J. E. Higgins Lumber Celebrotes 75th Anniversqry

The slogan, "A Lumber for Every Purpose" is seventyfive years old this month. J. E. Higgins Lumber Company, which first said it in 1883, is celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary.

The anniversary is particularly pleasing to J. E. Higgins, Jr., president and son of the founder. "Within the past three years we have added a brand-new, completely automatic planing mill, and taken on distribution of several new types of lumber," he says.

"In 1958 we can still say 'a lumber for every purpose' and mean it rnore than ever. And it Davs off."

J. E. Higgins I-umber Company his yards and builclings occupying ten acres in San Francisco. The firm claims tl-re largest assortment and inventory of hardwoods west of Chicago. More than 1,500,000 kiln-dried board feet of some forty varieties of hardrvoods are in storage.

An additional three or four million board feet of better grades of fifteen kinds of softwoods are constantly in process of seasoning and kiln drying.

The firm also distributes plywoods, hardwood plywoods, wallboard, hardboard, flooring, mouldings and glues.

J. E-. Higgins Lumber Company began business in the spring of 1883 when J. E. Higgins, Sr. and Frank Allen established Allen & Higgins Lumber Company. Their yard at Spear and Howarcl burnt to ashes in the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906, but was opened again within four days to serve the rebuilding city. In 1908, after Allen's death, Higgins purchased his interests and gave the company the name it bears today.

J. E. Higgins, Jr., started rvorking in his father's yards in 1912, and became president when Higgins, Sr. retired in the move of the entire operation to its present location at 99 Bayshore Blvd. (beside 101 Freeway just south of Army St.).

Five acres of the ten-acre yard are currently occupied by several large metal buildings-storage for kiln-dried lumber such as black walnut, oak, teak, genuine and Philippine mahogany, birch, ash, spruce, etc. Dried clear-heart redwood ar.rd C&Btr. Douglas fir are also big business with Higgins. Four Moore circulating dry kilns with a capacity of 100,000 BF operate continuously.

The newest building is headquarters for Higgins' indus-

SCENES BETOW SHOW THE VARIED ACTIVITIES oround ths J. E. Hisgin. lumber Co, plqnt. At left: Pockogsd ponelings of rolid Philippine A{o. hggony or€ monufoclurcd under fhe firm'r own brond. Light or dork rrd Philippine mouldingi ore offered lo molch; moulding: ol other hord. woods ors stocked lo mofch mony voriolics of hordwood plyw@d the firn sells, The Cenler rcqne shows the Ploning lrtill opcroiion slortcd in 1955 whgn fhe new building woi cofrplclcd, Higginr offgrg the oulput of ffve moulders, lwo woodi molchor., o ro.ow, rfroighl.linc rip sow, plonerr ond sonding equipnent. Right-"Mountoin of Mqhogony"; fhis siock of Philippine |{ohogony in thc Higgins yord3 roproianls o smoll percenlogc of the 2,000,000 feet lhe Rrm uruolly hos on hono or o prime impdter. Sqlesmon Roy trial woodworkllg division. This is the brand-new planing mill referred to by Higgins when he says that "a lumber for every purpose" has greater meaning. The mill produces custom millwork for customers in addition to Higgins' own stock mouldings and packaged solid Philippine mahogany panel- ing. It began operations just two years ago and haa had milling equipment added constantly ever since.

Active with J. E. Higgins, Jr., president, is his brother War{ Higgins, vice-president. Ward's sons, Jack Higgins and Jim Higgins, are also well known by the firm's many lumber dealer customers. Jim Higgins- is general sales manager.

Outside salesmen are Bob Hall, Bill Carter, and John Enright; Ray Ryan is telephone and desk order man.

Sam Ferguson, g'eneral yard superintendent, keeps traffic moving; Norm Wilson is shipping manager, and Pat Patton directs the green chain and sticking. Harry Anthony just recently took over the job of manager of the mill when Frank Martell passed away. Len Kupps is credit manager and comptroller.

