Random Editorial Ramblin$s

By Jack Dionne

Momentous things have happened recently in the matter of technical and trade lumber names. Manufacturers of "true white pine" in Minnesota and adjacent territory complained to the Federal Trade Commission that Western White pine was being advertised and sold as White Pine' and asked that this be stopped by Federal ordetr. The National Lumber Manufacturers' Association in meeting at Washington decided by unanimous vote to discontinue use of the term "California White Pine" and substitute Ponderosa. And on the heels of those things the lJnited States Circuit Court of Appeals in New York upholds the decision of th"e Federal Trade Cornmission forbidding ttre use of the name "Mahogany" when applied to Philippine hardwoods. One of the judges says that he "reluctantly concurs" in the decision, feeling that "intcrference with such commercial usage does not seem justifiable."

Let us all join together in thanks ! Not in five years have conditions in and surrounding the lumber business in California been as r:nquestionably and undeniably promising as they are today. Every man is up on his toes and snifEng the wind to see what is going to happen. The wholesale lumber business is wonderfully improved. The price is up, lumber is in active DEMAND in all directions, and everywhere in the air is the feeling that th'e long dol' drums are past, and that things are only just beginning to pop in earnBst. And that is my frank opinion. I have been sitting in an observer's seat for twenty odd years watching the antics of the lumber market, and there is one thing that I have always observed, that convinces me it is Providential. \itlhenever the lumber situation gets so bad that it just carl't get any worse' and is becoming not less than tragic, sornething always happend to save it. It's been that way for several years' and it's time for the tide to turn. That it HAS turned, is my firm belief.

Things have been just about as bad in the lumber business of the Pacific Northwest as they could possibly be. It is doubtful if the industry as a whole could have weathered another awful year like 1927- They have been giving their lumber away, and this condition has affected every department of the lumber industry. After such a situation, it seems reasonable that now that things are turning upward, there will be common sense enough in the North to keep down production, and give the industry a chance to crawl up out of the mud. If they don't do it NOW, then there is no hope for them. Alt they have to do the remainder of this vear is to keep that old Satan of rush productiori back of them, and they will have a big year, they will make some money for the first time in years, and give the rest of the industry a chance to make t;-u.

It's truly amazing how contagious optimism is. A month ago lumber sellers in California were begging the trade to buy, at ridiculously low prices, and the trade kept its fingers crossed, and bought only for actual needs. The price jumps a dollar, then another dollar, and Lo and Behold ! From every direction they come rushing to buy lumber. It always has been and it always will be that way, not only in California but everywhere else where lumber is customarily bought and sold. And it helps the dealers also, for immediately those with weak price backs began sticking close to lists, knowing not what replacement is going to cost, aqd fearing to cut prices on stuff that may have to be replaced at rates higher than their selling price.

Not only are things better in the lumber business, but they are greatly improved in the sash, door, and millwork business, The volume is greater than it was last year at this time, and the price is better. And this milling industry also needed some optimism and needed it badly, for truly it has been a weak sister for the past couple of years, so far as getting a price and making a profit is concerned. *{3*

The fact is, that when lumber is cheap, prices are demoralized, competition is bitter, and ethics are slackened in every department of the building industry. When things pick up, these conditions begin to disappear. A market that brings a profit to the mill and to the wholesaler, brings known quantities into the industry, eliminates chaos, and gives everyone a chance to make a living.

THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR 1928 SHOULD BE MARKED BY ACCUMULATING PROSPERTY AND IMPROVED CONDITIONS IN THE ENTIRE LUMBER INDUSTRY OF THE PACIFIC COAST.'

A visitor said to me the other day: "I just made the drive to San Diego and return, and the entire route is laid out in town lots and subdivisions. Where are the peoplg coming from to fill all that territory?" That's easily answered- In the United States there are probably 120,000'000 people, and 99/o of them want to live in California. A smaller but excellent percentage of them ARE GOING TO DO SO. And besides, we have the rest of the world with its billion plus of people, to draw from. Don't waste time worrying about where the people are coming from. They ARE coming, in a tide that will not cease for at least a generation. There is going to be a solid civilization from Santa Monica to San Diego. In ten or fifteen more years people will tive solidly along the ocean that entire dista4ce. Millions of people are going to settle in that territory, who are not there yet. This will be the greatest buying district on earth, next to New York. Don't copper any bets on California. Bet her to win. Stick to the big shour, and believe. Get ready to sell building materials in constantly increasing guantities for years to come. Occas' ional flat spots will only accentuate the high spots that follow.

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