R. G. Robbins Lumber Go.

Responstble Wholesale Distributors of West Goast Forest Products CALIFORNIA SAIES DEPARTMENT

General Ofrces; Spoulding Building

Spending More Than Two Million Dotl.tt A Year for Grading Lumber

The two lumber grading bureaus serving the Douglas fir region of Oregon and Washington are spending more than $2,50O,000 annually to ensure accurate grading o{ lumber from this ared, according to a joint announcement made by bureau executives.

It was also disclosed that mills producing 90 per cent of the region's lumber are members of these grading organizations-a record high for the industry-while grading inspection service is available for the remaining 10 per cent.

The two organizations serving the area on an independent basis are the West Coast Bureau of Lumber Grades and Inspection and the Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau. Together they employ 694 supervisors and inspectors, and have a combined payroll of more than $2,5@,000.

(Lumber is graded according to its suitability for the numberless uses for which it is designed. Virtually all Iumber buying and selling is done on the basis of grades.)

"Grades rvhich identify Pacific Northwest lumber are recognized throughout the nation and around the world," said the statement released by the two bureaus. "They are the foundation upon which the lumber commerce of this region rests.

"It is significant that the Douglas fir industry is spending more than two million dollars a year to insure the reliability and acceptance of its product. Accurate and dependable grading of lumber is becoming more and more important in all fields of construction."

The volume of lumber now receiving grading supervision in the Douglas fir region, the statement said, has increased more than 25 per cent since pre-war years. Supervisors are maintained in California, the Middle W"rt nnd in the East to guarantee maintenance of manufacturing standards from producer to consumer.

\(/illis F. Biederman

Willis F. Biederman, vice president of the Lumbermen's Credit Association, Inc., died at his home in Lombard, Illinois on November 5, I9+7, after a long illness. He rvas in his seventy-second year. Mr. Biederman u'as widely knou'n to several generations of lumbermen.

After many years of association r,vith the Lumbermen's Blue Book, he became vice president of the Lumbermen's Credit Association, Inc., (The Red Book) on April l, 1929, and for many years he .ivas one of the best known and best liked figures in the industry. N'Iany who never met him personally r.vill remember him for the steel-like precision of his signature.

Always a student, he rvas a leader in all of the important developments in credit reporting agency rvork during the past 5O years. At the time of l-ris death, Mr. Biederman was the oldest living ex-mayor of Webster Grove, Missouri and one of the oldest living members of 'Hoo-Hoo' in rvhich he remained active until his death.

NIr. Biederman is survived l>y trvo daughters, Bernice Francis, Alice,!{arie Fuller; a son, Willis, Jr., and nine .t granocnlloren.