Industries Meet to Discuss Demonstration Homes Program

Washington, Feb. 8,-The first step in coordinating the activity of units in the small home building field was taken today at a meeting at the Raleigh Hotel, here, attended by more than 70 representatives of building material and home products industries.

The meeting was called by Dr. Wilson Compton, secretary manager of the National Lumber Manufacturers Association, to develop cooperation in the small home demonstration program, launched recently by the lumber industry under the sponsorship of the Federal Housing Administration.

This program has for its purpose the construction of 1,000 small home units in 1,000 communities, to show that it is possible to build attractive, comfortable homes in a price range of $2,000 to $4,500. To noon today over 50O building material dealers in as many localities had signed "count me in" pledges to participate in the program, making a total of 1,060 houses already assured in this nationwide building project.

Bru,ce Wilson, Director of Education in the FHA, reviewed the activities of this organization in the small home field, saying that the present campaign is the main-spring of FHA's promotional work ior 1937.

Frank Carnahan, Secretary of the National Lumber Dealers Association, through which lumber dealers are cooperating in the construction of the demonstration homes, urged all persons and industrial groups having substantial interests in the small homes market to get behind the present drive.

I. N. Tate, President of American Forest Products, Inc. spoke of the subject before the conference as "more house for the dollar," and emphasized "delivering the finished structure" and "making the house easy to buy."

The gathering included the whole field of housing and public group interests such as Chambers of Commerce and (iovernment itself.

"There is," said Dr. Compton, "a national need for meeting the low-cost house problem within the limits of the existing building industry. The Small lfomes Demonstra- tion program is part of a national movement to meet imrnediately the demand for residences corresponding to requirements of 7O per cent of the housing market."

A coordinating committee was appointed to develop ways and means for the participation in this program of all units in the building material and home products industry. This group, headed by Dr. Compton, includes Bruce A. Wilson, A. F. H. Scott and Theodore E. Damm of the Federal Housing Administration; D. M. Forgan and Lyle }farvey, representing the heating industry i John A. Hall and C. C. Lowry, representing plumbing; H. M. Brundage, Jr., American Gas Association; J. M. Speer and C. M. Snyder, electrical; A. P. Haake and F. Stuart Fitzpatrick, miscellar.eous group industries; C. E. Roxorough, Clayton Grandy and Stanley J. O'Connor, building materials; and Frank Carnahan. National Lumber Dealers Association.

Aloysius Hanify

Aloysius Hanify of San Francisco died at the Stanford Hospital on February 15 after several months' illness. He was 68 years of age.

Mr. Hanify was connected with the lumber and shipping business on the Pacific Coast for many years. He came to San Francisco from New York when a young man and was associated with his brother, the late J. R. Hanify of the J. R. Hanify Lumber Co. He retired seven years ago.

Mr. Hanify was active in yachting circles, being a member of the San Francisco Yacht CIub, and was also a member of the Olympic Club.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Henrietta Hanify; two children, Ryder Hanify and Mrs. Lucinda Auger; and a sister, Mrs. Josephine Mahar. Funeral services were held Wednesday morning, February 17.

Visits Los Angeles

Garnet T. Fraser, Fraser Lumber & Supply Co., San Francisco, recently spent a few days in Los Angeles on business.

IDEPENIDABILTTT-RIGHT PRTCES ANd GOITPLETE 8TOCK8

HIGH GRADE HARDWOODS-Dmctic woods: Asb, Bach' Birch' Gu' Hlctrery, Marnola'

National Survey of Lumber Supply and Demand

Washington, Feb. 17.-"The available reserve producing capacity of the lumber manufacturing industry is ample to neet all present and prospective demands for lumber, although in some regions relationships of stocks have been disturbed by the Pacific Coast strike, and in the light of heavy unfilled order files stocks are inadequate." So says the quarterly national survey of Lumber Demand and Supply, prepared for the U. S. Department of Commerce by the Special Lumber Survey Committee and released here today, and mentions also the following points:

The national lumber stocks on January Ist, 1937, of approximately 7.4 billion feet were 2 per cent in excess of stocks on January 1st, 1936. Estimated lumber consumption last year was approximately 23 billion.feet, more than 10 billion greater than in 1932. The end of the Pacific Coast strike is releasing a heavy volume of deferred shipnrents, and with the restoration of flooded areas there will be some revival of lumber production, replacement of lost and damaged stocks and a substantial demand for rehabilitation building materials.

The index of average wholesale lumber prices at the mills as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics was 84.5 for 1936. The December index of 89.6 is 6 per cent above the 1936 average, compared with structural steel, which at 1A1.7 rose 5 per cent above the previous five months and is 7 per cent above the year's average. Brick prices at 88.5 in December compare with 88.7, the year's average. Cement prices have remained constant at 95.5.

Residential building in 37 states in 1936 was 64 per cent above 1935. Preliminary January figures indicate volume about equal to December and 80 per cent above January of last year. For 1937 a residential increase of 4O per cent over 1936 is indicated. The gains will be in private over public construction. Federal Housing Administration predicts an increase of 5O per cent in non-farm dwelling units built in 1937 provided building costs do not increase unduly.

Railroad expenditures are expected to be a greater factor in general business activity in 1937 than at any time since 1930. Carloadings in 1936 were about 14 per cent in excess of 1935.

In the wood consuming industries the report says that a good year is indicated for the furniture industry with at least a 10 per cent .gain over 1936. Trailer construction offers greater promise of increased lumber use than other motor types; and unfilled orders for oak flooring have been for nearly three months in excess of gross stocks at reporting mills.

, Serving on the Lumber Survey Committee are: Wilson Compton, Secretary and Manager, National Lumber Manufacturers Association; T. S. Holden, Vice President, F. W. Dodge Corporation, New York; Calvin Fentress, Chairman of the Board,'Baker; Fentrdss & Company, Chicago; M. W. Stark,'Eeonomist, Columbus, Ohio, and"Phillips A. Hayward; Chief, Forest Products Division, U, S. Department of Commerce.

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