How Lumber Looks

A decidedly more optimistic tone has crept into the minds and conversation of the lumbermen of the state, induced by a number of recent happenings, all pointing to better market conditions.

The cwtailment at the Fir mills is now genera! and a prominent Portland lumberman is quoted as raying that the outlook is very bright, from the mill standpoint.

An analysis made by Carl Crow, of Portland, shows that out or fifty-eight mills in Oregon, twenty-seven are on a five-day schedule, but fifteen are working six days, ud the balance are either down or are working h"lf time or Iess.

Of one hundred and twenty-one Washington mills, twenty-seven are working six days, seventy-nine have cut to five, and the balance are working less.

A telegram from San Francisco, the morning of the 27th, said: "The Douglas Fir mills are holding firm, market is stronger than last week and the demand continues about tbe same. Good volume of inquiries reported. The Redwood prices are firm with the Northern California demand fair and not so active in the south. .A,ll indications are for early improvement. California Pine demand continues satisfactory.t'

The docks at San Pedro have been cleaned out of about thirty per cent of the stock that was piled up, unsold, two weeks ago.' February will be the lowest month for shipments into Southern California, for some time. To the night of the 27th less than ninety million feet had been reported, on sixty-five carriers.

The building permits at Los Angeles for February will top ten million dollars.

Buying in Sduthern California has been no more active in the last two weeks than it has been since the first of the year. Prices fell off sornewhat just after the fifteenth of last month, but are tending the other way now.

The Fir mills in their last report to the West CoaEt Lumbermen's Association, show a week's cut of 95 million feet and sales of 93 million. Their unfilled rail orders total five thousand cars.

PORTLAND, FEB. 25 (Telegram)

R. B. Allen, Secretary of West Coast Lumbermen's Association, states that the West Coast mills manufactured eight and one-half billion feet in 1924 and sold it at an average net loss of forty-five cents per thousand feet.

C. '\ry'. Pinkerton Makes Appeal on State Bills

C. W. Pinkerton, President of the State Retail Lumber_ men's Association, and very active in the u,ork that is being dnne b-y lht retailers o{ the state, for ana aga;nsi some of the legislation that has been proposed at Sacra_ mento, communicated u'ith "The Californii Lumber Merchant" on last Fridav. as follorvs: "Gentlemen:

"Assembly Bill No. 581 and Senate Bill No. 643. are practically duplicate bills, designed to repeal the teeth of !!9 present Mechanics Lien Law, while Assembly Bill No. 585 and Senate Bill No. 642 are an attempt to add nerv sections to the present law, and are so indefinite and am_ biguous in n'ording as to make them almost nonunderstandable.

"\AIe have been informed that these bills are backed by the Sta.te Highway Commission, and are aimed particularly at public work.

"We appeal to the lumbermen of the state to communicate.with their Representatives, urging support in prevent- tng the passing of these bills.

"C. \M. Pinkerton."