THE CALIFOR}-IIA

Strike Situation in Northwest Unchangedrrr

Practically all Fir Carso Mills Still Down Redwood Mills

Vith approximately 401000 workers idle the strikd of the Sawmill & Timber Vorkers union in the Fir region of Oregon and Vashington, started its fourth week May 27, with the situation practically unchanged as regards all major operations.

The Northwest Council of the unions in conference at Long. view May 27 decided, to reduce their demands to 5O cents an hour minimum wage, a 40-hour week, and recognition of the union for collective bargaining.

On instructions of Governor Chas. H. Martin the Oregon State Board of Conciliation opened peace negotiations in Potland May 24, bat the meeting adjourned .rntil M.y 27 owing to the absence of most of the sawmill operators at a meeting in Tacoma.

At this meeting on May 27 three operators of large Portland savrmills told the State Board that they are not negotiating Preparatory to reopening, and will not negotiate, with union leaders. The mills are Inman-Poulsen Lumber Co., Eastern & Vestern Lumber Co., and Clark & Wilson Lumber Co.

The Vest Coast Lumberments Association reported production for the week ended May 18 of. 25,62918O1 feet, and stated that the production is the lowest in the Douglas Fir region for any six-day period in the records of the Association, not excepting the holiday week containing the Fourth of July. It is estimated that the drop in production of 125rOO0rO00 feet for thd first two weeks of the strike had cost the industy about t2rooo,oOo, half of which is loss of wages to labor.

Vestern Pine mills are all still una{fected by the strike, with the exception of one mill in the Spokane district.

Redwood mills are all running with full crews.

FIR.-The same cargo mills were running l|rIay 28 that were running two weeks ago. No others have started up. Average prices are .15.00 to $6.00 higher than before the srike.

No more rail mills have shut down in the last two weeks. Prices have increased somewhat on all items, and a large volume of lumber has moved by raril into California from Villamette Valley mills. B & Better V. G., C Vertical and D Grades of fooring are just about out of the market. There is a great scarcity of lath. The greatest shortages that have developed in the yards up to now are in uppers, shingles and lath.

SHINGLES.-Practically all the Red Cedar shingle mills are downo and advances up to 80 cents a square over pre-strike prices have been paid by dealers for such shipments as they have,been able to get.