Philippine Mahogany Situation

By W. G. Scrim President, PhilippinelMahogany Manufacturers' Irnport Association, Inc.

It is difficult to make any prognostication concerning the Philippine lumber situation. During the past year the demand for our product has been greater than for any year since Philippine lumber was first introduced into this country. This, of course, was due primarily to the demand for our lumber for boat-building purposes in connection with the defense program.

During the past 6 months and practically the only available space for lumber has been on deck, nevertheless, the importation of Philippine lumber during that period was greater than for the same period the past six years, exceeding by fifty per cent the past six year average. For the most part, imports have been absorbed upon arrival, as a result of which there is very little Philippine lumber available at the present time, and the prospects of further importations appear to be very discouraging, to say the least. From our knowledge of the Islands, we cannot see how it will be possible to make any further shipments until the sealane around the Islands has been definitely cleared of the enemy. At the present time considerable enemy activity is occurring adjacent to the plants of the largest producers of Philippine lumber and, while we have no definite information concerning the mater, we feel that production, if not stopped entirely, is being considerably curtailed.

Philippine Mahogany imports into the United States in 1941 were approximately 3O,000,000 board feet.

San Francisco Visitor

George E. Ream, president of the George E. Ream Co., Los Angeles, and Harbor Plywood Corporation of California, San Francisco, lvas recently in San Franciseo on a business trip.

BV lacb Siaaaa

Age not guarantced---Some I have told ]or 2O years---Some Less

"And a Little Child Shall Lead Them"

A draft company from one of the big cities turned out to be an unusually big, husky, rough lot of two-fisted men. But when they got to training camp they found themselves under the captaincy of a small, pale-looking, insignificant, mustached officer. This proved a great shock to them.

The first night in barracks one of the rookies, who was evidently the "educated pig" of the gang, said: "Do you know what this company and this captain remind me of? That famous quotation from the Scriptures-'And a little child shall lead them.'"

This proved a big hit with the gang, and became the watchword of the company. Whenever the Captain passed a gang of his men standing about, no one would look at him, but someone would say, in a sort of an aside: "And a little child shall lead them." This got mighty old to the Captain, and one night just before dark the bugle called the Company out, and they lined up in front of the Captain, who had mounted a box so they could see him well. There was a light in his eye that was not reassuring and he boldly announced:

"Tomorrow morning, one hour before daybreak, with a full pack of equipment on every man's back, this gang of roughnecks is going to start on a thirty mile hike-'and a little child shall lead 1trsq1'and he'll. BE RIDING A HELL OF A BIG HORSE !''

Sent \fires to the President

Portland, Oregon, December 12Support of President Roosevelt and the Government in the present world crisis was unanimously expressed today by the Executive Committee of the Western Pine Association meeting here in special session. The following wire was sent to the White House by James M. Brown, president of the Western Pine Association:

"The members of the Western Pine Association represented by its Executive Committee at a special meeting held in Portland, Oregon, on December 12, 1941, unanimously resolved to express to you and to our government their unbounded confidence in the ultimate victory of our nation and its allies, over all its enemies. You are further assured the utmost possible support of this vital industry in the rapid production and delivery of all of the products from our mills and factories which are essential to the success of our armed forces in this world conflict. It is, and will continue to be, our aim to harmonize all of our activities and operations with the national objective of final and complete victory for the forces of right."

The Lumber MerchantJ-AG"i"tion of Northern California desires to express to you its utmost confidence in your ability not only to resist the dastardly attack of the Japanese but to bring about their ignominious defeat of which they are so deserving. We pledge to you all our re, sources in any manner in which you may see fit to use them. I am sure not only our Association but the entire industry nationally feels the same as we do and will use every possible influence at their disposal to assist in bringing about the ultimate defeat of the Axis Powers.-Bernard B. Barber, Secretary.

Permit me to advise you that this Association will give you its full and undivided cooperation in the war emergency. The foremost object of our members is to help you in every way possible to win the war.-Orrie W. Ifamilton, Secretary-Manag'er, Southern California Retail Lumber Asso,ciation.

Our industry ready to place every resource at your disposal during present war. Productive capacity believed ample to meet war needs quickly, efficiently, and patriotically. In addition to our forest resources we also pledge individual services of men in our industry in whatever capacities deemed essential to victory.-Earl M. McGowin, President. Southern Pine Association.

Army ,Cantonments in West Approved

San Francisco, Dec. l2-Lieut. Col. Harold D. Stetson, 9th Corps Area, assistant constructing quartermaster, announced today he had received approval from Washington ' for construction of three major cantcinments in the West.

Preliminary plans and engineering,specifications for the camps-at Marysville, Cal., and Medford and Corvallis, Ore. -already had been drawn up.

Each cantonment will house 33,000 soldiers.

Col. Stetson made the announcement to a convention of contractors.