Federal Government Building Program

Washington, Feb. 15.-According to American Forest Products Industries, the federal government building program now covers a total of $493,000,000 out ofa total authorization of $700,000,000.

The projects that have been completed total $98,000,000 and 281 different buildings. Under contract are 419 projects representing expenditurbs of $330,000,000. In addition, sites have been purchased in the District of Columbia aggregating $28,000,000 and sites have been selected elsewhere and various degrees of pfogress have been made toward the consummation ol 72 projects at a ,cost of $21,000,000. In addition some progress has been made toward the realization of approximately 50 projects, totalling about $16,000,000.

Minnesota A \(/hite Pine State

Washington, Feb. 17.-Minnesota was the leading state in white pine production from 1904 to 1927. Since 1927 Minnesota has been second to Idaho in white pine production and first in cottonwood production, according to the state's survey of the industry being made by the National Lumber Manufacturers Association.

Lumber production was at its peak in Minnesota in 1899 when 404 mills produced 2,342,338,000 feet, ranking the state third in lumber output, following Wisconsin and I\{ichigan. Production in 1929 was 357,180,000 feet reported by 207 mills; in 1930, 222,389,000 feet, the output of 198 mills, or about 1O per cent of the 1899 production.

Three mills in Minnesota in 1930, each cutting more than 25,000,000 feet, produced 57 per cent of the total output of the state. Of the 1930 production, 65 per cent was white pine and 28 per cent, cottonwood.

Weights l0 to 20 lbs.

Priced at 1100 and up.

Lumber consumption in Minnesota in 1930 is given by the Forest Service as 526,343,N0 feet, or 205 feet per capita. This compares with 190 feet for the country as a whole and 215 f.eet in Wisconsin. Of Minnesota's consumption in 1930, 18 per cent was derived within the state and 76 per cent came from other states. Six per cent was imported from Canada. Nearly 30 per cent of Minnesota's lumber production is dsed at home; about 50 per cent is shipped to Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio.

The lumber and timber industry ranked fourth of all manufacturing industries in Minnesota in 1929 in number of wage-earners. These numbered 4,4t2 and received wages of. $4,744,7O3. Value of products of the industry was $14,744,357.. Boxes and crates, planing mill production, and sash, doors and millwork are important wood-consuming industries in the state.

An unusually large proportion, or more than 4O per cent, of Minnesota's lumber is sold by the mills direct to retailers, including retail yards owned by manufacturers. From 15 to 2O per cent is sold through wholesalers and commission houses and 25 per cent direct to manufacturers of wood-consuming plants. Other sales made by the mills are local or interplant transfers.