In all, some fifty people and fifteen pieces of rolling equipment keep thousands of board feet moving into, about, or out of the lliggins yard all day long, serving hundreds of dealer customers throughout Northern California in orders ranging from a board to carloads.

"fn an average week we fill orders for nearly three-hun- clred different varieties, types, grades, or forms of lumber -hardwood, softwood, plywood or mouldings," J. E. Higgins, Jr. told us recently.

Jim Higginr ( cen ier ) congrolulolei his dod, Wqrd Hi99in. rishf) on the firm'. Dio m ond Anniversory, April 15, q5 Brolher Jock Higgins(ot lefr) owoils his lurn lo <ompletc fhc fomily circlc

"That's what we mean by 'a lumber for every purpose.' At seventy-five years of age, our firm is doing a bigger job, with a greater selection, than ever before. We hope our customers feel that we do it well," he said.

At[ big business with Higginr; in oddition lo Fir ond Redwood, lhc whola.qla yord offers mony vo.ielies of Pine, Spruce ond C6dor. 6.n1s-!quglor fir ir dried in Higgins kllnr ot th€ rotE of 200,000 b.I. p6r nonth; four Moore Crors-Circuloling Dry Kilns, holding 25,000 b.f. coch, dry o lotol of 500.000 foef per monlh of oll rpecies or lime, temperolurg ond moirture ore conlrolled to b6t suit lhe porficulqr hordwood or toflwood. Righi-{o voriolier of hordwood. oJc sheltcred in Higgin: buildings lhol cover five ocres; Lumber Clcrk Dove Gore hcre visw: rondon widthr ond lgnglh3 of Genuins Mohogqny from Honduros ond Guotenqlq

Notl. Rerqil [umber Deqlers Assn. Moking Heodwoy in Boxcors Drive

The number of general purpose box cars available on the Class I Railroads in the United States are classified by width of the door openings and by the two standard lengths. The number of boxcars less than 50' long is steadily decreasing, and the cars longer than 50'are increasing. The greatest increase in the smaller cars is in those having an 8' door opening, and the greatest increase in the over50' cars is in those having 15' or more door openings. This indicates that efforts to promote double door cars, specifically the plug door car, must be having an effect on the railroads. It also indicates that we must continue to press the railroads for suitable cars for our purposes so that less single door and more double door cars will be built, said Robert B. Brown, I\4aterials Handling director, National Retail Lumber Dealers Assn.

Below are listed the number of plug door cars in use or on order: Great Northern-S in service on trial basis: Louisville & Nashville-IOO on order, delivery not deter-

ANOTHER HOMASOTE FIR€T mined; Northern Pacific-SOO to be pgt into service late in 1958; Rock Island-50 in service on trial basis ; Santa Fe25, trial order, more to follow if successful; Southern Pacific-1,500 on order, 1,000 of these to be put into service in 1958; Union Pacifi.c-72S, 525 now in service and 200 on order for early delivery. Total--2,X)S.

Construcfion Contrqcts Down From 1957

Contracts for future construction in the United States in February totaled $t,953,422,W, a I0/o decrease from February 1957, reports F. W. Dodge Corporation, construction news and marketing specialists. This marked the second consecutive month in which contracts registered a l0/o decline. Dollar volume of contracts in the residential category amounted to $727,282,W0, down l7/o f.rom the same 1957 month. The number of one- and two-family housing units was down sharply, but apartment units again registered an increase, this time 2/o. The number of dwelling unite of all types totaled 59,172, a drop of. l4/o compared to February 1957.

New Mortar Addirive lmproves Tile Setting

'*'-.ifhis smort ne* mot"Criirl for EXTE

This new, weatherproof siding material is the most economical of its type and extremely easy to apply. Deeper, wider grooves-made possible by the high-density, s/a" thickness-run every 8" the length of the board. On both sides, the special 8-stage groove-lap joint assures rapid, true-line installation.

