THE CALIFOR}-IIA LUMBERMERCHANT

W. T. BTACK Advertising Mcnogier

How lrumber Lrooks

Portland, Ore., April l7-March lumber production in the Douglas fir region continued at a high level, breaking all records during the past twenty-four months, according to H. V. Simpson, executive vice president of the West Coas{ Lumbermen's Association.

Weekly output averaged 137,976,000 board feet during March. This record production from West Coast sawmills exceeds February output of 132,183,000 board feet, Mr. Simpson said, and climaxes a steady increase each month since the relaxation of government controls last year.

"We are keeping the pledge we made in December," Mr. Simpson said, "to do our full share to supply large quantities of lumber for the nation's housing program. Baring unforseen obstacles the West Coast region will produce seven billion board f.eet in 1947. No new home will be held up for lack of framing lumber and other items we supply."

Shipments durilrg N{arch averaged 131,346,000 board feet weekly, Simpson said. "Lumber is getting into the channels of trade. Consumers today are able to buy quality Douglas fir lumber at almost every retail yard in our traditional markets."

Sales for all-purpose West Coast lumber reached a new post-war high in March averaging 170,535,000 board feet r,r'eekly. Production was 98.9/o of. 1942-1946 averages. Weekly averages for February were: production,132,183,000; orders 153,241,000 and shipments 136,881,000.

Cumulation produ,ction for the first 13 weeks ol 1947 total 1,665,718,000 board feet. Orders break down as follows: rail, 1,180,432,000; domestic carg'o, 253,719,000; export 366,97O,000; local 155,141,000. Unfilled orders stood at 684,928,000 at the end of March and gross stocks at 409,581.000.

The Western Pine Association for the week ended April 12, 102 mills reporting, gave orders as 49,481,000 feet, shipments 62,625,000 feet, and production 53,850,000 feet. Orders on hand at the end of the week totaled 178,382,000 feet.

The Southern Pine Association for the week ended April 5, 82 units (107 mills) reporting, gave orders as 19,O20,000 feet, shipments 16,278,000 feet, and production 78,457,000 feet. Orders on hand at the end of the week totaled 74,212,000 teet.

The West Coast , Lumbermen's Association for the rveek ended April 12, 130 mills reporting, gave orders as 105,730,000 feet, shipments 82,583,000 feet, and production 84,595,000 feet. Unfilled orders at the end of the week totaled 579,791,N0 feet.

For the week ended April 5, 130 mills reporting, gave orders as 8+,177,000 feet, shipments 88,038,000 feet, and production 88,705,000 feet. Unfilled orders at the end of the rveek totaled 561.863.000 feet.