.W'hat Lumber Buyers Want

Washington, Dec.-Direct cooperation with large consumers of lumber is being undertaken by the trade extension department of the National Lumber Manufacturers' Association as a result of a questionnaire to leading engi' neers, architects, purchasing agents and contractors asking how the department can best meet their lumber needs. Approximately 18,00O cards requesting this information wCre distributed recently and the replies received thus far indicate a wide and varied interest in the trade extension development work.

The suggestions, covering a wide range, present as a whole a comprehensive cross section of the problems of lumber consumers. About one-sixth of the suggestions received pertain to lumber grading, and requested information as to how lumber is graded and rvhere grading rules might be obtained. A number reported difficulty in getting the particular grade of lumber they specified and expressed the belief that grade and trade-marked lumber would solve their problems.

The next largest group of suggestions asked for information as. to the specific grade and species to use for a particular 'purpose. In many cases this type of inquiry came from purchasing agents. Where possible this infor' mation is being furnished them, and as the work of the Trade Extension Department progresses information of this character will be prepared for the more important uses of lumber.

The third largest group of suggestions centered about the question of standard sizes. A few objected to the use of nominal sizes as compared to the actual dimensions of the finished lumber. In most cases, however, the consumers expressed a desire for uniform actual sizes corresponding to the nominal size specified.

A large number complained of the difficulties experienced with green lumber, and asked that seasoned lumber be made more generally available.

A handbook of design was suggested by many- as a desirable undertaking of the association that would fill a vital need of the architects and engineers and assist them in their problems of lumber design.

Better Merchandising

Still other consumers suggested the need of better merchandising of lumber. Thii group..covered a wide field, ranging fiom complaints about distribution practices to inopportune deliveries of finished material.

- Most of the inquiries were of a type that could be answered readily, either through publications already available from the-National Lumber Manufacturers' Association or by special communications from the staff -of the organiiation. Virtually all of the suggestions, however, wer€ acknowledged by- individual letter, thus establishing a direct and importint contact on the part of the trade extension department with the large consumers of lumber.

Othei scattered suggestions included the following: "educate carpenters and-builders with respect to s.tr-uctural values of timber;" "give us information how to build better crates and boxes;" -"furnish lumber cut to odd lengths;" "extend the trade mark;" "extend use of short lengths;" "reduce time for delivery from mills;" "list of honest, reliable sources of lumbei;" "furnish samples of woods so woods might be identified;" "advertise beauty qualities of wood."

One of the outstanding features of the suggestions, was the fact that a large majority were of a distinct, constructive nature, indicaiing genuine interest in the plans of the industry.

LONG.BELL PUBLISHES NEW BOOK ON OAK FLOORING

Nfore than a year ago the Long-Bell Lumber Company began a special rvork which it felt would be of material benefit to lumber dealers and others interested in oak floor- ilg. After many experiments and careful research under the direction of F. N. Vanderwalker, well-known paint technologist (editor of "American Painter and Decoiator" and author of several books on interior decoration, painting and y"og. finishing), and others equally expert in theirue"rpe.- tive lines, this work has been completed and the resultJ included in Long-Bell's latest book, "Beautiful Floors".

"Beautiful Floors" is one of the most cornplete and up- to-date treatises on oak flooring-its laying, -finishing, refinishing and gals-1hat has ever been publisnea. Iicontains forty pages, many of which shor,ri beautiful illustrations reproduced by six color off-set lithography; up-to-theminute instructions for laying and finishing; how-flooring having a rvide variation of color may be made uniform-; how to use lacquers; how to lay new floors over old and how to obtain various finishes on new or old floors to harmonize with different schemes of interior decoration. Of particular interest is the fact that none of the finishes shown requires arty special brands of floor,finishing material-that in the obt-aining of artistic finishes any nuriber of different manufacturers' products rvere used.

Interior views faithfully reproduced from actual home settings will be quick to catch your fancy. Fifteen panels, showing new finishes such as Danube Blue, Fall Sere, Twilight Gray, Sunset Sable and Meadow Tawn will be a revelation to many-even to those well versed in floor finishing.

Dealers should find "Beautiful Floors" a valuable oak flooring sales stimulant. Architects, contractors and interior decorators rvill see that it contains many new, prac- tical and most acceptable ideas as well as being a refiable

orro HARrwrc +?ff"xfi$FcoAsr LUMBER

Longview, Wn., January 4.-Otto Hartwig, a paint expert and a practical painter of many years experience, has been added to the staff of the West Coast Lumber Bureau. For a number of years, Mr. Hartwig was president of the Oregon Federation of Labor. At the time of joining the Bureau he was serving the painters' union of Portland in an advisory capacity, giving his attention to paint problems.

Mr. Hartwig is now in Portland, where he is acting as paint advisor in the painting of the West Coast woods model home being constructed by a local building firm under the auspices of the Oregonian and the Bureau. Later he will represent the Bureau before groups of painters in various parts of the country, telling them how to obtain the best results in painting West Coast woods.

Painting practices and paint formulae developed for other species of woods and accepted as standard sometimes do not give the expected results when used on West Coast woods, according to the Bureau. As West Coast woods are being used more and more in regions where a few years ago they were almost unknown, the Bureau has engaged this paint expert to acquaint painters with mixturei ind painting methods which may be used with success on these woods. When the proper methods are used in painting the four major West Coast woods-Douglas fii, Wesi Coast hemlock, Western red cedar and Sitka spruce--{x- cellent results are easilv obtainable.

floor manual. To the home owner it will be a revelation and a book he-and particularly she-will rvant to keep.

The price of "Beautiful Floors" is 75 cents a copy, r,vith a special price for quantity orders. It can be obtained through local lumber dealers.