Philippine Mahogany

By Valter G. Scrim President, Philippine Mahogany Associotion

The year 1949 has been a period of readjustment for the Philippine Mahogany industry. As this year draws to a close the industry finds itself in a much firmer position than at any time since the 'close of the war. Again supplies are adequate and the discriminating buyer is turning towards Philippine Mahogany, knowing that this wood offers the utmost in beauty and economy.

In the period immediately following the war the industry was plagued with apparently insurmountable obstacles. The destruction of many mills in the Islands by the retreating American forces and the attempt of the Japanese to move mill machinery to their homeland had resulted in the disappearance of many of the larger mills. Many experienced lumbermen had lost their lives and others were anxious to leave the Islands. Mill machinery was very difficult, if not impossible, to secure. The need for all the lumber that could be produced for reconstruction work irr the Philippine Islands themselves was very acute and strict export controls were established by the Philippine governmerlt.

In the United States the problems were also very diffictrlt. After an absence of four or five years from the American market the public had to again be made Philippine Mahogany conscious. Organizations which had specialized in Philippine Mahogany, both in its sale and use, had been forced to turnto other woods during the war years.

When the Philippine government finally eased export controls and limited quant'rties of Philippine lumber were finally available the importers entered the market with 'vigor and were pleased to find a strong response on the part of the consuming trade. However, another problem appeared. Maritime strikes on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts paralyzed. imports and once again the consumers were forced to turn to other woods for a source of supply.

It is not necessary to point out that the first months of this year were difficult for all types of industry. The buying public reduced their purchasing at the retail level. Retailers and manufacturers, fearing the worst, and anxious to reduce their large inventories of raw materials saw fit to curtail their Purchases.

The Philippine lumber industry, both in the United States and in the Islands, faced the problem squarely' Lower costs of production due to increased output and the mod- ernization of the larger mills and the utilization of more advanced methods of logging and milling enabled a reduction in prices, although it was realized that the decrease in purchasing was not rvholly, or even in any substantial part, due to prices.

The Philippine Mahogany Association, composed of a majority of the larger importers in the United States, spearheaded action to gain reductions in freight rates. Some reductions have been granted and others are pending at this time.

The problems of the industry were discussed fully at the Annual Meeting of the members of the Philippine Mahogany Association held at Colorado Springs, Colorado. An advertising program was outlined and work was immediately started. At this time over 30,000 brochures are being distributed throughout the United States by the P.M.A. and its members. These brochures, in addition to listing the salient features of Philippine Mahogany, also contain a guide to finishing Philippine Mahogany which has met with the enthusiastic response of all who have seen it.

The Philippine Mahogany Association has also been joined by the Philippine I umber Producers Association of the Philippine Islands in their efforts to promote the use of Philippine woods in the United States. These two organizations u'orking together are attempting to show the ultimate consumer, as well as the manufacturer. the many advantages of these Philippine woods.

While the importation of sawn lumber has been much lower than prewar the importation of logs has increased several hundred per cent. Only high-grade peeler and veneer logs are being imported for the manufacture of veneer for panels and doors. As the use of these items beccme widespread it is only logical to assume that the demand for sawn lumber for furniture and trim will increase also.

The Philippine Mahogany industry faces the year 1950 with the assurance that it will provide an even wider market for their product. At the present time Philippine Mahogany is coming onto the market at prices comparable to domestic and other foreign woods. The high cutting value of Philippine woods, together with its strict grading makes it an economical and sound buy.

Appointed Scrles Mcrncarer

Harry Shedrick has been appointed sales manager for the Whiting-Mead Co. of Los Angeles, succeeding Joe Matlick. Harry has been with the company for the last ten years, and was formerly assistant to Joe Matlick. His many friends in the trade are glad to hear of his promotion.

Los Angeles Hoo-Hoo Club Christmas Party And Golf Tournament

Tl-re Los Angeles Hoo-Hoo will hold its annual Christmas Party and golf tournament at the Oakmont Country Club, Glendale, on Friday, December 16.

The golfers rvill tee off at 12:19 p.m. Prizes to be arvarded will include the Roy Stanton, George .E. Rearn and The California Lumber N{erchant trophies. Other prizes will be ar,varded to the rvinners of the various special events. Door prizes will be given to the holders of the lucky tickets.

The Christmas party rvill be held in the Club House in the evening. Dinner rvill be served at 7 :I9 p.m., followed bya fine entertainment program and the ar,vard of prizes to the winners in the golf tournament. The dining room will be decorated in the usual holiday atmosphere, including a beautiful Christmas tree.

President Tom Fox and his committee are arranging for a splendid program and a big turnout is expected. Send in your reservations early.

New Plywood Compcny

North Pacific Plyrvood, Inc., is the name of a new concern that is operating the plant formerly operated by the Oregon-Washington Plywood Co. in Tacoma, Wash. The 11ew company is headed by Alvie Erb, and with him are nine former employees of Oregon-Washington Plyr,vood Co.

October Construction Volume Sustains Upward Trend

New York, Nov. 10.-The building upswing which started in August gained striking momentum in October, according to an analysis by F-. W. Dodge Corporation released here today.

Contracts awarded last month in the thirtyseven states east of the Rocky Mountains totaled $1,061,751,0m, the third highest monthly volume in the Dodge statistical series dating back to pre-boom days of the Tr'venties.

The only other months showing a higher volume rvere June, t942, when construction for war purposes was at a peak, the total then being $1,190,2&,000, and September of this year, when tlre total rvas $1,093,724,WA.

Last month's building and engineering contract volume rvas off 3 per cent from September's record, but was up 36 per cent over October of last year.

Investment commitments last month brought the cumulative total for this year in the thirtyseven states to $8,472,459,0@ or 4 per cent higher than in the corresponding ten months of last year.

The October upswing was reflected inall major classifications of building and engineering r,r'orks, and in both public-account and privateaccount contracts, with public-account projects contributing slightly more than private work to the over-all trend.

Nonresidential a'rvards in October amouuted to $357,085,000 or 3 per cent more than in Septernber and 13 per cent more than in October last year. Striking gains over the two previous months of comparison were reported for educational and science building, hospital and institutional construction and public nonresidential buildings.

Residential awards last month totaled $500,702,000. This volume was dorvn 5 per cent from September but was up a phenomenal 69 per cent over October of last vear.

We ore grotefui for our Lumber Industry Friends. And crgoin we toke pleosure in extending Cordiol Good Wishes for