Business Outlook For 1936

P. vtl. CHANTLAND, Schafer Bros. Lumber & Shingle Co., Los Angeles

'We are pleased to inform you that the coming year looks as though it may become the "one year in ten" which many lumbermen talk about.

From the standpoint of a manufacturer our company feels very optimistic because, with very few exceptions, mills do not have the large inventories rvhich worried them in recent years. Also, it should not be hard to convince Canadian mills it is to their advantage to spread their U. S. quota of lumber products over a 12 month period, and if this is done the market should remain steady.

As a distributor, rve are optimistic because yard inventories, generally, are low and dealers are now aware of advanced operating costs rvith the result that they are more willing to pay fair prices for their purchases. This applies to the rail market as well as to California and Atlantic coast cargo markets.

C. R. MOORE, Moore Mill & Lumber Co., San Francisco

Frankly, I have been concerned with the lumber business on the Coast and in California so long now that I have discontinued the habit of holding long distance opinions because I have found myself severely disappointed on a number of occasions.

My guess is that California, especially your own portion of it, will furnish the mills of the Northwest a good deal to do during the coming year. Our own organization will be in a little bit better position to meet the demand than it has been, and we hope to meet squarely our responsibility in helping to keep California supplied with lumber.

I. E. BRINK, Supt. Branch Yards, The Diamond Match Co., Chico

While business has improved somewhat in Northern California over the past year, the rural districts have not responded to recovery to the extent we had hoped. The farmers seem to have plenty of use for their money taking care of old obligations. The National Housing Act, Title One, has helped to some extent, but Title Two has shown practically no activity whatsoever.

At the present time, Northern California is badly in need of rain and unless we get an ample supply within the next few weeks, it will make a big difference in our sales volume for 1936. At the present time there is nothing to indicate that 1936 business will be any better than 1935, and naturally the lumber dealers will have to plan accordingly.

P. R. KAHN, Forsyth Hardwood Company, San Francisco

We are very optimistic on the prospects of 1936 showing greatly improved conditions in the industry. A conserva[ive estimate rvould be at least 25 per cent.

Furniture manufacturing and residential building should go into a mild boom, with heavy industrials not far behind- At least we are backing up our opinion, as we are now carrying the largest inventory we have had in the past six years.

J. F. WRIGHT, Brey-Wright Lumber Co., Porterville

The conditions ant the outlook for this community for the year 1936 appear to be better than for several years past.

Philippine Mahogany Manufacturers' lmport Atsn., Inc.

DURING THE COMING YEAR THIS ORGANIZATION PROPOSES TO TELL THE LUMBER USING WORLD MANY INTERESTING AND HELPFUL TRUTHS ABOUT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, USEFUL, AND ECONOMICAL OF CABINET VOODS-

IIIAH(lGA]IY PHILIPPI]IE