Wide New Horizons for Lumber in 1956

By Leo V. Bodine Ex e c utiu e V i ce -Pre s id. ent

N ational Lumber Manufacturers Association

The lumber picture during 1955 has been a cheering one. As this was being written, production for the year is estimated atapproximately 38.5 billion board fee-t-five percent above output of 36.7 billion board feet in 1954. Lumber consumption for 1955 is estimated at appio*imately 42.5 bittton board feet-or six percent above consumption of 40 billion board feet in 1954. if present esiimates prove accurate, both pro- duction and consumption this year will be at their highest levels since 1950

Both softwoods and hardwoods have shared in the gains recorded by ourindustry this year. In the first eight months of 1955, softu,ood shipmenrs were rwo percent above production, r,vhile nerv orders u,ere three per- :i^*,I:?t;,"lut rve must also take into account the political cent above. Hardwoo<l shipments in the first eight -onth. Iacts oI llre' of 1955 exceeded olrtput by nine percent, rvhile nerv orders

Administration rs watching

u,ere l4/o above production. It is interesting to note that Since most of our politicians apPear to be of sound mind a year earlier, l-raidr,vood shipments were r3/o belorv pro- and anxious to be re-elected, rve may assume-particularly duction, wl.rile new orders were I4/o belorv. in an election year-that the administration rvill do allit

This marked improvement in the hardwood situation :il,-t: u":o t::t,ttuction generally' and homebuilding esreflects strength in the furniture market, a significana Pecially' ata high level in the coming mo.ths' If homeincrease in hardwood lumber exports to the united building sho*'s signs of falling off to any great extent' u'e Kingdom, a continued rise in hardwood flooring pro- may expect a prompt easing of the present reins on home duction, and related factors. mortgage activity' production or rrard,vood nooring shows a gain ot 16/o .#;,3J::L1,1"r;$;,iti*:::f'l}i:il:u"::: over 1954. Output totaled nearly 849 million board feet in' the first eight months of 1955, compared with less than 732 farm housing starts in 1956-about 100'000 below the mitlion board feet in the .or..rpo^iing period tast year.

,o-. 12 billion board feet

Attempting to predict the future is an onerous and thankress task. rhe rorecaster somewhat prayerrury assumes that what he says, or a reasonable facsimile thereof, rvill only a small share of next year,s starts_about 45,000 in the hold true until it's time to start prognosticating all over 12 months ending next fune 3O. again'

Despite th. p.-otr"lte'decli.re in housing starts next year,

No one is going to agree 100/o with an appraisal of the more money may be poured into private residential buiiding current situation, or predictions for the future. Once these than in 1955. The total for 1955 is expected to reach about facts are recognized' the job of forecasting is a little easier. $14.6 billion .ivhich, in itself, rvould be a record. The out-

The construction picture for the coming year is marked look is for a slightly higher figure next year_because of by a number of uncertainties, but the fact that 1956 is an increased costs and the trend toward bigger and better election year gives a clue to rvhat may develop. homes. The 1956 figure rn,ill include not only money spent Credit would seem to hold the key to the pace of new on next year's starts but also outlays to complete houiing construction during 1956. And in no single phase of the units started late in 1955. construction picture will credit figure more prominently Predictions of total new construction outlays for next than in homebuilding. year run as high as $44.1 biltion. This wouli be a gain

Recent g'overnment actions aimed at restraining home of $2.3 billion, or six percent, over the record $41.g mortgage credit must be vieu'ed as a deterrent to home- billion estimated for 1955. building. Some observers fear that these restraints will Commercial and religious building are among the noncause an appreciable drop in housing starts next year. residential classes of construction expected to iegister an There is no denying that tightened credit could have a most increase over 1955. Commercial building will be aided by adverse effect on this important lumber market in the com-

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SO MANY GODS, SO MANY CREEDS, SO MANY ROADS THAT WIND AND WIND. WHEN ALL THIS OLD WORLD REALLY NEEDS. IS JUST THEART OF BEING KIND.

Now the Christmas ,*:":n;roaches, the time-as the old adage says-for giving and for getting, forgiving and forgetting. In many lands throughout the earth by untold millions of people of many denominations and colors and races, this holiday-this holy day-will be observed. The plain and simple words of that plain and simple Carpenter of Galilee will be frequently quoted. Men twist His words and meanings to suit themselves, yet never was a plainer or more understandable philosophy spoken. Be kind, be decent, be honorable, be just, take an interest in your neighbor and lend a hand-that about covers all of His preachings and teachings.

We wish one and all of you lots of good cheer, The Happiest Christmas-the Brightest New YearMay you get what you want, and want what you get, And ne'er have occasion to worry or fret.

We wish you all sorts of things, vigor and health, Contentment, prosperity, honor, and wealth; May you get from the youngsters their faith so sublime, To fill you with joy at this fine Christmas time.

"What means this glory round our feet?"

The Magi mused, "more bright than morn?"

And voices chanted clear and sweet, "Today the Prince of Peace is born."

"What means that star?" the shepherds said, "That brightens through the rocky glen?"

And angels answering overhead

Said: "Peace on earth, good will to men." * {< * -Lowell'

"Remembering you at Christmas," Thus read your Christmas card, Remembering you was easy, Forgetting you came hard. It seems so very long ago, The day you locked your heart, The universe has wheeled for me, Since we have been apart.

Remembering me at Christmas!

Of course I thank you, dear, But Oh, my love! Remember?

I remember all the year.

-E. L. Spaulding.

Without the door let sorrow lie. And if for cold it has to die, We'll bury it in Christmas pie, And ever more te 3.ft.

If price were asked to view a setting sun, Or pluck the wild flowers on a hill; If toll were paid to watch a silver moon, And listen to the whippoorwill; If gold were charged for all that friendship means, For sympathy and love unsought, The comfort found in understanding hearts, The precious gifts that are not bought; Would we, perchance, more grateful be For all these blessings given free?

-(Author Unknown.) ,krF*

It was Christmas eve in the barracks, And the GI's all were there, Thinking of home and loved ones, Dreaming of friends so rare, When sudden the voice of the Sergeant, Rang through the barracks-"Pals, What do you want for Christmas?" And the soldiers answered-'GAls."

Father calls me William, sister calls me Will, Mother calls me Willie, but the fellers call me Bill ! Mighty glad I ain't a girl-ruther be a boy, Without them sashes, curls, and things that's worn by Fauntleroy !

Love to chawnk green apples an' go swimmin' in the lake, Hate to take the castorile they give for belly-ache ! 'Most all the time, the whole year round, There ain't no flies on me, But just fore Christmas I'm as good as any boy can be. F'or Christmas, withits lots an' lots of candies, cakes, an' toys, Was made, they say, for proper kids, and not for naughty boys;

So wash yer face an'bresh yer hair an' mind yer p's and q's, And don't bust out yer pantaloons, and don't wear out yer shoes;

Say "Yessum" to the ladies, and "Yessir" to the men, An' when they's company don't pass yer plate for pie again; But, thinkin' of the things yer'd like to see upon that tree, Jest 'fore Christmas be as good as any boy kin be !

* >k -By Eugene Field.

Book of Luke, L2-L9z "And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry."