Lumber Stocks Reduced in Haff Year

Washington, Feb. I5.-Total lumber stocks reached the highest point of the year on August L, 1934, according to a report of the Lumber Survey Committee of the Timber Conservation Board to Secretary of Commerce Roper. This Committee, whose duty it is to make quarterly surveys of lumber demand and supply factors, summarizes the situation as follows:

Lumber stocks have been reduced 680,000,000 feet since August lst last, but there was a net increase on January lst, 1935, as compared with a year ago of about 100,000,000 feet. The West Coas{ region reduced stocks 106,000,000 feet in the last six months of 1934, but its excess over January lst, 1934, is 230,000,000 feet. The Committee believes that a ratio of stocks to annual consumption 35 per cent greater than the ,corresponding ratio in 1929 is desirable. Ac.cordingly, the Committee recommends a further reduction in the lumber sto,cks of the nation. In making such a reduction "due regard is to be had to improvement in the balan,ce of grade and item assortment." It is emphasized, however, that the recommended reductions are aggregates for the indicated region and are not to be construed as meaning surpluses or as implying desirable redu,ctions in specific grades and items, many of which are in distinct shortage.

Relatively Low Lumber prices

Average wholesale prices at the mills for 1934 are given as 84.5 per cent of the 1926 averags-.'an average level relatively lower than any other major building.material reported by the Bureau." The pri.ce index for last December was 81.2 as compared with 88 in De,cember, 1933.

The Committee ,comments that the suspension of minimum prices "has been followed by increased prices in several regions in other items than those of the slow moving surplus."*** "Also, and even more signifi,cant", says the Committee, "these increases in many instances have been followed by increased volume of business.,' The Committee believes that suspension of minimum prices has pla,ced emphasis on the importance of

(a) balan,ce of stocks in relation to shipments;

(b) equalization of production and consumption; and

(c) balanced assortment of marketable grades and items.

The Committee criti,cizes the lumber industry for inadequate participation in the National Housing promotion campaign, although "it should be a large beneficiary of in_ creased public and private activity irr housing, repair, mod_ ernizing and general ,constructi6n.,'*** ,.Well planned re_ search and trade promotion is essential', both at home and abroad.

Production and Consumptio,n

New business at the lumber mills is given as 13 per cent above production in the fourth quarter of 1934, but ,,the final figures of recorded building during 1934 are disap_ pointing. Notwithstanding huge public works the totat construction during the year was only 23 per cent above that of 1923 and rose only to 27 per cent ol l9ZS. Lumber production is pla,ced at 15,22o,ffi0,000 feet, with consumption estimated at about 500,000,000 feet more. The outlook for 1935 is for a fair lumber demand-at least during the first months of the year.

A new feature of the report ,covering retail stocks and prospects reported currently by 1600 retailers_indicates lumber sto,cks at retail yards on January lst as considerably lighter than a year ago. In respect of modernization and repair, 40 per ,ient of the retailers replying predicted much lumber demand in March and April.

The report is supported by statistical tables relating to lumber sto,cks and lumber consumption, estimated consumption of lumber, exports and imports, and retail lumber conditions and prospects.

Deluxe Auto Car Displays Complete Line of Building Materials

The Whiting-Mead Co. of Los Angeles in cooperation with nineteen Pacific Coast building material manufacturers and distributors have a Deluxe Advertising Auto Car now on the road whi,ch carries a complete line of building materials used in modern home building. The exhibit is attracting a great deal of attention and was one of the features at the Los Angeles automobile show. It will be on display at all the leading fairs, exhibits and displays in Southern California during 1935, and a tour of the Southern California counties witl be made, making stops at every town and community possible.

The purpose of the exhibit is to create and stimulate interest in modern home building, and the public is invited to visit the car and inspect the samples of lumber and the various building materials ori display.

Addresses Engineering Groups

A. C. Horner, consulting engineer, N.M.L.A. fepresentative, San Francisco, on his recent trip to the pacific Northwest addressed engineering groups in portland, Seattle, Tacoma and Vancouver, B. C. on the tests of earthquake resistan.ce of wood structures which have been made in California during the past year in connection with the California School Program.

The various groups of engineers exhibited a great deal of interest in the subject owing to the problems created in that area by wind, heavy rain and snows, all of which bring about conditioni comparable to some exten.t to earthquake hazards.

The addresses were made under the direction of Chester J. Hogue of the West Coast Lumbermen,s Association.