Business Outlook For 1936

E. B. CULNAN, General Manager, Western Lumber Company, San Diego

Regarding the outlook for business in 1936 in our territory, I am glad to be in a position to make an optimistic statement.

There are manv factors rvhich should account for an increase in the consumption of lumber in this territory next year. In the first place, we are continuing the Exposition which reoperls in January and will bring many thousands of visitors to this city. This will not only result in a lot of money being brought into San Diego and spent here, but a certain percentage of these visitors, particularly Eastern tourists. rvill decide on making San Diego their future home and will return here to locate permanently.

The large Consolidated Aircraft Factory finds that it will be necessary to add considerably to their plant in order to take care of the brg volume of orders they have on file there, and in addition to this, they will increase their pay roll, bringing in many expert craftsmen who r.vill r6nt or buy homes in this city.

There is a distinct shortage of modern three and four bedroom homes in San Diego. Desirable rentals are few and far betrveen, and many people here contemplate building during the coming year. The banks are showing every disposition to help this program along with liberal financing on long term loans. This, coupled with the financing offered by the Government, paves the way for a very extensive building program.

Stocks generally in San Diego are well rounded out, and the yards here are prepared to take care of this anticipated increase in business.

viie presid*t-c":# HltJjl-P;, white Brothers, San Francisco

In view of the already increased home building, improved flooring sales, and a rather satisfactory December business, we believe that the spring of 1936 will be a good one for the hardwood lumber industry.

There are too many factors of world politics and domestic politics to permit even a guess as to what will happen later.

ro'35"""1#i:''

Business already booked this month makes the largest volume of December sales in our seventeen years of existence here. Orders include a rvell-assorted range of Douglas Fir lumber, piling, railroad materials, Red Cedar poles, untreated and creosoted.

We are especially gratified with the increase in our Port Orford Cedar sales to large users for factory floors, bridges, mine timbers, irrigation work and boat building. This splendid wood is just beginning to get the special recognition it deserves.

We are optimistic about increased business in all lines of construction for 1936.

A. F. stev*"";"t,TollBT.l Hearasuurg

Regarding prospects for business for 1936 in this district, am sure 1936 will be better as there is an election in November. If the election goes the way it should, 1937 should be a world beater.

In support of the above, I admit I am a Black Republican and a Damn Yankee and would vote for a yaller dog if he ran on the Republican ticket. This used to be a term of derision, but now I am proud of it and I would like to see the big stiff (if he is smaller than I am) that can tell me the Stevens family have been voting wrong since 1860.

W. R. CHAMBERLIN, \V. R. Chamberlin & Co., San Francisco

- _l e- immensely optimist:c regarding the opportunities of 1936 in this locality,

Here it is the end of the year, when most yards, in ordinary years, decline to buy lumber, giving the excuse that they want to. run down their inventory-, and they have plenty of stock on hand to last them, and-we have 6.com. accustomed to such stock phrases as these for many years gone by.

The situation with us, and I believe most of the coastwise companies, is that they are plumb full of business. Our ships are leaving the north fully loaded every trip; in fact, haven't space enough to gei all of the lumb-er aboard that is offered, and every trip are obliged to leave orders behind. The last several months have been the most active that we have experienced in the past six years, and the activity out of the yards here is good and I believe that there rvill be a real push for lumber early in 1936, and continue throughout the year; in fact. I believe the depression, as far as the lumber business is concerned, is broken and the old days of the buyer's market is past, and it is fast becoming a seller's market.

RAY CLOTF'ELTER,

W. R. Spalding Lumber Co., Visalia

Would say that anybody's guess is as good as mine. Horvever. I look for the year 1936 to be qui[e an improve- ment in volume over 1935.

B. J. BOORMAN, Boorman Lumber Company, Oakland

I look for the present improved conditions to continue through 1936. My judgment is based on the fact that there is a distinctive shortage of vacant houses. Real estate on which to build new homes is at zero valuation. Material is reasonable in price, and from all indications, funds are procurable at a lower rate of interest than we have heretofore been compelled to pay.

Furthermore, it is acknowledged that the unemployment problem can be largely solved through the building industry. This thought alone should promote favorable consideration. Low rates of interest will do more than anvthing else to stimulate building.

w. s. MoRRow.

Sales Manager, Crossett Western Company, Wauna, Ore.

The average price of Douglas Fir lumber must undergo substantial improvement during 1936. This because, as result of the industry's three-month strike last summer, our labor costs today are 10 per cent over the 1926 level which President Roosevelt strives for, while the average price since summer has been 25 per cent under 1926 level. This is a contrast which cannot long continue and with the tremendous increase in demand for next vear. we feel safe in predicting that a price level more .teaily approximating cost is inevitable. Partial proof of this has been seen during December, when Fir lumber values.have undergone noticeable strengthening. Another,condition rvhich presages advanced price level is the markedly lower than normal stock of most of the larger mills. For instance, our own normal stock is 20 million feet and todav it is onlv trvelve million. We think the demand next year will b! amply large to offset adverse effect from the treaty with Canada providing present attempts to revise the agreement to spread the allotment equally over a twelve month period are successful.

Our sales of Wolmanized Fir lumber are increasing each month by leaps and bounds and the outlook for it in 1936 is better than we had hoped for.

Lumber Schooner Tie Up Cuts Down Shipments

Ac,cording to figures issued by the Ship Owners' Association of the Pacific Coast on December 30, 76 lumber schooners were tied up in Pacific Coast ports and 26 were operating. Of the 76 steam vessels tied up, 41 were idle due to the dispute between operators and crews over working hours and overtime pay. The Sailors' IJnion demands a six hour day for sailors in port and $1.00 an hour overtime. No prospect of an early settlement is in sight.

The effect of the vessels tied up is being reflected in the lumber cargo arrivals at California ports. Lumber cargo arrivals at Los Angeles harbor for the week ended December 28, totaled 5,832,000 feet as against 15,656,000 feet for the previous week.

E. J. Stanton & Son Celebrate Chrigtmas With Dinner for Employees.

E. J. Stanton & Son, Los Angeles, celebrated Christmas with a big turkey dinner served in the main offices the night of Dec 26th, with Roy Stanton as master of ceremonies. It was a very h"ppy affair. Ed Thomas, offrce manager, gave a fine rendition of Dickens' Christmas Carol, assisted by other members of the office force. There was a lot of delightful vocal music by talented musicians, and a short program of talks. Mr. Stanton thanked his employees for their fine cooperation, and predicted that 1936 would be even better than 1935. Henry Swafford made a short, h.ppy talk on the improved situation, and the optimism of the firm. Jack Dionne, Publisher of The California Lumber Merchant, made a humorous talk.

Wholesale Sash & Door Firm Reports Business Gain

Haley Bros., wholesale sash and door dealers, Santa Monica, report a very satisfactory increase in business in 1935 over the previous year.

This firm has been in business in Santa Monica for the past l3 years, and sells exclusively to the dealer trade.

George Gorman Represents Pine Mill

Announcement is made by Yosemite Sugar Pine Lumber Company, Merced Falls, Calif., that they have appointed George \M. Gorman, 31O Sansome Street, San Francisco, sales representative for the Coast Counties and Peninsula territories.

H. J. FORD VrSrrS S. F.

Harold J. Ford, sales manager of the Yosemite Sugar Pine Lumber Co., Merced Falls, was in San Francisco recently on a business trip.

Tell Builders

V/HO WANT TO CONSTRUCT DISTINCTIVE HOMES

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