps in the area continue down because of snow and cold. Bad weather also is afiecting some of the inland mills. Loggers anticipate but a small volume of log production during the coming 30 days. Should the logging camps continue closed for longer than 30 days more mills will be forced to close or to curtail oPerations.

Visits California

The Western Pine Association for the week ended February 13, 115 mills reporting, gave orders as 6,774,NO feet, shipments 65,535,000 feet, and production 33,349,000 feet. Orders were 100.2 per cent above production, and 1.8 per cent above shipments. Shipments were 95.5 per cent above production. Unfilled orders on file at the end of the week totaled 357,581,000*feet.

The California Redwood Association for the week ended February 6 reported production of 13 mills as 8,960,000 feet, shipments 6,902,W feet, and new business 9,894,00O feet. Week-end orders on hand were 86,398,00O feet. The 13 identical mills reported production 6 per cent greater and new business 2 per cent greater than for the same week last Year'

Rains, and tax assessment date which falls this year on March 1, slowed up the California demand during the past few weeks.

Sea-borne lumber receipts at California ports are beginning to pick-up. Cargo receipts at Los Angeles harbor for the week ended February 20 totaled 19,812,@O feet. Stocks at the Los Angeles harbor yards which were greatly reduced during the maritime t;e-up are still low.

Picketing by the Teamsters' Union at Los Angeles harbor against non-union truck drivers continues but lumber deliveries have not been affected.

Fir cargo pr:ces are holding very firm. Cargo space is hard to get with the result that rail mills continue to do a large business. At the present time it is hard to get any of the mills, particularly rail mills, to quote on any k;nd of a regular yard inquiry.

The Ponderosa Pine, Sugar Pine and Redwood markets are in a strong position. Prices are very firm, inventories are low, and the mills have big order files. Red Cedar shingles are strong, and production is lorv due to a shortage of logs.

Back From Northwest

L. W. MacDonald, MacDonald & Bergstrom, [nc., Los Angeles, has returned from a trip to the Northwest where he visited the mills.

Drive on for Extension of Tide I

Title I of the National Housing Act which provides Government guarantee of private banks and financial institutions to home owners for remodeling work will expire on April 1, 1937, unless extended by Congress.

The National Lumber Dealers Association is leading the drive to have legislation passed at this session of Congress. A series of conferences, composed of industrial representatives, were held in Washington around the first of February. The group called on Stewart McDonald, Federal Housing Administrator, and Senator Robert Wagner, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, on February 2, to secure their cooperation.

Mr. McDonald told the delegation that he was very much impressed with this group meeting, because he was under the impression there was not much demand for continuation of Title I. He assured them, that while he personally felt as he did, he would not oppose any activity on their part.

Frank Carnahan, secretary of the National Lumber Dealers Association on February 3, addressed a letter to the members of Congress pointing out the many advantages of Title I and urging the immediate passage of legislation for its continuation.

Mr. Carnahan asks all retail lumber dealers to write their individual Senators and Representatives at Washington requesting the extension of Title I.

Since these conferences, bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate. The Senate bill provides for a continuation of Title I for two years, and the House bill calls for an extension of one year.

President Roosevelt, on February 20, signed the bill extending for two years the guarantee provision under Title II.

Silentite \(indow Stands Test in Flood

Those interested in building or the architectural profession are no doubt wondering how building materials used in the Ohio valley withstood the water and mud.

The Silentite Pre-Fit Window. familiar to readers of these columns, and a product of the Curtis Companies, came through the flood in wonderful condition. One of the sample frame and windows was on display in a Cincinnati dealer's office.

The Pierson Lumber Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, in telling of this window, writes as follows:

"For your information rve have submitted our old sample mullion Silentite window frame to an acid test. You will remember this frame was an original model, several years old. The water covered this frame for five days. This morning we raised the frame out of the mud and the window worked perfectly. All the balance of the office windows are immovable. The window beads and inside trim warped, but the window, the screen and the storm sash did not show any effect of being under water."

The Kansas dust storms also proved the Silentite window to be dustproof. These two tests are some of the reasons why the Silentite window is in popular demand.

Whoteralerc ol

TDOUGLAS FIR

PONDENOSA PITE

SPRUCE SHINGLES

NEI'WOOD

P(NTS POLES WOLMANIZED LUMBER

Main Office: I l0 Market St. San Francisco

-also-

American Bank Bldg., 7OO So. La Brea Portlandr Oregon Los Angeles

Change goes on constandY in the building industry, but dealers can always be sure of a dependable source for their Redwood in