Lumber Merchants Spring Meeting Big Success

The Spring Meeting of the Lumber .Merchants Association of Northern California, held at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, March 18, was a decided success from every poin'r of view.

Attendance at the luncheon and the afternoon session numbered 200, and 350 sat dou'n to dinner in the evening. The big attraction in the evening was the speech of Fulton Lewis, Jr., o{ Radio Station WOL, Washington, D. C., on the subject "Inside of Washington, D.C." Many ladies were present at the dihner, and the hearty applause given the speaker indicated that everybody had a very pleasant and interesting evening.

Ray Clotfelter, W. R. Spalding Lumber Co., Visalia, president of the Association, presided at both sessions and turned the meetings over to Charles Shepdrd, Friend & Terry Lumber Co.,'Sacramento, who did a capable job as master of ceremonies.

James Musatti, manager of the California State Chamber of Commerce, made the first a.ddress of the afternoon. He spoke on "The Constitution," and it can be said that this was the best talk most of those present ever heard on this subject. The speaker has for many years made a deep study of this great document.

S. V. Fullaway, secretary-nianager of the Western Pine Association, Portland, talked on "Civilian Lumber Supply For 1944." With an estimated production this year. of 33 billion feet, boxing and crating needs estimated at 16 b;l- lion feet, or about half of the production, and heavy demands for rvar, the speaker said indications are there will be less lumber for civilian use.

Mr. Fullalvay told of the trade promotion, research, an-d forest conservation work being carried on by his Association.

D. C. McGinness, regional director, Federal Housing Administration, made an interesting address on "The FHA After The War." In the course of his talk he said it was ,his personal opinion that there will be no relaxation on the restrictions on building materials until the'coming invasion of Western Europe is an accomplished success.

R. T. Titus, director of trade extension, West Coast Lumbermen's Association, Seattle, assdred the retail lumber dealers that the lumber manu{acturers of the Pacific Northwest are thinking about the days ahead after the war. Part of this planning is the effort they are making in assisting the dealers in the establishment of Home Planning Institutes. He explained the plan, which was originally put. into -operation in Portland.' and said that Institutes have been established in 15 other districts. several of which are in Southern California.

Plcrns Completbd For Wood Chemiccrl Co.

Architects & Engineers Smith, Herschman & Grylls, Inc., Detroit, Mich. have completed ptans and will recommend to the lVar Production Board the use of a 3o-acre -tract of land in Springfield, Ore., as the site of the proposed $3,600,000 plant, consisting of 19 buildings, of th.e Willamette Valley Wood Distillation Co. (firm name to be changed to Wood Chemical Co.), Chas. A. Snellstrom, president, and Orville Miller, vice-president. The proposed plant will produce alcohol, rubber, plastics, yeast proteins for feeds and other by-products from waste wood. A railroad siding 1,500 feet in length will run through the center of the building plot.

12th Annual Reveillc to Be Held in Oakland April 28

The 12th Annual Reveille of Northern and Central California lumbermen, to be hekl in the Victory Bowl, Hotel Leamington, Oakland, on Friday evening, April 28, is expected to draw a large attendance.

The various committees have been appointed and are working to make this annual get-together meeting an enjoyable afrair.

The main purpose of the Reveille is to raise money for a worthy cause in connection with the war.

George clavberg

George clayberg is general chairrnan. Lewis A. Godard is assistant general chairman, and G. W. Sechrist is secretary-treasurer.

The chairmen of the various committees are the following: Entertainment Leo Hulett; Finance-Tom Hogan III; Printing Tickets and Programs-Tom Jacobsen ; Ticket Sales--Everett Lewis; Banquet-John Helm ; Pub. licity-Frank Brown; Reception-Wm. Chatham, Jr., ancl Arlie Charter.

The American Eagle

We have received a copy of the first issue of The American Eagle, a very interesting magazine published for and by the American Box Corypany. Each division of the Company has appointed one person in their office to act as correspondent of the magazine. The paper is printed at Stockton, Calif.