GVS is supplied in 4'x 8', 4'xt0', and 4' xL2' panels. On special order, GVS is also available in size 4' x 9'-at no extra cost, It is available primed front and back, or unprimed. Behind this board are more than 40 years'experience in the making of weatharproof materials. GVS ofrers supe- rior insulation value, durability, and weatherprotection - holds paint longer than wood. Use the coupon below to secure full details on this and other Homasote products, and for your copy of the ?2-page Homasote Handbook.

ma- terlats you already stock. gell only 3 patterns e day for 300 d&ys-you have neu pronts of $31,824 o year. cet the tull detatls from your Jobber or lfomasote Repre- sentatlve.

*I.t. nog. t$i-8itd Patten Comlant

One of the oldest of building skills but increasingly popular today, tile setting, has been given another boost into modern times by the discovery of a new mortar additive that can cut the time, effort and costs of a quality ceramic tile installation. The additive was discovered by researchers at the Tile Council of America. the trade association of 26 manufacturers who produce X)/o of domestic floor and wall ceramic tile. After extensive laboratorv and field tests. the new material is now being marketed in the form of an integrated mix with Portland cement or as an additive to be mixed with cement on the job.

Advantages of the material include economy, ease of application, high bonding strength, flexibility, water retention, wide range of uses, and time saving, the Council reports. It can be applied in thin beds of l/16-inch, or in thicker beds if leveling is required. Its bonding strength is from 100 to 300 pounds per square inch. The Tile Council discovery is quite flexible and will withstand great stresses produced in the backing material. Because it retains moisture, the new additive can be used to set dry tile. Particularly useful in setting tile over block walls, the additive can also be used over most dry wall construction. Tilesetters accustomed to working mortar will appreciate having a modern setting material that has these advantages and still can be applied with the traditional methods of setting tile.

Further details may be obtained by writing The Tile Council of America, 800 Second Avenue. New York t7. New York.

Zywv NL Co, INc.

109 Yearc on Calilornia Sheet

Pbilippine Mabogany and, lapanese Hardutood. PLY\rOOD

New Timber Designs in 1958 "Typicol Lumber Designs"

Over 300 typical designs of timber structures, from basic types of trussed rafters and heavy roof trusses to highway structures, towers, bridges and farm buildings, are listed in the new 1958 edition of "Typical Lumber Designs," just issued by Timber E,ngineering Company, engineering affiliate of the National Lumber N{anufacturers Association. Over 240 of tl-re listed designs are available from Timber Engineering Company, and most are available in planograph form, free of charge. Also listed are typical designs available from the Southern Pine Association and the West Coast Lumbermen's Association. The convenient 6" x 9t' booklet may be obtained from Timber Engineering Company, 1319-18th Street, N.W., Washington 6, D. C.

qnd Domestic-Philippine-Jopqnese

'Honesl Porotrooper

A new man in the ranks of the paratroopers was being questioned by some admiring youngsters. One of them asked:

"How long you been in training?"

Said the trooper: "Two months."

Asked the kid: "How many jumps have you made?"

The trooper grinned and said: "Not any, really. But I've been pushed out seventeen times."

Discovering o Friend ff trouble never happened And sorrow never came. The only thing you'd know about Your neighbor, is his name.

If all your days were bright and fair And certain was your place, You'd only know a fellow by The features of his face.

Acquaintances upon this earth

Is all you'd ever ownff care had always passed you by And grief you'd never known.

Time was I used to nod at one Who lived across the way, I knew his name and he knew mine; We passed the time of day.

But nothing did he mean to me And nothing I to him, Until one evening sorrow came And all the world was grim.

I saw his face, I felt his hand, I knew he'd come to lend The strength I needed, O so much, Right there I'd found a friend.

'Tis not in sunshine friends are made. But when our skies are gray; The splendid souls that men possess Are never on display.

We cannot tell what lies behind The hasty nod or smile, Nor what of warmth will come of it In just a little while.

We only know that when we face The cares that life does send, We realize the passer-by Has changed into a friend.

-Anon.

