H. S. Stronach to Enter Manufacturing Field

Longvieu'. Wn., Jan. 7.-H. S. Stronacl.r, rvho has been in charge of the industrial department of the West Coast Lumber Bureau's field staff, is resigning from the Bureau to engage in the manufacture of a nail rvhich he has invented and patented. Mr. Stronach first entered West Coast woods trade prornotion work in 192O, as a member of the \Mest Coast Forest Products Bureau.

Because of his experience as a mill operator, Mr. Stronach is thoroughly familiar with all phases of lumber manufacturing and selling. He is particularly well acquainted with millwork machining practices. His knowledge enabled him to perform valuable service to the West Coast lumber industry in solving machining problems for firms in other parts of the country who were beginning to use West Coast woods. Trying to use knives and methods developed for other species of wood, operators of machines often experienced difficultf in handling woods from the West Coast. During his trade promotion work for West Coast woods, Mr. Stronach made innumerable calls on different firms encountering this difficulty and taught hun-

SACRAMENTO PERMITS i8,810,79I T.Ot 1927 dreds of their machine operators to ttse West Coast wootls with complete success.

Building permits issued in Sacramento last year totaled $8,810,291, an increase over 1926 of. $1,078,218" according to figures compiled b1. City Building Inspector J. R. Shields. The increase in home permits was noticeab.le, $3,948,358 of the 1927 total representing new homes and apartments.

Another important part of IIr. Stronach's tvork lvas promoting the use of Douglas fir sash and frames. He waged an unrelenting and telling fight against steel sash and frames and was able, by acquainting architects with the merits of Douglas fir sash ancl fratnes, to swing manY important jobs to this woocl.

Mr. Stronach is associated rvith several Pittqburgh bankers who are financing the manufacture of his nail. They have bought a plant in Pittsburgh and are planning to_i-nstall a number-of nail machines in the near future. Mr. Stronach's nail is similar to other wire finishing nails, except that its tip is flat instead of pointed, ?nd is triangular initead of round or eliptical. This nail effects penetration by shearing the fibres of the wood instead of spreading them apart, thereby greatly reducing the pressure which causes lplitting. As the fibres are cut and forced down. they cling to the nail and give it greater holding P9w-er than hava round pointed nails which merely spread the fibres.

George Gunning Is San Francisco Visitor

George Gunning, formerly with the Algoma Lumber Company, Algoma, Oregon, was visiting in the Bay district over the holidays. Mr. Gunning takes a prominent part in Hoo Hoo affairs and is a past president of the Susanville Hoo Hoo Club.