Comm etce Department Comments on Forty-Year Low in American Lumber Exports

Washington, April ZZ.-Computations based on recent Department of Commerce statistics indicate that American lumber exports dropped oft ZlTo from 1939 during 19,10; and that the year ended with approximately 13lo less move_ ment of lumber in export than at the lowest level of the depression period in 1932.

An export trade which ordinarily accounted for between 8/o and. l07o of. total domestic production, amounted to only 3.2/o of that production in 19,1O. The Department has also pointed out that this export trade is often a controlling factor in the industry,s profit or loss position.

The Department says:

"The export trade is important in maintaining a healthy condition in the lumber industry. Many grades and sizes are produced in excess of domestic requirements, yet are in demand in foreign lands. In the South and on the pacific Coast the very location of the industry makes it desirable, if not essential that both foreign and domestic business is available for profitable operation and utilization.

"No other country possesses forest resources so rich in variety of valuable species, both hardwoods and softwoods, suitable for so many construction and industrial purposes. At the same time the f'orests of the United States offer unlimited possibilities for sustained yield production providing adequate markets exist to make suitable forestry management profitable."

Other export industries have been able during the war to make considerable increases in their sales to Latin America. However, as this review states, .,it has been difficult if not impossible for the American lumber export industry to supplant markets closed as a result of the European War, and the dwindling of purchases in the Orient, in other parts of the world. In Latin America most countries have plentiful native timber resources which can be used in large measure to meet local demand except for high grade construction lumber.

The exports to Latin America include U. S. Government purchases for the Canal Zone, and in some other markets include imports by American enterprises.

Pointing to the 4Gyear low point in lumber export in 194O, the Department also mentions that the estimated lumber production in the United States last year was Z7/o under 79D, but that export was 72/o under l9D.

Mentioning that British and Australian lumber purchases are now made chiefly in Canada because of Empire preference; the Canadian wartime restriction on imports of hardwoods and the effort to sell more lumber f,or dollar exchange; the Department summarizes the trend of exports-imports :

"fn the decade ended with 1930 United States lumber and log exports were from three to four times larger in quantity and value than imports of equivalent materials. In more recent years, however, particularly in 1938, 1939, and 194O, imports have been almost equal to exports; in fact, for periods (in certain months) softwood lumber imports have exceeded our exports of such products."

The export of lumber ln I94O was 853 million feet. This is the latest year's export record for the American industry, which for several years has been a target for foreign tariff preferences and discriminations and the victim of foreign shipping subsidies, of which the Department of Commerce says:

"Since about 1870 the United States has been the largest lumber-producing country in the world, and for many years previous to 1930 was the major lumber exporting nation. This has been a logical development for no other country possesses such large, commercially accessible forest areas located in relative proximity to tidewater."

Cornelius J. Sheehan

Cornelius Joseph Sheehan, {'ormer operator of the Sheehan-Ballard Planing Mill, Berkeley, passed away in Oakland on April 18.

He was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and is survived by a brother, Thomas. of Pasadena.

Record Crowd

Predicted for 9th Annual Reveille May 2

lohn J. Helm, Choirmgn Entertainment Committee

All arrangements for the 9th Annual Reveille to be held at Hotel Oakland, Oakland, on Friday evening, May 2, have been completed, and indications point to a record attendance.

Dinner will be served at 7:0O p.m. Tickets for the dinner and entertainment are $2.50.

Entertainment chairman John J. Helm announces that there will be 11 acts of first-class vaudeville entertainment, featuring a number of screen and radio personalities, including Armand Girard, rvell-known NBC baritone.

The annual golf tournament will be held on Saturday morning, May 3, at Sequoyah Country Club. This sponsored by the retail lumber dealers of Oakland. Those who wish to compete for the many fine prizes may register with Ross Kinney, chairman of the golf committee, or with one of the committee members, Ed La Franchi, B. E. Bryan or Larue Woodson. Green fee is $2.00, including one free ball.

New Yard At Soquel

Rayburn Hanzlik and Robert Hope have opened a lumber yard at Soquel, which they will operate as the Soquel Lumber Company. The yard is located on the Watsonville highWay near downtown Soquel. Besides lumber, the company will handle a standard line of building hardware and paint. Mr. Hope will manage the yard.

Largest American Trees Will Be Located and Prot ected

San Francisco, April 16If Paul Bunyan, legendary lumberjack of the Northwoods, hears about what's going on in the California forests he may be expected to pay this State a visit.

The American Forestry Association is seeking the interest and cooperation of private land owners, lumbermen, conservation agencies, and outdoor people in recording and protecting the largest specimens of trees throughout the State and Nation.

So rangers of the U. S. Forest Service have volunteered to keep a woodsman's eye open for record breaking tall timber of every species, and also to watch for Paul Bunyan, just in case the old logger should decide to wield his broad axe on the forest monarchs after they are located and recorded.

When the biggest trees of each species have been finally and definitely determined, the American Forestry Association will issue certificates to discoverers and owners. The Assocation is asking that f'ull information and photographs of every giant tree be sent to Association headquarters at 919 Seventeenth St., N. W., Washington, D. C.

Among many famous trees of California which seem assured of honors are an incense cedar, circumference more than 26 feet, on the Shasta National Forest; a juniper of over 31 ,feet circumference near the Carson Pass Highway on the Eldorado National Forest; a coast live oak over 31 feet circumference and estimated to be more than 1000 years old near the former Bouquet Canyon CCC camp on the Angeles National Forest'

The largest known conifer in southern California is a giant sugar pine located in the San Bernardino National Forest and dedicated to Supervisor Joe Elliott.

Another enormous tree is a canyon live oak 70O years of age on the Stanislaus Forest, eight miles east of Tuolumne. Twenty years ago the citizens of Tuolumne County subscribed a fund to have the tree properly cared for by a tree doctor.

Convalescing

Wayne Mullin, Mullin Lumber Company, Los Angeles, is convalescing from an appendectomy at The California Hospital on April 11.