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Western Pine Meeting Hears Market Due For Upturn

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Ohfuaaaet,

Ohfuaaaet,

Portland, Sept. 7-The lumber market is due for an upturn in three or four months, some 200 Western Pine lumberrnen heard today as they concluded a two-day semi-annual meeting of the Western Pine association here.

President Walter S. Johnson of San Francisco, head of the American Box Corporation, said the effects of defense work and recent credit control relaxations will be felt by early 1952. He pointed out that the lumber market is now well below OPS ceilings, "and there isn't much need for price control." He added, however, that when the expected market upswing occurs, price control might become effective.

Johnson was one of three featured speakers at the final day's session of the association meetings. S. V. Fullaway, Jr., secretary-manager, urged lumbermen to utilize industry statistics. "Properly interpreted and applied," he said, "they can be of clefinite value to the individual lumberman, particularly in a period of adjustment such as we are experiencing today."

The visiting pine officials, gathered here from 12 western states, heard assistant secretary-manager W. E. Griffee of Portland report that the summer slump in home construction throughout the country has brought a sharp downturn in order volume to many companies, particularly to those not equipped to ship mixed cars. Cther companies, he said, have gone right along so far with little or no change in volume of shipments.

Citing three factors partially offsetting the effects of slumping home construction on western pine markets, Griffee reported that retail inventories are probably now down to a point rvhere rnost dealers must buy lumber as fast as they sell it. He said that heightened industrial activity will demand more box and crating lumber and that wet weather in the south had reduced the supply of dry southern pine boards.

In a progress report on forest management of private lands under the association's Tree Farm program, president Johnson told the pine men that 22 Tree Farms embracing over 106,000 acres had been added this year. "This brings our total certified acreage to well over 3,800,000," he said.

The association's board of directors approved a series of committee reports on grading, research, forestry, promotion, statistics and traffic activities. Most significant report to the lumber trade was a grading committee action, approved by the board, adding a new grade to 4/4 (inch) factory lumber, re. defining standard mouldings and reducing allowable lengths of I-arch-Douglas Fir selects. All changes become effective October 1, 1951.

The group separated 4/4 Shop into two grades-4/4 No. 1 Shop and 4/4 No.2 Shop. 4/4 No. 1 Shop may be 4 inches wider instead of 5 inches and wider and each piece is to contain from 50 to 70 per cent of cuttings of the quality described in the rules for factory lumber. Cuttings 4 inches wide or wider and 3 feet long or longer are to grade C Select or better.

4/4 No. 2 Shop is to consist of Shop type pieces which contain not less than 33 l/3 per cent of cuttings of the size and quality permissible in 4/4 No. I Shop. Rules for 4/4 Factory Select (No. 3 Clear) remain the same.

Standard mouldings will permit such defects as are usable for both interior and exterior trim. Allowable lengths remain the same. The change was made to eliminate confusion with larger defects in bevel siding, to which previous moulding rules were linked.

Standard lengths of I-arch-Douglas Fir selects were reduced to 4 feet and longer with 3 per cent of 4 foot and 5 foot permitted.

The pine lumbermen also reviewed plans for a new 16 rnm. color film, study of arabogalactan (a potential domestic replacement, extracted from Larch trees, for gum arabic) bv the association's research laboratory, progress in blue stain control, utilization of low grade lumber, and a cooperative campaign in promotion of wood windows.

Young Lumberman?

Jack and Mrs. Butler are receiving congratulations on the birth of a son, John Charles Butler, in Mills Memorial Hospital, San Mateo, Calif., September 17. The young man weighed 7 lbs., l0 oz. Mr. Butler is associated with Dant & Russell Sales Co., San Francisco.

Ctean

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Fast

Fost delivery from our own worehouses or direct from monufocfurers. Regulor delivery schedules in northern Colifornio.

True groding meons thot you will be well sofisfied with every order you ploce wilh Wesiern Pine Supply Compony.

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