American Lumbermen Propose U. S. Tariff Repeal As Novel Move to Ease Canadian Pressures

The American lumber industry, faced with serious threats to domestic markets and the economic stability of American forest-based communities as a result of sharply increasing imports of Canadian softwood lumber, has proposed a novel solution by recommending the reciprocal repeal of all tariffs on softwood lumber by both the United States and Canada.

Nlortimer B. Doyle, Executive Vice President of the National Lumber Manufacturers Association, announced the proposal in a letter to Secretary of Commerce Luther H. Hodges, and asked that the Secretary take the necessary steps to afrange a meetlng of tI.S. and Canadian officials and lumber industry representatives from both nations to discuss the program and develop support for it in each country.

The proposal envisions the repeal of present softwood lumber tariffs and duty free entry of shipments to each country until total imports equal ten per cent of annual domestic consumption. A duty of ten per cent would then be imoosed on the value of each import shipment in excess of ten per cent of total domestic consumption.

The ten per cent breaking point was arrived at as slightly above the aver- age rate of softwood lumber imports into the U. S. over the past ten years. Canadian exports to the U. S. have increased mor-e than 70 per cent in the decade from 1951 to 196l until they no\,v represent more than 13 per cent of total IJ. S. consumption of softwood lumber. U. S. exoorts of softwood lumber to Canada -have amounted to approximately 5 per cent of the Canaclian consumption.

In 1961, when American production of softwood lumber declined a billion and .a quarter .board feet from the previous year, imports from Canada increased more than 350 million board feet.

In addition to requesting Secretary Hodges to take action on the tariff proposal, the Executive and Foreign Trade Committees of the Association had adopted resolutions pro,posing collateral moves to eliminate inequities suffered by the American lumber industry and provide equal opportunities r.vith foreign competitors in fulfilling softwood lumber recuirements in both .American and foreign markets.

The lumbermen urged that appropri- ate agencies of the United States Government act promptly to counteract the manipulation of currency by

Iumber producing nations competing with the U. S. industry in U. S. markets.

They requested implemer-rtation and extension of the "Bt.ty American" principle to the extent necessary to assure that all lumber and wood prodtucts used in construction, either federally financed or federally insured, such' as FHA insured housing, is of domestic manufacture.

The association also proposes to examine the possibility of invoking Section 22 ol the Agriculture Marketing Agreements Act of 1937, as arnended, to limit quantities of forest products imported into the U. S.

NLMA also contemplates an industry-financed market study to expand the export market for American forest products.

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Beautiful Long-Bell natural wood kitchen cabinets, a delight to any discerning lady's eye, were spotlighted March 27 through 29 at the Grand Opening of the new Gildon Distributors, division of Reel Lumber Service, showroom and warehouse at 1249 E. 63rd St., Los Angeles.

Gildon, a recently organized subsidiary of the well-known Reel Lumber, will be Southern California distributor of the Long-Bell cabinet from San Luis Obispo to the Mexican border, announced general manager, Don Reel. Other top executives include: Gil Reel, partner, Sy Miller, sales manager and E. G. Reel, president and founder of the parent firm, Reel Lumber Service.

The new warehouse, equipped with a complete inventory of the pre-assembled cabinets in either fir or select birch, permits direct vvarehouse to