Conditions in Douglas Fir lndustry Show lmprovement

Seattle, Wash., August lt, 1932.:the month of July Marked a slight improvement in the condition of the lumber industry, according to a summary by the West Coast Lumbermen's Association. A somewhat better situation is attributed to sales and shipments being considerably greater than production during the month, inventories decreasing and unfilled orders climbing.

During July mills in the Douglas fir region reported sales at 127 per cent of their production; shipments at nearly 116 per cent of the cut; inventories decreased 2.6 per cent; and the unfilled order file increased more than 2O per cent. Inventories are 12.2 per cent less than at this time last year and stocks are becoming more poorly assorted.

Operations at the close of the month rvere at t9.2 per cent of capacity compared with an average of.23.I per cent since January 1. Of the 321 mills reporting during the latest week, 211 were down and 110 were operating.

The lumber trad.e of the area is feeling somewhat better because of the statistical improvement and the belief that the federal home loan bank system will lead to a revival of small house construction in many areas. With lumber and some other building costs at the lowest levels in twenty years and land for building greatly depreciated, the lumber industry is anticipating construction of homes as soon as a bottom is placed in the mortgage market.

Advices from sellers to the West Coast Association are to the effect that the lumber tariff of $3.00 imposed by the recent Congress with the added $1.00 countervailing on rough lumber has practically eliminated British Columbia mills from the California and Atlantic Coast water trades. The business formerly going to the Canadian producers in these trades is now being taken by Washington and Oregon mills and accounts for some of the recent improvement.

British Lumbei Stocks Reported Approaching Current Demand

The London Timber Trades Journal of July 30 states in part in an editorial concerning British lumber consumption-Another month's consumption of the comparatively light stocks of European softwoods in England will bring supply and demand into nearer relationship and even if prices do not advance, there ought to be more business at current figures.

The editorial continues to say that:-not nearly so much European softwood lutnber has been sold as usual to France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, or Spain and stocks are very light in those countries. The London Journal states that if importers on the Continent begin to replenish their stocks, the reaction would at once be felt in England.

Had Enjoyable Trip

Fred V. Holmes, sales manager, Holmes Eureka Lumber Co., San Francisco, has returned from a hunting trip in Mendocino County. He reports having had a very pleasant time and considerable success.

Distributors Of

DOORS and PLy\f OOD

Unexcelled Service on

OF ANY DESCRIPTION, IN EITHER HARDVOOD OR SOFTWOOD

-WE SELL DEALERS ONLY-

Nicolai Door

SALES CO.

,045 19th Sreet SAN FRANCISCO

Telephone Mlscion 792O

When You Sell

Booth-Kelly Douglas Fir, the A$ociation grade and tradc mark ccrtifu to your customers the quality of tho stock you handlc. Buildcre quit guessing about what they'rc buying, and buy wherc they know what they're getting.

Gcneral Salcr Officc: Eugene, Ora

Millr: Wcndling, Orc", Springficld, Orc.

CAT.TTONXTA REPRESENTATIVES

Northctr Crlifordr

Hill & Morton, lac.

Dcnairoi St rf,herf O*frd

Southorn C,rliforair

E. J. Strntoa & Son

4ta E. 3tth st., Lor Aajclcr