g"i-"t g,ilorh*, p.

Western Pine Production

(Continued from Page 34)

There's a story, of course, behind the statistics. Obviously, the huge production has helped answer the nation's tremendous pent-up demand for housing, a demand which is still not fully met. But equally important to the dealer and user of Western Pines, it has resulted in mounting mill inventoiies which spell time and facilities for more thorough drying, better manufacture, and more careful grading. fncreased total stocks for the industry as a whole do not necessarily mean that any individual mill operator's inventory is nearing his prewar figures since the greater number of mills now in business will reduce the average per mill stock. It does indicate, however, that many new mills, in 1947 just getting into operation, are now equipped with drying, sorting and planing facilities, and older mills are in better positions.

The general quality level of shipments in this year, therefore, has been steadily increased over L947 when the industry was just emerging from a controlled condition where colossal demand coupled with price curbs combined to furnish great incentive for job lot production and no incentive for further service in the way of proper seasoning, careful manufacture or accurate grading. This year has seen many new but small operations, finally permitted a fair profit on current high costs, complete enlargement and improvement of their facilities for the long haul. Capitalizing on a tailor-made opportunity for reputation establishment, new but forward-looking opera- tors have set high standards in an effort to cement their positions in the industry for the day when the bloom has vanished from the postwar rose.

The trend has been reflected in the astonishing surge in 'Western Pine Association membership which on Dec. 31,1947, stood at 216 and, on Nov. 1 of this year had soared to D0. At least 74 mills, apparently, are counting on staying in business and want to identify themselves with industry mnaufacturing standards. The development means to dealers and users maintenance of standards and value from a wider selection of sources of supply.

Continued operation of, and the establishment of several new, concentration yards during the year indicates that postwar development will become a perinanent fixture in the Western Pine industry and will probably become a factor in keeping a number of the small mills in business. Relieved of sales burdens and reasonably assured of a fairly constant market, small mill operators may find a permanent place in the lumber production chain alongside that of the contract logger. The development is likely to accelerate as parcels of available timber become smaller.

Production and shipments by old, established mills during 1948 have continued at high rate and quality levels. Not troubled by problems of poor manufacture that plagued smaller and newer mills in the first two postwar readjustment years, the older mills today are in a better position than ever in customer relations over quality. And with inventories increasing, they're slowly getting back to more normal supply situations and consequent