He Guessed

A waggish character on Broadway appeared one day with a face that looked as if it had encountered a battering ram. Thinking he would lie about how he got it, a friend inquired, just to give him a chance to use his imagination. Instead, he was truthful. He said:

"I got these black eyes playing my favorite game. I like to call people on the phone in the wee small hours of the morning and say, 'Guess Who'?

"Well," he smiled through his bruises, "This one DID."

Antogonism of Afoms

We are taught, many of us from our youth upwards, that competition is essential to the health and progress of the race. Or, as Herbert Spencer puts it, "Society fourishes in the antagonism of its atoms."

But the obvious golden truth is that cooperation is good and competition is bad, and that society fourishes by the mutual aid of human beings. I say that is obvious, and so it is. And it is so well known that in all great military or commercial enterprises, individualism has to be subordinated to collective action. We do not believe that a house divided against itself shall stand; we believe that it shall fall.

We know that a state, torn by internal feuds and worn by faction-fighting, cannot hold its own against a united people. We know that in a Cricket or Football team, a regiment, a ship's crew, a school-the "antagonism 'of atoms" would mean defeat and failure. We know that a society composed of antagonistic atoms would not be a society at all, and could not exist as a society. We know that if men are to found and govern cities, to build bridges and make roads, to establish universities, to sail ships and sink mines, and create educational systems and policies and religions, they must work together and not against one another.

Surely these things are as obvious as the fact that there can be no hive unless the bees work as a colony, and on the lines of mutual aid.-Robert Blatchford.

A Gqllqnt Judge

A certain Southern judge was famous for his gallantries toward the fair sex, and his quickness of wit on all and sundry occasibns. One day he compelled a certain young lady to give some very unimportant testimony in a crowded courtroom, to the surprise of the attornies in the case. One of them said to the judge later:

"Judge, why did you think it necessary to place Miss Lovely on the witness stand in this case?"

"f1 ry3s1'1- of course it wasn't necessary," said the gallant judge. "But I saw she had on a lovely new hat, and I realized she was dying to show it."

New BUIIDING Ddvelopments...

A new post office will be built at 18706 E. Chapman Fll Modena. Calif.

Orange city. councilmen approved a junior high school site south of the Sycamore Elementary school.

Ground was broken for a $300,000 stmcture to be built at by the Church for a 76-unit of Coast

Lamoson and Harbor streets in Garden Grove of Jeius Christ of the Latter Day Saints.

Anaheim Planning Commission approved a school building at Orange and Magnolia avenues.

South Laguna supervisors approved an exclusive own-your-own apartment house on the seaward side highway northwest of Bluff drive.

Ilunney Investment Co. was issued 87 permits for dwellings in I-a Habra south of Ocean and east of Walnut avenues.

Analysts i\{cKelvey and Ashton of the Chicago Real Estate Research Corp. will complete their report in April on a land use and marketability survey of Vallejo's multi - million - dollar Marina Vista urban renewal project.

West Covina City Council approved plans for an 80-unit motel on 3.5-acre site from designs of Burge-Roach, architects. Los Angeles City Council approved zone change from single- family to multiple-dwelling and limited industrial oh the west side of Etiwanda avenue north of Gault street in Reseda. Rotherburg Construction Co., Los Angeles, was awarded contract for a $189,278 unit at Fullerton Junior College. Construction started on a clubhouse for the Santa Ana Izaak Walton League on Santa Clara avenue. Members will furnish labor and materials for the artificial log building.

Realtor William Zeckendorf disclosed plans to transform an 11,600-acre wilderness above the Pacific Palisades into a $550 million southern California housing development rivaling any in the U.S. It will dot the Santa Monica Mts. with dozens of 2S-story buildings. Zeckendorf, president of Webb & Knapp Co., New York City, expects completion within l0 years. The plan envisions one gigantic apartment house to each 100-acre tract preserved in natural state with riding trails, parks, tennis courts and pools, and each apartment having terrace and garden area. Buildings are planned on mountain tops with unobstructed views of mountains and ocean; each would house 200 middle- and high-income families. Zeckendorf purchased the tract, which is the size of Manhattan Island, nine years ago. The company has no other present plans for development in the Los Angeles area.

