2o4or PTYWOOD FIOORING

lnterregionol Flows of Softwood Lumber

A study of lumber distribution has been completed recently by I. I . Holland, Department of Forestry and G. G. Judge, Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Illinois, Urbana, according to J. N. Spaeth, forestry department head.

Although information on interregional lumber shipments is available for isolated parts of the country,, an estimate of the current lumber flow system for the whole nation has not been available until now. Softwood and hardwood lumber are handled separately in this study.

In 1958, the year chosen for study, about 30 billion board feet of softwood Iumber and six billion board feet of hardwood lumber were consumed in the United States. The report shows the lumber surplus and deficit regions of the nation and the system of lumber flows between regions. The investigators used actual freight rates and assured that lumber suppliers try to maximize their returns on lumber shipment costs. In addition, the report presents alternative flow patterns using difierent freight rate structures.

It is estimated that 18.5 billion board feet of soft wood lumber moved in interregional trade in l95B at a transport cost of about 572 million dollars. Washington, Oregon, Californiao Montana and Idaho in the west and Missouri. Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina in the south were the heavy suppliers.

About 2.8 billion board feet of hardwood lumber moved in interregional trade in I95B at an estimated transport cost of almost 80 million dollars. Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, the Carolinas and Virginia were among the top suppliers.

Leading deficit states, those that were highest in consumption from interregional shipments, included New York, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania for softwoods. For hardwoods top deficit states were California, New York, Florida, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana.

In addition to the lumber flow patterns, the report contains maps showing the geographic price differential patterns for hardwood and softwood lumber. So far as is known, these have never been presented before.

For a copy of the reportr write to Department of Forestry, 2I9 Mumford Hall, Urbana, Illinois.

NBMDA Develops Regionol Orgonizotion

A major step in the programming of {uture activities of the Na' tional Building Material Distributors Association is reported with the development of 12 regions-Il in the fl.S. and one in Canada. "The continual growth of NBMDA membership and our Association's wider participation in industry and inter-industry projects and services makes organizing on a regional level an efiective means of accelerating specific programs and communicating results," said NBMDA President Donald B. Richardson, Richardson Lumber Co.. Denver" Colo.

Richardson outlines the following initial activities now being developed on a regional basis: educational programs, industry statistics, membership promotion, and advertising programs. Beginning in 1963, NBMDA will sponsor at least one regional meeting a year in each region.

The 12 regional co-ordinators named and their areas involved

1-C. W. Walters, Beacon Sales Co., Inc., Somerville, Mass. (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont).

2-C. H. Ringwalt, Stelwagon Mfg. Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Pa. (New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania).

3-M. L. McGreery, Michigan Wholesalers, Inc., Jackson, Mich. (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin),

REGION 4-Don Knecht, Building Material Distributors, Rapid City, South Dakota (Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota).

REGION 5-L. .H. 'Jenkins, Jenkins Wholesale Supply Co., North Wilkesboro, N. C. (Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia).

REGION 6-H. A. Almand, Jr,, Booker & Co., Inc., Tampa, Fla. (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina).

REGION 7-M. R. Wentz, Fort Smith Sash & Door Co., Fort Smith, Ark. (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas),

REGION 8-J. M. Hoak, Wheeler Lumber Bridge & Supply Co., W. Des Moines, Iowa (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska).

REGION 9-A. F. Robinson, Lumber Yard Supply Co., Great Falls, Mont. (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming).

REGION 10-C. D. Stone, Elliott Bay Lumber Co. Seattle, Wash. (Alaska, Nevada, Northern California, Oregon and Washington).

REGION 11-P. K. Sink, Mason Supplies, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif. (Arizona, Hawaii, New Mexico and Southern California).

REGION 12-W. C. Dufus, W. Clare Duffus, Ltd., Kitchener, Ontario (Canada).

For more information write to NBMDA Headquarters, 22 W. Monroe Street, Chicago 3, Illinois.

New Pomphlet Exploins Lumber Grqde Simplificolion ond Stondqrdizqtion

Detailed information concerning a new standardization system of lumber grades and sizes for frame construction has been made available by the National Lumber Manufacturers Association through an easy to understand eight-page pamphlet.

Designed to acquaint lumber manufacturers, specifiers and users with the background of the system, its need, development and provisions, the pamphlet discusses standardized grade names, uniform grade requirements, standard grade descriptions, standard lumber sizes, a new sheathing and paneling thickness, and simplified joist and rafter span tables.

In addition it provides direct answers to questions which have been raised during the development stages of the standard system.

The Grade S,implification and Standardization Program was undertaken by a special committee of the National Lumber Manufacturers Association more than two years ago to facilitate design and construction with lumber while tailoring it more closely to consumer requirements. Ultimate purpose of -the system is io make lumber easy to understand and use.

Copies of the pamphlet, "A Standardized System of Lumber Grades and Sizes for Frame Construction" -uy be obtained by writing NLMA, 1619 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington 6, D.C.

Trussed Rofter Designs Booklet Avqilqble From TECO

Timber Engineering Company has announced the availability of an 8-page design booklet on its ring type roof truss system. Called "Design and Use of TECO Trussed Rafters", the booklet explains the design, fabrication, shipment and assembly of light wood roof trusses built with TECO split ring connectors.

In addition to presenting design details on the most popular series of ring type trusses, the Timber Engineering Company booklet lists other designs which are available without charge to those interested in using the TECO system for homes, schools,