We sto* Simpson In&m Ioasted *V" Groove

Your cuslomers will wqnt fhis hqndsome low-cosl Rift Grqin pqneling. lts rich, dork brown "fgqsled" Vgrooves give rooms (l nqlurql wormth. Cdll us todqy for prices ond delivery.

Western Pine Quqrter Shipmenfs Expected to Show Decreqse

Portland-The following report of first quarter, 1958, production and shipments of Western Pine r-egion lumber products and estimate of probable second quarter, 1958, shipments, was released by W. E. Griffee, assistant secretary-manager of the Western Pine Association. The report covered all 10 woods of 'the Western Pine region, of which the \Mestern Pines comprise about 51/o.

The statement in full :

"A preliminary estimate puts the Western Pine industry's production during the first quarter of this year at 1468 million board feet, down 5.1/o lrom the same quarter of last year.

"Shipments were about 1511 million feet, a reduction of 8.3/o f.rom the first quarter of 1957. They were the lowest for any corresponding quarter since 1952.

February and much of March were largely responsible for less-than expected shipments during the first quarter.

"The seasonally adjusted rate of new housing starts fell below a million a year in February for the first time since late last spring. Weather likely had much to do with the drop and it is hoped that the rate came back up during March.

"The emergency housing bill which Congress sent to the President should stimulate home construction. The additional funds it provides, the more realistic ceilings on both VA and FHA loans and freeing FHA-VA-backed mortgages from discount controls all should make it easier to finance new housing. Additional proposals now shaping in Congress u'ill help too, though effects likely won't be felt before late spring or early summer.

"While the volume of lumber needed for housing should improve as the year goes along, the current slump in industrial production, which is helping to keep our shipments below those of last year, is not expected to improve much before fall at the earliest stocks was less relationship of has been for a

"Stocks on March 31 are estimated at 1986 million feet, down from 2029 million at the beginning of the year and Irom 2OO4 million a year ago. The drop in than the normal seasonal reduction and the stocks to current shipments is as high as it number of years.

"IJndoubtedly the very severe weather in eastern consuming areas and the heavy rains in California during

o OPPORTUNITY in Retail Lumber Trade o

An old established wholesale house, amply ftnanced, is looking for a man acquainted with the retail lumber trade of Northern California: on€ who is able to buy and sell, willing to abide by the fruit of his own effort and regards the future as highly as the present. All replies strictly conftdential.

Address Box C 2744,California Lumber Merchant f08 W. 6th-St., Room 508, Los Angeles 14, California

"Based upon srich factors and all other available information upon prospective demand, it would seem probable' that, during the second quarter of 1958, shipments (consumption) of lumber from the Western Pine region will approxirirate 2000 million feet, or about 5/o below those in the second quarter of 1957."

Pickering Fiscql-Yeor Net Off

Kansas City, Mo.-Pickering Lumber Corporation's net income for the fiscal year ended March 31 fell to an estimated $550,000, Chairman James M. Kemper said at the annual meeting in April. He said the earnings decline was a result of substantial price declines in the lumber industry. Pickering's total board feet of lumber sales was about equal to fiscal 1957 but dollar sales were approximately $6,500,000 against $7,176,199, he said.

Alomo Areq Timber on Sole Agoin

Bakersfield, Calif.-The on-again, off-again sale of 14 million feet of insect-susceptible timber in the Alamo Mountain area of the Los Padres National Forest is on again. The sale has been ordered by Richard E. McArdle, chief of the U. S. Forest Service. Earlier sale had been blocked by the Sierra Club.