Changes in Conseryation Order M-208

San Francisco, October S.-Several changes were made today by the War Production Board in conservation order M-208, which rigidly controls the distribution and use of all types and grades of softwood lumber the Regional WPB revealed.

In the original order, preference ratings applying to lists, A, B, and C were assigned "unless a higher rating is applied or extended thereto under a preference rating order or certificate." Today's amendment (No. 2) provides that no preference rating is assigned by M-208 to any delivery of softwood lumber if the user is entitled to apply or extend a preference rating assigned on any other preference rating order or certificate.

The amendment also makes minor adjustments of classifications. The revised classes follow:

Class l-Orders for the most urgent needs, bearing preference ratings of AA-1 or AA-2.

Class 2-Orders bearing preference ratings of AA-2X, AA-3, AA-4, or lower, but higher than A-1-A, including uses listed in list A attached to the order.

Class 3-Orders bearing preference rating A-1-A through A-1-K, including uses listed in list B attached to the order.

Class 4-Orders bearing preference ratings lower than A1-K, including those uses listed in list C attached to the order.

AAA Orders, of course, are to be accepted and filled ahead of all other orders and without regard to restrictions placed on certain grades.

The amendment adds certain grades of softwood lumber to the restricted categories. The revised list follows:

Southern Pine, Douglas Fir or Western Larch sold as meeting specifications of 1,800 or 2,000 fiber stress per square inch, or 1300 or 1450 pounds compression stress, except on class 1 orders;

Southern Pine, Douglas Fir, Cypress or Western Larch sold as meeting specifications of 1,400 or 1,600 pounds fiber stress per square inch, or 11@ or 1200 pounds compression stress, except on Class 1 or Class 2 orders,

Douglas Fir, West Coast Hemlock, Noble Fir or Sitka Spruce, of Grades No. 1, No. 2 or any higher common grade, except on Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 orders,

Southern Pine of Grades No. 1, No. 2 or any higher common grade, or of No. 1 Box or No. 2 Box (not including D or better flooring, ceiling, drop siding or partition) except on Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 orders,

Idaho White Pine, Northern White Pine, Eastern White Pine, Norway Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Sugar Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Jack Pine Cypress, White Fir, Eastern Hemlock, Engelmann Spruce or Western White Spruce, of grades No. 2 or No. 3 common, except on Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 orders,

Eastern Spruce or grades selected merchantable and grade No. 1 (merchantable), except on Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 orders.

The original order provided for only a 60-day inventory and required use by the consumer within 60 days, or l2O days in the case of green lumber. The Amendment removes this restrictien from producers, such as sawmills and concentration yards and box factories. A producer is defined as "any plant which processes, by sawing, edging, planing or other comparable method, 25 per cent or more of the total volume of logs and lumber purchased or received by it." A box factory is defined as "any person who manufactures from softwood lumber purchased by him, boxes, box shooks, or cut-to-order size rating."

Fir Door O PA Ruling

San Francisco, Oct. 6.Higher transportation costs caused by increased freight rates on Douglas Fir doors may be included in the manufacturer's selling price, the Office of Price Administration said today through the Regional Office.

This provision, inserted in the maximum price regulation for Douglas Fir door (revised price schedule No. 44), brings the regulation into conformity with prices regulations for other lumber products by allowing the seller to use the same method of computing transportation costs that he used in the 30 day period ending December 10, 1942. The change is contained in Amendment No. 1, effective October 6.