For W frame construct't on.

sussest E'YG ELMA tYtY SPR UCE

easA hqndl/ing speeds construct'ion t'ime a,nd cuts costs

ENGELMATVT SPRUCE is an ideal lumber {or wall sheathing, roof decking and subflooring. It combines light weight, adequate strength and the ability to be nailed easily without splitting. Small knots give even the lower grades a good ap. pearance. Engelmann Spruce is used for studding, joists and other general construction in accordance with its strength properties.

For interior uses the small, tight knots and light *lo. of Ettg"l-ann Spruce provide a wood for interesting paneling and interior finish. It is carefully ilried,, assuring more accurate sizing and improved woodworking qualities, insuring lower maintenance costs.

Write for FREE illustrated book about Engelmann Spruce to: WESTERN PINE ASSOCIATION, Dept. 707-K, Yeon Building, Portland 4, Oregon.

iWestern Pine Association

i m".be, mills monulaclure fhese woods lo high i slondords of seasoning, groding ond nsosurernenl i ldaho tYhite Pine Ponderosa Pine Sugar Pine i tYhite Flr. Incense Gedar. Douglar Fir. lrrch i RedCedar.LodgepolePine.EngelmannSpruce

Todoy's Western Pine Tree Forming Guqrontees Lumber Tomorrow

During the month of June, the Lumber Merchants Association of Northern California was pleased to welcome the following firms into membership:

Central Valley Builders Supply, St. Helena-Robert Patterson, owner; and Nevada Lumber Company of Tahoe Valley-Harold Dayton, Jr., and F. K. Rahbeck, managing partnefs.

Survey of Operating Results

The Association's SURVEY OF OPERATING RESULTS lor 1957, which reports the gross profit, operating ratios and net profit as well as considerable other operating data of participating dealers, will shortly be published and distributed to member-dealers. The report, which has been expanded to include substantial comparative data, is presented in four-volume categories to enable individual dealers to compare their operating ratios with other dealers in the Northern California area doing a similar type operation.

Fresno Meeting

The Lumber Merchants Association sponsored a meeting of member-dealers from Fresno, Merced, Delano, Porterville and intermediate areas in Fresno the evening of Jrrne 17 to discuss the rapidly expanding and profitable h6meimprovement market. Representatives of Fresno's leading lending institutions, as well as from the Title I Division of FHA and Allied Building Credits, also attended the meeting.

Frank Crosby (left), the Northern California regional director for the Home Improvement Council-or HIC as it is popularly termed, told the almost 70 lumbermen and lenders present that the national home improvement market is today conservatively estimated at more than 14 billion dollars-materials for which are furnished by the retail lumber industry. Hardware, appliances, etc., represent an additional market of l7l billion dollars for a total of 3ll billions-more than double the size of the new construction market.

At no other time, Mr. Crosby stated, has the oppor- tunity to increase sales at full profit been more oppor- tune than at present-earnings have remained relatively stable and savings are at an all-time high.

People are also spending more on home improvements as indicated by the average FHA Title I insured loan, which in 1956 was $683 but in 1957 rose to $781. Current trends indicate that the averag'e loan in 1958 will approximate $1,000, an increase of more than 25/o. Representatives present from lending institutions confirmed that there is ample financing available in most communities for home lmprovements.

HIC is a permanent national organization sponsored by manufacturers, dealers, lenders, trade associations and contractors-each of whom has a common interest in stimulating the market. The Council's principal aim is to promote the home-improvement market by uniting all seclions of the building materials industry behind a well-coordinated home-improvement promotion directed toward the home owner.

In addition to furnishing home-improvement articles to leading shelter and women's magazines, HIC has distributed homeimprovement kits to more than 1,400 newspapers and 1,500 radio stations, all of whom are eager to join in tlie promotion.

As part of its program to alert homeowner! to needed home alterations or improvements, the Council is sponsor- ing two $125,000 contests (the second phase commenced July 1) with a first prize of $25.000 and -ore than 1.000 additional prizes. As part of the entry procedure, contestants are required to complete a checklist on their home,

(Continued on Page 58)

Add Your Voice to lndusfry's Affoirs lfhe A-

Survey of Business Conditions End of First Gluorter, | 958 Composite Report

SUARTERLY DATA

Co_mpared with the fourth quarter of 1957 (12/31/57) :

VOLUME: Average 10.60/o down report volume is the same report volume is 14.8/o down report volumeis l4/o up

Average 0.29/o up report inventory is the same report inventory is 9.2/o down report inventory is 10.6/o up

Average 7.5/o down

7/o rqort net profits are the same

67/o repo* net profits are 18.2/o down

26/o report netprofits are17.6/o up

ANNUAL DATA

Conrpared with the first three months of. 1957 (3/31/57) :

VOLU[,{E: Average 9.9/o clown

3/o report volume is the same

72/o reportvolume is 18.0/o down

25/o report volume is 12.3/o up

INVENTORY: Average 0.85/o down

I3/o rcportinventory is the same

4O/o report inventory is I2/o down

47/o rcport inventory is 10.2/o up NET PROFITS: Average 6.6/o down

24/o report net profits are the same

56/o report net profits are l9.l/o down report net profits are20.2/o up