THE SITI-IATION rstill remains unchanged

In the present trccnsition from wor to peoce there qre numerous {qctors which must be tqken into qccount, in crnticipoting deliveries of PALCO Redwood Lumber.

l. Mcrnpower Shortoge: Our men in the service ore returning-but slowly. A greot number wish to cqtch o well deserved rest before coming bqck to work.

2. Rehcbilitqtion of Mill Fcrcilities: Our equipment is receiving muchly needed qttention, which the Ieverish tempo of wqr produciion did not permit.

3. Accumulcting Inventory lor Drying: A portion of our reduced production is being ectrmqrked for drying yord inventory to permit normql shipments next spring.

Although miliicry requirements <rre now clmost completely filled, lhe current situcrlion compcred to the pcst lew months, remains virtuclly unchonged.

Hardboard Industry Prepares For Greatest Peacetime Demands

"The hardboard industry, which reached the greatest production of its history during four years of almost total .conversion to the war effort, has experienced no stoPpage ,of full output during the 'reconversion period,' and is now ,expanding manufacturing facilities to meet even larger .demands for its products in the future," according to M. P. McCullough, president of the Masonite Corporation. Con.tinuing, he states:

"A product which didn't even exist in the post\'"'ar period of World War I, hardboard will be one of the essential materials in the great era of peacetime production and building 'which 1946 will usher in.

"It is apparent, on the basis of the large number of orders 'which have accumulated since before the end of the war .together with trends in former and new markets, that the 'demand for hardboard products from all major channels of ,consumption will be larger in the years ahead than during any previous peacetime year.

"\Mith the ability to continue production without inter.ruption, and with the ending of most government contracts and priorities, the industry has already started the flow of 'its products through former peacetime channels. Because the stocks of wholesalers and dealers have long been depleted by war demands, it will be necessary for some time to allocate supplies in order to insure equitable distribu'tion. The end of. 1946 should find the situation improved.

"War production introduced many new uses for hardboard products, including the application of a new semi.plastic die stock. The die stock was developed early in the war and was first utilized by the aircraft industry. By the .end of the war, nearly ' every aircraft manufacturer in America was using the material for heavy duty stamping .dies, forming dies, stretch forms, router forms, jigs and fixtures with which to form and work the light metal parts for planes. As a result of new knowledge of the material, it is now being used in the automobile, railroad car, electrical, -metal stamping and spinning, leather and a growing list of industries.

"The characteristics and advantages of hardboard prod-ucts established them in the building industry long ago as desirable for many uses in the construction of new homes, in remodeling and repair, on farms and in prefabrication Consequently, the demand for these products in this field for several years to come is expected to be greater than ever before.

"Industry offers even a larger market. The automotive industry, an outstanding single customer, has set three-year production schedules of vast size in which hardboard products lvill be used in the manufacture of new cars, trucks, busses and trailers, and for parts and fixtures.

"The railroad car industry, pressed with demands for new cars and the repairing of old ones, employs hardboard products in manufacturing, finishing and fixtures. Aircraft manufacturers, converting to the production of planes suitable for peacetime use, are continuing to use the industry's semi-plastic die stock which it has found economical and time saving in coping with rapidly changing designs.

"Expanded markets are also seen for uses in the construction and finishing of commercial structures, and in the manufacture of furniture, store fixtures, desk tops, telephone booths, signs, display booths, toys and many other industrial products."

W.C.I.A. Annucl Meeting

The West Coast Lumbermen's Association will hold its annual mbeting at the Multnomah Hotel, Portland, Ore., on January 25. A noon luncheon and a dinner for Association members and their friends are scheduled.

Grcrrrt $2 Brick Increcrse for Western States

An increase of $2 per thousand in manufacturers' f.o.b. plant ceiling prices for clay and shale building brick, both common and face, and an increase of 80 cents per ton for hollow and clay drain tile have been announced by the Office of Price Administration. These increases apply to these products produced in the ten Western states. The higher prices became effective January 2, 1946. (Amendment23 to Order 1, tvIPR 592.)

Los Angreles Hoo-Hoo Meeting [oin. 22

The Los Angeles Hoo-Hoo Club will hold a meeting at the University Club, 614 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, Tuesday noon, January 22. Jack Dionne, publisher of The California Lumber Merchant, will be the speaker. Luncheon will be served at 12:09 p.m. President George Clough will preside.