Inch and One-Half Doesn't Measure Up Commerce Department Rejects Proposed New Sizes

The Commerce I)epartment has reiected the lumber industry's proposed ne* srandards for softwood lumber. The decision was first made known in a press release from Commerce Secretary Luther H. Hodges.

The proposal appears to have failed to obtain a o'consensus" majority largely through opposition from some western lumber producers.

In announcins the circulation of the proposed standaid revision in April, the department stated: "The Department ol Commerce will issue the lumber proposal as a uoluntary standard only il it has uide ind,ustry support and in addition is determinecl to be in the total national interest."

The American Lumber Standards Committee submitted the proposal a{ter two years of intensive industry discussion.

Up to press time some mills said they planned to make the thinn,er boards anyway, because the government lum,ber standards aren't mandatory.

The Commerce Department said it received replies from 3,079 persons out of more than 16,100 to whom ballots were sent. The returns were broken down into two broad categories:

(I) Replies from those whose names were submitted by various trade associations at the Commerce Department's request. lhe offieial "acceptor list." and ness for nominal two-inch lumber {rom 1/s inches to lt/z inches.

(2) replies from those who individually requested ballots. (The last change in lumber standards, in 1953. was promulgated by Commerce on the basis of fewer than I00 "acceptor" replies out of approximately 3.000 persons solicited.)

Key provisions of the new standard would have been establishment of lumber sizes at a maximum moisture content of 19 per cent, and reduction of the dressed thick.

In an angry statement, National Lum. ber Manufacturer's Association executive Mortimer Doyle challenged the grounds cited by Commerce Secretary Hodges to return the proposal to the committee.

Even acceptingthe raw percentages based upon the inclusion of such diverse groups as broom handle and casket manufacture:s who were included by the Commerce mandate. the sixty percent voting for the change indicated a significant dissatisfaction with the present standard and warrants public examination of the economic and technical analyses which Secretary Hodges indicates were not considered in reachine his decision." Doy'le said.

However, many of the producers of green lumber opposed the change from the beginning. The Lumber Association of Southern California and the Western Forest Industries Association were leadine Wesl Coast groups opposing the proposal.

In addition to charges that the new inch and one-half standard would discriminate against them. other reasons offered were in some instances. observers felt, just the opposite of the advantaqes claimed by the proponents. These included inventory and space requirement increases, the cost of lumber increasing, ship. ping and handling would be more costly or inconvenient, and the competitive position of lumber as a buildins material would be harmed.

Additional r'easons listed were that compatability of sizes would not exist, public opinion against smaller sizes would make lumber more difficult to sell. strength problt'ms {rom the change. shrinkage data not sufficienty accurate, detailed or properly used. and additional capital investment would be required.

Proponents had claimed the new standard would assure that lumber will wind up the same size in service, regardless of whether it was shipped dry or green from the mill. Currently, lumber shipped green is being finished at the mill to the same size as seasoned lumber, hence dries naturally to smaller size, they say.

The principal effects. according to those backing adoption of the new standards. would have been to improve lumber engin.eering, reduce storage, freight and handling costs, and bring the lumber sizes more in line with construction requirements.

The National Association of Home Builders, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, American Institute of Architectsl Home Manufacturers Association and National Lumber Manufacturer's Association were among major wood producer-user groups which showed strong support for the new size,

Vote Breokdown

Out of some 3766 responses of all types received by the departm,ent. about 5l.l/o were in favor of the standard and 48.9c/o opposed (after elimination of 3l votes from Canadians).

The count was 1925 to 171.1 for all classes.

Of the names which were submitted to Commerce by industry associations, the yes vote was 805 to 45ll or about 64/c. Of those who requested the ballot, the vote was ll02 to 771 or 57/c yes. Of those who wrote letters or who voted on printed reproductions of th.e ballot rather than on the official ballot, 98 voted yes and 517 no for a yes vote ol only 16/o.

Where Commerce could identify more than one ballot from a single firm or from a subsidiary, votes were eliminated.