Grade Simplification Meetings Held in Los Angeles

The West Coast Lumbermen's Association on October 1l held its first Southern California meeting concerning the grade simplification system as propsed by WCLA, WPA and NLMA.

Guests at the luncheon meeting, held at the Statler Hilton in Los Angeles, included approximately 50 members of the Lumber Association of Southern California.

Cleve Edgett, executive vice president of WCLA, explained the system to the Iumber dealers. Theo. Deal, Long-Bell Division, International Paper Co., Arthur Lahey, Weyerhaeuser Co., and staff members T. K. May, Al Fiegles, Robert Mahafiey and Carl Ramstrom assisted in the presentation and question-and-answer period.

Ralph Hill, Owens-Parks Lumber Co., Erik Flamer and Paul Hollenbeck of LASC, presented the Association's divergent views.

During the evening of the llth, WCLA hosted the building officials of the Los Angeles area. This is one of the meetings held between the officials and WCLA to air mutual problems. Edgett, as chairman for the evening, introduced Al Fiegles, grading superintendent for WCLA, who explained the new stress-grading machine. T. K. May disoussed the simplified span tables to be used with the new grade standardization system.

Again, as with the lumber dealerso much interest was shown concerning the grade standardization program.

The National-American Wholesale Lumber Association held a meeting on Grade Simplification for the Los Angeles area wholesalers on October 12, at the Jonathan Club. This was the first meeting ever held in Southern California by the National. American group.

Frank Bader, Ed Fountain Lumber Co., was chairman for the meeting. He introduced Jack Mulrooney, executive vice president, and Don Andrews, western manager, who discussed f uture plans of the Association.

Gerry Prange, vice president and director of technical services for NLMA, was the principal speaker and explained the standardization system to the 40 wholesalers present.

A summary of Mr. Prange's presentation follows, for consideration, pro or con, by our readers. Should more information be desired, call the following NLMA field offices in California: in Los Angeles,

445-912I; in San Francisco, GA l-2595.

SUA,IMARY OF GRADE STANDARDIZATION SYSTEM

lssued by Notionol Lumber Mqnufocfurcrr Asrociolion, fechnlcol Servicer Division

A proposed new grading system specifically tailored to make lumber easier to specify, purchase and use for residential and light frame construction has been developed by a Special lumber industry Committee on Grade Simplification and Stairdardization. Its purpose is to provide architects, specifiers, and consumers with irniform industry standards and recommended uses for softwood lumber grades and sizes in housing and light construction.

PNOV|SIONS OF THE SYSIEiA

l. Stand,ardized, Grade Nanres-The following grade names are proposed for all softwood boards and. 2" dimension lumber used for sheathing paneling, studs, joists and rafters.

(Conti.nu,ed, on page 10)

Centuries-old choice for treasure chests and decks of sailing ships, teak is still floated down the rivers of Burma and India and Thailand to be rough-cut, then dried and seasoned for shipment to our warehouse. Well worth the years it takes to grow and the years it takes to cure, teak is just one of 52 expertly selected hardwoods at J. E. Higgins Lumber Company, 99 Bayshore Boulevard, San Francisco 24 (VAlencia 4-8744). For 83 years Northern California specialists in fine hardwoods where you'll find the right lumber for every purpose.