Lumber and Log Exports and lmports First Ten Months of 1%9

Total exports of hardwood and softwood lumber (including boards, planks, scantlings, flooring, sawed timber) and logs for the first ten months of 1939, totaled 1,W4p28 M board feet as compared with 878,426 M feet for the first ten months of 1938, a gain of 17 percent, according to figures just released by the Forest Products Division of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.

Of the total 1939 amount, sarved material accounted for 913,512 M feet as compared with 784,596, a gain of 16 percent. On the same basis of comparison, export of logs and hewn timber totaled 110,516 M feet as against 93,830 M feet, a gain of 18 percent.

In the following paragraphs, the amounts given cover the first ten m'onths of 1939. For comparative purposes the figures covering the first ten months of 1938 are in parenthesis.

Sawn so{twood totaled 675,949 M feet (572,496). In the sawn softwood group, Douglas fir was the most important species exported totaling 354,691M feet (257,896). Southern pine was next in importance totaling 234,226 M feet (253,432). Other woods ,exported in this g'roup were: white, ponderosa, and sugar pine, 36,076 M feet (D,LZ}); spruce, 76,487 M feet (9,261); redwood, I7,gg9 M feet (11,678); cedar, 4,896 M f.eet (4,214); cypress, 3,162 M feet (4,194); hemlock, 5,789 M feet (1,415). Of these woods all showed gains except Southern pine and cypress.

Sawn lrardwoods (including flooring) totaled 237,563 M feet (212,1{JO). In this group, oak totaled 738,767 M feet (122,267); ash,22,X)7 M feet (22,217); poptar, t6,546 M feet (16,239); red and sap gum L2,867 M feet (13,137).

Softwood log exports totaled m,803 M feet (7S,4gZ).

Hardrvood log exports totaled 19,713 M feet (18,338). In this log export group, Douglas fir accounted for 65,946 M f.eet (6,097); cottonwood and aspen 12,984 NI feet (8,826); hemlock, 3,621 M feet (3,536) and other cedar 2,549 M feet (1,113). Log exports of other segregated species \vere comparatively small.

With reference to the above statistics, mention should be made that sawed railroad ties and box shooks are not included (even though they are considered as lumber items), for the reason that comparable statistics ate not available.

Total imports of har.dwood and softwood logs and lumber (including clapboards and cabinet woods) totaled 769,471 M feet (572,547) an increase of 34 percent. Of this amount logs (hardrvood and softwood) accounted for 187,348 M feet (140,548) ; softwood lumber (including clapboards) 500,826 M feet (376,179); hardwood lumber and sawed cabinet woods 81,D7 M feet (55,820).

In the softwood lumber group, spruce was the most important species imported, totaling 234,928 M feet (156,632). Imports of fir and hemlock combined totaled I37,D4 M feet (138,957), and imports of pine totaled 92,913 M feet (48,866).

With reference to the above import statistics, rnention should be made that sawed railroad ties, pickets and box shooks are not inclu.ded (even though they are considered as lumber (items) for the reason that comparable figures are not readily available in terms of board feet.

Detailed monthly statistics on U. S. exports and imports of hardwood and softwood logs and lumber are compiled by the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce and are available from the Bureau on a subscription basis.

Federal Grand Jury lndicts 23 in Hardwood Floor Industry

San Francisco, December 21.-Following its investigation into asserted violations of anti-trust laws the Federal Grand Jury yesterday indicted twenty-three members of the San Francisco hardwood floor industry on charges of violating the anti-trust laws.

The charges were grouped in two indictments, the first naming the San Francisco Hardrvood Floor Contractors' Association, the Hardrvood Floor Institute, Inc., and fifteen members; the second naming five companies and eight individuals.

All defendants, according to the indictments, entered conspiracy to "unlawfully create, regu,late, fix, maintain, and control uniform, non-competitive and unreasonably high prices for the installation, alteration and repair of hardwood flooring imported into the San Francisco Bay area in interstate commerce."

Hearings on both indictments will be held in San Francisco on Tanuarv 4.

News Flashes

C. L Gilbert, Eureka Mill & Lumber Company, Oakland, Mrs. Gilbert and their son, Robert, attended the Pasadena Tournament of Roses parade and Tennessee-USC football game at the Rose Bowl on New Year's day.

Lathrop K. Leishman, Crown City Lumber pany, Pasadena, acted as chairman of the foot tee for the Tournament of Roses Association

& Mill Comball commit+Li^ -.^^- rrrrS J cdr.

Fred Kozak, Builders Supply & Lumber Company, San Diego, spent the Christmas holidays in Los Angeles.

Ross Blanchard, Blanchard Lumber Company, North Hollywood, is serving on the Federal Grand Jury.

Bert Cooper, Aldrich-Cooper Lumber was a recent San Francisco and Los company business.