Pacific Coast Lumbermen Los Angeles Wholesalers Oppose Proposed Rail

Rate fncrease

Representatives of lumber manufacturers' associations and h_eads- of large lumber manufacturing concerns ap- peared before a meeting of the California Railroad Commission held at San Francisco on June 24, to protest against the proposed increase of 15 per cent in freight ratei, for whi,ch the railroads recently petitioned the Inierstate Commerce Commission.

A. B. Hammond, president of the Hammond Lumber Company, told commissioners that lumber manufacturers have not been able to make interest on their investments since 1926.

Willis J. Walker. president of the Red River Lumber Company, said the present high rates have been partly responsible for ,cutting employment in their plant, and that any increase would be disastrous to the industry.

Col. W. B. Greeley, se,cretary-manager of the West Coast Lumbermen's Association, Seattle, said that the Oregon and Washington railroad commissions would oppose the increase of freight rates on lumber.

A. Larsson, traffic manager of the California Redwood Association, declared that increases would be disastrous to the lumbermen and costly to the .carriers.

Representatives of other industries said. that serious consequences to their industries would follow increases in rates.

Discuss Grade-Marking

. Cql_.-W. B. Greeley,_Seattle, Wash., secretary-manager of the West Coast Lumbermen's Association, L. A. Nilson. Portland, Ore., Grading Inspection Department of the Wesi Coast Lumbermen's Association, and Harry A. I-ake. Garden Grove, Calif., president of the CalifornijRetail Lumberm9n'q Association, were guests of the Los Angeles Wholesale Lumber Association at their weekly meeting held at !!e Jonathan Club, Los Angeles, Wednesday njon, June 17.

Col. Greeley discussed lumber conditions in the Northwest and the cooperative grade-marking of West Coast lumber rvith the Southern California dealers. Mr. Lake said that in the matter of merchandising lumber grade-marking had accomplished a great deal; he stated tha-t there are 45 yards in Southern California now grade-marking lumber under the supervision of the West Coast Lumberten,s Association and that the movement is growing all over the state. The meeting ,concluded with an interlsting discussion on grade-marked lumber, Jack Rea chairmaln of the meeting, calling for expressions from all the wholesalers present.

Harry Hanson Spends Vacation At Balboa

Harry Hanson, California Panel & Veneer Co., Los Angeles, is back at his desk following a two r,veeks' vacation spent at Balboa Island. He reported that surf fishing was very good and that he made several fine catches, Mrs. Hanson accompanied him on his vacation.