L. A. County Supervisors approved zone change from heavy agricultural to restricted commercial and single-family residential on 80 acres at Avenue K and 30th Street East in Lancaster.

Clark Elliott, Covina contractors, will remodel the Pomona School Administration Center at $70,945 cost.

Anaheim councilmen approved plans by Kazarian & Emerian for a 101-unit motel at }larbor boulevard north of Katella avenue. Marlin and Anna Hightower will build a 2O-unit motel at 1042 Ball Road in the same area.

Monterey Park Planning Commission recommended singlefamily zoning for more than 280 uninhabited acres in the western part of the city. Owners have been awaiting rezoning to start $30,000,000 worth of homes in the area.

Construction has started on the new $1,295,410 Lowell Junior High school in Oakland after razing the previous structure becduse of earthquake hazards. It will be ready for occupancy about September 1959.

Lake County Fair's new 5600-sq. ft.' building of ell-shaped construction will have two removable walls of panel design to accommodate any pattern in the exhibit hall.

C. C. Littlefield took out permits for two $75,000 multidwelling units in LaHabra. A l5-unit structure will be built at 730 N. and another at 750 N. Cypress.

Xollywood Jr. showin8 adlu3tablc matal 3aah.

-'llffilf,"'j;ll'"1,1i

D & R, Elevotes Jim Eccles

Hollywood Jr. fwins Are All-Purpose Doors

Say goodbye forever to old fashioned screen, sash and storm doors,. , for here are two all purpose doors...COMB|NAT|ON SCREEN AND METAL SASH DOORS that fit all types of wall construction and harmonrze with any interior styling.

Nole lhese 4-in-l ADYANTAGEIS

lf

Comforf a The Hollywood Jr. Twim psrmlt mora liSht In litch.n snd serylcr porchcs. a Giv! dequrtr clsy ventlhtlon. a Insact.tight, rust.pmf screns. a Sa3h Glass may ba clern€d with €a3c.

Gonvenience a Nomorc dctourlng ardnd ! 3upcrfiu. ous axtra door with !n armtul of bund16. a Nomorc 3a8gln& f,imry 3crlen dora whlch invitc inkudeF. a Ac{r !s.n.dditlond protectlon for hou3ilifa. Sh! may onvaBa wltt 0t. 3id.B threu8h s!3h oponlng without unlckinS thc dff. a Burghr-pmf. A 3lmplc touch of finlqF lekt xrh.

Economy a Sav6 buying a S!rh, Sc@n lnd Storm Do.. Hollywod J6. !ro rll 3 combined into I d@r. a Saves on hardware, hanging tnd painting. Sav6 on bxpcnsivc replacemcnts. S!v6 spacc Tha Hollyrood Jr. Twins mry be hung to swing in or @t. L€aves available fl@r splce whlch is usually lct in lltchan or antry way.

Ponel or Flush a Hollywood Jr. Twin3 giv. you your choic. ot a pansl or fluah d@r to h.mmhG with lny stylc rrchltecture or intaaior d6lgn. a Flush dffi av.il.bl. in Philippinc Lutun, Oricnt l Ash (SGn) a Bi..tr. a Panal d@E .valhblc in pina onltr.

WEST GOAST SGREEN GO.

civilian flight instructor for

The appointment of J. A. (Jim) Eccles (left), long experienced in the plywood industry, as assistant to George Royer, manag'er of the plywood department of Dant & Russell, Inc., Portland, Oregon, is announced by George M. Syversen. president of the nationwide ltimber concern. Eccles' business career has been with such concerns as Long-Bell LumberCompany,M&MWoodworking Company, Diamond Lumber Company and Vancouver Plywood Company. During World War II, Eccles served as the army at Tucson, Arizona.

I7e Ship From CRA Mills Exclusively "For Better REDSTOODBetter Call Sierra" expected to bring participating dealers an unprecedented number of leads from visitors wanting to improve their existing homes or interested in building new ones.

