Perkins ls Authoriry On lumber Looding On Flot Cors

In its educational drive for shipping lumber on flatcars, the Southern California Retail Lumber Association has found its greatest ally and helper has been a certain A. G. Perkins, of San Pedro, General Manager of the Harbor Belt Line Railroad.

Illustrated articles that have appeared during the last y"ear in THE CALIFORNIA LUMBER MERCHANT and in the bulletins of Orrie W. Hamilton and the Association, showing how flatcars may be properly loaded for long distance hauling of packaged lumber, and the research vi'ork and specialized railroad advice has come largely from Mr. Perkiirs.

That drive is working out wonderfully. It is being proven beyond doubt that packaged lumber, properly loaded on flats, comes through in perfect condition, thus affecting great savings in the loading and unloading. Just a few weeks ago there were five flatcars so loaded on a train coming South that was in a head-on collision. Yet the five cars held their lumber loads so well in place that they were able to continue to the destination without any rearrangement or working over.

Mr. Perkins has spent his adult life as an operating man on western railroads. During his years in train service he handled and observed shipments of lumber on open top cars. He has seen the volume of such shipments increase, particularly since mechanical handling by lift fork has become so commonplace, and has long observed the need for improvement in the manner of arranging and securing lumber on a car to prevent shifting. Nlr. Perkins insists that if lumber is properly packaged and secured at the originating point, it can be compactly arranged on the car for safe and expeditious travel over the rails to destination, thus eliminating loss, damage and delay to loads en route.

During the past several years as a representative of tl-re California Railroad and Public Utilities Commissions, Mr. Perkins has exhibited a great deal of interest and resourcefulness in coordinating the efforts of various segments of the lumber industry and railroads in improved loading practices and methods. Many of the revisions in the loading rules of the Association of American Railroads rvhich govern the loading of lumber on open top cars are the result of his progressive ideas demonstrated under extensive test to be sound and practical.

His appointment as General Manager of the Harbor Belt Line Railroad was welcome news to those in the lumber industry who have worked r'vith him and noted his sincerity and zest for progress.

Olympic Stqined Products Co. Hosfs Deolers of Glinic

The Olympic Stained Products Co. was host to dealers stocking its product at a dealer clinic held in the Terrace Gardens of the Green Hotel in Pasadena the evening of June 10. The dealers gathered for dinner and heard details of the current sales contest of the company as tvell as other features.

E,ric Carlson of Seattle, stain sales manager, was master of ceremonies for the evening and sparked the discussion. Forrest Wilson, district manager, acted as local host for the party.