Tacuma lumher $ales, Inc.

Western Pine First Quarter Shipments Three Per cent Under Last Year

Portland, April 15-The follorving report of first quarter, 1952, production and shipment of Western Pine region lumber and lumber products and estimate of probable second arter shipmqnts rvere released t_oday by Jr., secretary-manager of the Western Pine Portland. The report covered Idaho White derosa Pine. Sugar Pine and Associated Woods.

assoclatlon, Pine, PonThe statement in full:

GABGO and EAIL fIR and REDWOOD BEPRESENTING

St. Paul d Tacomq Lumber Co.

Tcrcomcr, WaBh.

Defiance Mill Co.

Tccomcl, Wa$.

Dickrncn Lumber Compcny

Tccomcr, Wash.

Kcrlen-Dcrnis Compcmy

Tccomc, Wash.

Tccomcr Hcrbor Lumber & Timber Co, Tccomcr, Wash.

G. L Speier Co.

Arcctc, Ccrlil. Also

Norttrern Ccrlilornicr crnd

"Again, in the first quarter ol 1952, lumber shipments from the \Vestern Pine region have been maintained at a level considerably above expectations. This has occurred desprte the very substantial drop in both residential and non-residentlal construction starts and the extremely unfavorable rveather conditions in many parts of the oroducing area.

"Present estimates of industry performance for the first three months of this year are, of course, preliminary. However, it is indicated that regional shipments rvill total ,close to one and one-half billion feet or only 3 per cent belorv those of the same 1951 period. Production in the region, which rvill apparently be near the 1,300 million mark, is 7l per cent under that of the 1951 first quarter. Total lumber stocks at the mills ll'ere decreased 200 million during the first three months of the year.

"The number of non-farm dwelling units started in January and February is reported as about 13 per cent below that of the same months last year. Non-residential construction contracts for February are estimated at 30 per cent under a year ago. Such developments brought some immediate relaxation in government controls and there are indications that further revisions are in prospect. Several restrictions on commercial and industrial construction have been eased by NPA. Credit policies applying to home construction are under review and, already, 10 per cent dorvn-payment requirement on residential remodeling has been dropped. Further easing of such credit requirements appears to be a possibility. The new, so-called, 'stretch out' of the defense program promises to make available for civilian use a larger volume of critical materials.

"Some analysts, both inside and outside the government, continue the prediction of 800,000 to 850,000 housing starts for 1952. Others foresee a possible 900,000 to 1,00O,000 units and such forecasts are strengthened by the recent easing of federal restrictions. There is, however, the uncertainty as to the effects of thse, both as to time and extent. High costs and the availability of mortgage funds, at terms rvithin the reach of the average home building prospect, are also favorable factors. All in all there is still much doubt as to immediate construction outlook and, consequently. as to over-all lumber demand tor 1952,

"Based on such factors and all other available information, it now seems probable that, during the second quarter of. 1952, shipments (consumption) of lumber from the Western Pine region will approximate 1,850 million feet. This would be about 10 per cent less than second-quarter 1951 shipments but will exceed any previous second quarter prerformance except the years 1950 and 1951."