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mension. It establishes sepa.rate sizes for seasoned and unseason,ed lumber and provides for simplified span tables.

The national grade program, which has evolved over the last two years., recognizes that unseasoned lumber from the Douglas fir region has proved highly satisfactory in use. We insist, Edgett stated, that existing size standards for green lumber be maintained. We do agree, he added, that there is a technically sound basis for introducing reduced sizes for dry lumber in order to provide equivalent performance.

We will oppose, said Edgett, arry effort to modify or change the program rvhich was ten,tatively approved by representatives of the regional associations making up the National Lumber Manufacturers Association earlier.

Edgett said the western groups would also oppose a revived proposal of the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau which would require:

1) Unseasoned lumber to be surfaced oversize.

2) Unseasoned lumber be so identified on the grade stamp.

3) Seasoned lumber be restricted to a maximum oL I9/. moisture content.

A meeting of the NLMA executive committee and the NWPP steering committee will be held on August 20 and it is expecited, according to Edgett, that these matters will be thoroughly discussed at that time.

"\\re do not intend to back down," Edgett warned. "We do not intend to allow unreasonable roadblocks to be erecte'd to prevent the sale of our West Coast species either in seasoned or unseasoned form. We have a good product and the nation's lumber buvers deserve the choice of buying eiiher seasoned or unseasoned lumber without penalty."

Lumber retailers, wholesalers, specifiers and other users will have an ample opportunity to review and discuss the proposed simplification and standardization program before it is finally adopted. The program has been before the manufacturers during the past two years at a number of meetings on the local, regional and national level. It is proposed to take the final program out again into the manufacturing regions this fall. All elements will have a chance to express their opinions when the final program after approval by the American Lumber Standards Committee is referred back to the trade for balloting by the Department of Commerce, Edgett pointed out.

(Tell them you sau it in The California Lumber Merclwnt)