The promotion is designed to give lumber dealers an unusual opportunity of strengthening their bonds with builders and adding new ones to their clientele.

Dealers will make the model homes available to builders and their prospects and will turn over to them the names of visitors at the dealer-sponsored "open house" who express an interest in building.

Masonite Corporation offers its dealers both short-range and long-range viewpoints for participating in the promotion, according to Paul B. Shoemaker, vice-.president in charge of sales, who said:

"This is a crucial year for retailers and our entire economy. We have in this promotion a topnotch vehicle for improving the sales and profit position of our dealers. Efforts of this type-which sell basic produqf5-a1s bound to have a beneficial effect for not only the participants but the general economy.

"This promotion has the ingredients for capturing today's most elusive goal of every lumber dealer: the same consumer dollar for which a variety of competing sales forces are fighting.

"Our 'Showcase of Famous Brands' promotion supplements and implements another nationwide effort backed by the building industry under the banner of the Home Improvement Council. Surveys have shown that about 80/o of. the people visiting a model house are looking for ideas to incorporate in their present homes. The balance are interested primarily in building a new home.

"With the lumber dealer as the promoter of a high-grade model home, he's in a wonderful position to benefit himself, local builders, the Community and the economy as a whole.

"Looking at this promotion in the long range, we are positive that dealers who wholeheartedly participate will profit from the experience when the light construction market really begins booming, as now predicted, in the early 1960s.

"The Dealer who knows the effective merchandising methods today and in the coming years is the one who will be most successful."

Mr. Shoemaker pointed out that the model home is virtually selfJiquidating, that the lumber dealer is not competing with builders but rather is supporting them, and that it fits into any building, lhnd development or Lu-Re-Co plans dealers have.

Seven house designs have been especially made for this promotion by Rudolph A. Matern & Associates. Mr. Shoemaker described them as "imaginative in concept, interesting in detail, rich in local merchandising value, comfortable and convenient in keeping with modern living concepts, and very salable."

Using the famous "living cdre" concept as a base, any of the designs may be expanded by the owner to fit his particular family requirements. The "living core" itself consists of an entrance foyer, living room, dining'room, kitchen, one-half bath and family room. Each is available in a variety of styles, arrangements, materials and features. Styles riray be traditional, contemporary or modern; ranch, story and a half or split level. The house may be built over a basement, crawl space or slab.

Another flexibility in the design is that the model can face in three different directions on the lot, with three different choices of garage location, as well.

Designs of the "Showcase" promotion houses incorporate the latest ideas on consumer "wants" as expressed at the second annual "Congress of Better Living" and other research of people's likes and dislikes. Mr. Shoemaker pointed out that the architectural firm's affiliate, Homemaster Publications, Inc., has done extensive research on the popularity of various house plans. More than 50,000 homes based on the affiliate's plans have been built in the past 10 years, he said.

Depending on his own wishes, the dealer may build the house himself or have a contractor build it; the house may go in or near his lumberyard or on a residential site.

A fully-planned kit of promotional materials and ideas is available to participating dealers. Beside this, the company offers seven new house plans for selection, a complete step-by-step plan of action, national advertising support and an extensive program of publicity and community relations.

The booklet outlining the plan of action is based on sound experience and covers the following topics: model home and the dealer, selecting basic plan, choosing lot and location, financing; decorating, furnishing and landscaping suggestions; publicity and how to get it, pre-open house promotion, how to stage the open house promotion, how to get active new home prospects and remodeling leads, how to attract new builders accounts, and special tie-in promo-

The promotion kit contains:

A plan booklet for consumers on the seven "living core" home designs-including renderings in color and floor plans; newspaper ad layouts, a complete publicity kit, radio and television copy, films and transcriptions, two-color direct mailer, consumer give-away "idea" booklet with dealer's imprint on cover, wall banner-window streamer, prospect cards, "Showcase of Famous Brands" wall plaque with space to list the famous brands featured in model home, directional arrows, interior feature signs, and outdoor signs. All these items are made available to participating dealers at no charge.

Names of all dealer participants will be listed in a full-