Lumber Stocks Show Small Calilornia Builders Supply Co.

Lncrease

Washington, D. C., May 18.-The Department of Commerce today released a report of the Special Lumber Survey Committee, of the Timber Conservation Board, on lumber stocks and anticipated consumption for the second quarter of the current year, which asserts that in the first six months of the Lumber Code there was no net "national progress toward balancing production with consumption."

While, the report says, consumption has increased, especially as compared with the low point of early 1933, production has moved forward at a still faster pace. Present stocks, of almost 8 billion feet are 38O million feet larger than on July 1, 1933.

Production during the first quarter of 1934 is placed at approximately 8 per cent above shipments, but orders booked during the same period were 3 per cent greater than production.

Since the Committee issued its immediately preceding quarterly report the lumber price index has declined slightly. In December the Bureau of Labor Statistics' lumber index stood at 88. In March it was 86.4-lower than any other major building material; and on a level with the allmaterial average. In considering present lumber prices, the public is reminded of the devastating depths to which prices fell in 1931, 1932 and the first part of 1933. The onus for the unbalanced relation of production and sales is placed on low consumption rather than on excessive production. Wider markets are needed.

Lumber market prospects are stated by the Committee to depend largely on the outcome of home building and modernization plans. The plan proposed by President Roosevelt to Congress on May 14 is described as promising of stimulation of both modernization and new building. Total lumber consumption for the second quarter of 1934 is estimated at 4,693,00O,000 feet as compared with 3,979,000,000 in the first quarter of 1934, with 6,479,0ffi,000 feet in the first half of 1933 and a total estimated output for 1933 of 14,672,ffi4,000 f.eet.

Scores Success as Actor

J. Leslie Steffensen is gaining considerable prominence as an actor and scored another hit when he played the part of Uncle Tom in Uncle Tom's Cabin which was presented by the Santa Ana Community Players at the Temple Theater, Santa Ana, Calif., May 8, 9 and 10. He has taken part in several other of the Players' productions. The opening performance was the occasion of a gala premiere. Many of the women and men attending were attired in costumes representative of that era and arrived at the theater in surries and other conveyances drawn by horses. As they stepped from their carriages and entered the theater they were presented over the loud speakers to the large crowd congregated before the entrance.

Mr. Steffensen is the son of E. Steffensen, secretary of the Orange County Lumbermen's Club, and assists his father at the Association's office.

Adds Plywood Line

California Builders Supply Co., well known Oakland wholesale distributors of sash, doors and millwork, recently became jobbers for -BIG TIMBER- plywood and wallboard, and are carrying a complete stock of all sizes of this line of panels and wallboard.

This firm was established in 1925, and conducts an exclusively wholesale business. Their warehouse is located at 501 29th Avenue, Oakland. Kenneth J. Shipp is president, and Arthur D. Williamson is vice president.

Annual Dinncr June 5

The evening of June 5 a dinner and reception in honor of the architects of Southern California will be held in the Architects Building Material Exhibit, Fifth and Figueroa streets, Los Angeles.

Invitations have been mailed to a list of six hundred architects, and the building material .manufacturers will act as hosts for the occasion. Among the guests of honor will be Mr. George McDougall, State Architect from Sacramento.

John P. Hemphill

John P. Hemphill, general manager, Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Co., Madera, was found dead at his home in Fresno,May|2.Hesufferedanervousbreakdown.

Mr. Hemphill was born in San Francisco 5O years ago. IIe was formerly general manager of the Sugar Pine Lumber Co., Pinedale, and was one of the best known men in the California Pine industry. He is survived by his widow, two daughters, Jean and Barbara, and a son, John.

Van Nuys Yard Adds Display Room

The Cronin Lumber Co., Van Nuys, Calif., are adding a building display room to their plant. Construction is now well under way and will be ready for occupancy soon. Jim Cronin, well known Southern California retailer, is owner and manager of the Cronin Lumber Co.

W. W. McCOOMB RETURNS FROM EASTERN TRIP

W. W. McCoomb, Pacific Door & Sash Co., Los Angeles, is back at his desk following a two weeks' birsiness trip to Chicago and New York.

LARUE WOODSON VISITS L. A.

Larue Woodson, in charge of sales for Wheeler Osgood Sales Corporation, Tacoma, Wash., in California, Arizona ind Nevada, recently spent a few days in Los Angeles.

JIM PRENTTCE Vrsrrs SAN FRANCTSCO

J. H. (lim) Prentice of Los Angeles, Southern California manager for the Bloedel-Donovan Lumber Mills of Bellingham, Wash., was a recent San Francisco visitor q'here he spent a few days on company business.