GlusrlNA's ur' NFPW SPEECH

i , (Continued, lrorn Page 30) there won't be any consumer for structural . lumber.

I must comment for a moment that the . lumber size standard proposition has met , with no greater resistance than from some here in Southern California' This is com. pletely understandable when one considers two factors:

(I) this is a prime market for unseasoned lumber; and '

(.2) opponents of the standard have ' asserted that the new standard will eliminate the substantial existine market for ungeasoned dimension and b6ards.

The first situation, I am certain, will not change. Southern California will continue ' to be a prime market for unseasoned lumber. The second assertion is patently incorrect. There is nothing in the proposed size revision which would tend to elinrinate the market for unseasoned lumber. Lunrber is sold on price and since unseasoned producers need not add the cost of kiln drying to their price per thousand, ur,r.ororrd lumber will continue to enjoy a lower price and a ready market. Freight advantages which will accrue to dry shippers pertain mainly in long distance rail shipments, such as from Oregon to the East, and even then they amount to less than half o{ the cost of drying per thousand board feet.

The ready availability of unseasotted lumber, its lorver price, and history o{ performance in its market areas will assure continued dernand for this product by builders who are familiar with its use and suitability for their own operations.

As a matter of actual fact" the assurance that architects, builders and specifiers will irave that unseasoned lumber will attain a standard dimension in place may well serve to increase the unseasoned market rather than diminishing it.

PROPOSED % BOARD

Considerable fear has been expressed in this area regarding the acceptability of the proposed new 5/g-inch board for sheathing and subflooring by FHA and the codes. As with any attempt to make a product more competitive, we are bound to experience some code and specification problems. Of all industries, however, we are probably best equipped to handle situations of this type. The NLMA code stafi is well trained and competent. Our staff will be using data resulting from tests at three different laboratories which amply prove the adequacy of the 5/6-inch board. Copies of this report have been made available to the Lumber Association of Southern C,alifornia.

Of even greater importance, however, is the need for lumbermen in the area to essist in code work and join with the NLMA code man in the area in seeking acceptance of the new sizes. It has been most disappointing to us to note that some in this region who have opposed the nerv sizes because of a fear that the codes would not accept the 5/a" board have actually appeared to try to stimulate such an attitude on the part of building officials.

The key to marketing is, I repeat, customer satisfaction and to achieve customer satisfaction these days builders must meet close tolerances imposed by technical advances in other supplyiug industries. If lumber is to compete efiectively with nraterials which can be extruded, rolled, cast and machined to precise dimensions, the lumber manufacturer must provide a lrroduct marked by similar dimenu,."i'al stability, the same close tolerances to size and strength relationships, and the same simplicity and economy of purchase.

We like to contemplate our forest management practices here in the United States. Our foresters are doing a magrrificent job and are winning wider respect for the tremendous service they render not only the companies which hire them but the national interest as well.

The statistics of regeneration and pro-