This issue carries several interesting articles, including an illustrated write-up of the Blagen Lumber Co. at White Pines, and Toyon, Calif., which was presented the Army\avy "E" au'ard on March 22 ior outstanding lumber production in 1943; a thumbnail sketch of Ronald Brady, manager of the operations at Toyon, Calif., for the Calaveras Forest Products Corporation; and under appropriate heads such as "Sawmill Sawdust," "Factory Shavings," "Events," and "Sales Talk," there are a number of personal items. The issue is well illustrated with a number-of pictures of employees of the com.pany.

Los Angeles Hoo-Hoo Meeting

Chief McKenna of the U. S. Navy was the speaker at the luncheon meeting of the Los Angeles Hoo-Hso Club at the University Club, Los.Angeles, on March 16.

Roy Stanton presided at the meeting, and Bob Osgood of the Program Committee introduced the speaker. Vicegerent Snark Dee Esslev announced that a dinner and concatenation will be held in April, There was a good attendance and over sixtv were Dresent.

R. E. lrwin, \(/eyerha€ussr Pine Executive, Just Wonderin' Now a Resident of Los Angelcs

R. E. Irwin, who has been associated with the Weyerhaeuser interests for nearly 50 years, retired recently and is now making his home in Los Angeles. He is widely known throughout lumber circles and is regarded as one of the best posted Pine men in the industry.

Mr. Irwin. familiarly known as "Jack" has had an interesting, colorful career which brought him in contact with practically every phase of lumber production and distribution. He began as a water boy in Wisconsin where he ran the gamut of jobs in the woods and sawmill. Later he held important positions in Minnesota operations before he came West with C. A. Smith to become manager of the mill as Coos Bay in 1912, a position which he held until he became sales manager of the Boise-Payette Lumber Company.

When the Weyerhaeusers rvere modernizing the big White Pine mill at Potlatch, Idaho, Mr. Irwin was made assistant to the general manager, A. W. Laird. When Mr. Laird passed away Mr. Irwin became general manager. During his regime many improvements were made in the mill in order to reduce production costs and irnprove the product. Additions included dry kilns, stackers and unstackers, dry sorter, remanufacturing plant, box factory, dry sheds. It rn'as said that he could operate anv machine in mill or rvoods and that his knowledge of Pine grading was seldom questioned.

Mr. Irwin's Pine experience took him to the Atlantic Coast in 1932 where he *'as put in charge of Pine sales for Weyerhaeuser's Eastern Distributing Yards. He maintained headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, up to the time of his recent retirement.

I wonder, little Jack and Jill, When one sets out to climb a hill, If climbing upward from the town Is easier than coming down. And when one stands upon the crest, Shou.ld he stay there, content'to rest, Or should he go down there and then To mingle with his fellow men?

I wonder at opinions now, And by what means we get them, And when we harvest quite a few, Why we so soon forget them. I wonder if the ones I hold Are worth the space they fill, Or in the minds of wiser folk Are simply rated nil.

I wonder how lo.ng, long ago, In neolithic days, The puny races of mankind Pursued their devious ways. They surely knew both fear and wantHow other could it be, When grotesque monsters stalked the land And swam the ancient sea.

I wonder if the lust for power May lie inherent in us all, If sometimes even you and I Hear its intriguine siren call And think we hear far voices too, Engaged in animated talk, Which bids us neither sit nor stand But up and walk.

A.

Mr. Irwin made a host of friends during his 55 yeprs in the lumber industry. His rugged health, genial disposition and sense of humor never failed him. He is a golf enthusiast and played in the low.S0s for years. His friends can reach him through the Los Angeles office of the Weyerhaeuser Sales Company where he will maintain contacts. After more than half a century in lumbering Mr, Irwin finds it necessary to keep in touch with what is going on,