LUMBERMERCHANT How Lumber Looks

The deadlock in the Pacific Coast longshoremen's strike which started on May l0 still exists as we go to press. Conferences between Federal meditators, employers and workers' representatives are still being held at San Francisco. Rqrorts indicate that a settlement will be reached soon.

The strike has practically tied up the lumber cargo movement on the Pacific Coast. No lumber arrived at Loc Angeles harbor during the week ended, May 26. However, 78 ships arrived at this port for the week as compared to ll7 vessels the previoue week-these ship arrivals were divided as follows: passenger ships 25, general catgo 4O, and tankers 13. Other Pacific Coast ports are practicdly closed to shipping.

Many Fir tidewater mills are repomed down due to the etrike which has reduced productiono and the Fir output will be further curtailed when- the new cutting schedule if ZO1/z hours per week for the month of June goes into efiect on June 1.

The Vest Coast Lumberments Association reports that lumber production, otders and shipments all decreased setiously in the week ending May 19, when compared with the week of I&.|.ay 12. As the most severe losses in both orders and shipments were in the domestic cargo and export trades, the loss in order placement and shipments is attributed by lumbermen mocdy to the longshorements strike. Mills closed by the strike are among the largest in the area and some of those are known to be refusing to book orders which call for shipment at any arLy date, due to the uncertainties of the waterfront situation. Operating mills are also understood to be hesitant about accepting forrvard commitmenfs whear water shipment is part of the contract. As the bulk of the lumber sold in the Douglas fir region leaves the arca by water, the effect of the strike on production, orders and'shipments, if the present tie-up is continued, is expected to be progressively setious.

Since the above date information has come to the Association of many more mills closing down because of the strike. On May 24 but two mills were olrerating in Grays Harbor and three in Tacoma. If the mill shutdowns continue for a short period, loggirg camps wilt of necessity be closed also. The Association has no means by which to determine exacdy the number of men thrown orit of employment by the efrects of the longshorecrents strike but to date the number is probably in excess of 5(X)O.

New business reported to the Association for the week ended May 19 was 74r7E5rO25 f.eet as against a production of 84r840r742 feet, and shipmeno "t*UO,3tOin8O feet.

The Vestem Pine Assqciation reported new business by 142 mills for tlre week ended lll'ay 17 as 79,489,0O0 f.et, shipments 52r0l2rffiO feet, and production 62rO63,O00 f.eet. Orders wete

28 per cent above production and,52.8 per cent above ship. ments. Shipments were 16.1 below production.

The California Redwood Association reported production for the week ended lfilay 12 from 17 mills-as 7r11-9,fl)0 feet, shipments 612301000 feet, and new business 5r1O7r(XX) feet. Orders on hand at the end* of the week were 32r7O4rOOO Leet.

526 hardwood mills for the week ended May 12 gave new business as 23rl58r000 feet, or 11 per cent below productlotr, and shipments as 25,9171000 feet, or 1 per cent belorv produc- tion. Production was 26rlo91000 feet.

L. M. Simpson Appointed VicePresident and General Manager of Pioneer-Flintkote Co.

Pioneer-Flintkote Company announces the appointment of Mr. L. M. Simpson as vice-president and general manager. Mr. Simpson has been engaged for many years in national marketing and sales problems and brings to Pioneer-Flintkote the experience gained by intimate study and knowledge, not only of marketing but also of manufacturing, research and development.

No other changes have been made in the Pioneer-Flintkote organization and under Mr. Simpson's guidance it is planned to continue the long established progressive programs that have kept Pioneer-Flintkote so solidly before the trade in the Western states.

T. B. LAWRENCE RETURNS FROM NORTHWEST TRIP

T. B. Larvrence, Lawrence-Philips Lumber Co., Los Angeles, has returned from a three weeks' trip in the Northwest calling on the mills. He visited Bandon, Marshfield, Reedsport, Portland, Olympia and the Grays Harbor district.

BACK FROM SO. CALIFORNIA TRIP

Henry M. Hink, sales manager of Dolbeer & Carson Lumber Co., was back at his desk May 2I from a week's business trip to Los Angeles and San Diego.