Random Editorial Ramblings

By Jack Dionne

They say that "I told you so" is bad manners, but perhaps we may be forgiven for reminding you that since the first issue of this journal in 1928 we have been telling you in every issue that this is going to be a big lumber year, that lumb'er is going up, that there is dynamite waiting to be touched off, etc. And'now it's here. So you'Il pardon us if we chortle just a bit. And rvhen we remember the many kinds of fools we have been called by very good friends for our "foolish optimism", we chortle the louder.

It's about time now for some of our competitor lumber journals to begin predicting this situation.

And now we'll tell you something else. This thing hasn't started good yet. The market will be stronger and higher the first of August than it is now. And it's going to be good all through the year. That's as far as our guess goes right now.

The Philippine Mahogany interests will appeal their.case to the Supreme Court of the United States. Splendid ! "We have not yet begun to fight", will be their slogan. The big men in the Philippine business have the courage of their convictions, and they are honest in their cliims in this matter. They do NOT believe that there is or ever has been any public interest at stake. They do NOT believe that the public is being injured in any way. They DO believe that this is strictly a commercial fight, and they propose to go all the way through with it. They believe that interference with honorable trade practices is unjust. They agree with Judge Swan of the United States Circuit Court of Appeals that "interference with such commercial usage does not seem justift?t"j'

And "California Pine" is going to be stoutly defended, from all evidence. The California White and Sugar Pine Association passed punchful reselutions against dropping the name "California White Pine" from the rostef of American woods, and asks that opinion be reserved until the matter is settled in the courts. * *

"Kaleidoscopic" is the only known word that fully describes the changes that pass over the face of this lumber industry of ours. It reminds rne of the way a chameleon changes color, so almost instantaneous is the operation. A few weeks ago the mills of the Northwest were crying for orders at any price. Today they are hiding out from the multitude of anxious would-be buyers. When the buyer corners a mill man, he (the mill man) tells him how little he can have, and how much it is going to cost. Truly, this is a marvelous industry.

Retail lumber prices will never again go back to the low level that has prevailed in Southern California for the past year, in Los Angeles particularly. Lumber has been delivered on the job for a long time for less money than it is actually worth at the mills up north. It will never go back there again. "Them days are gone forever." Tell your trade that, because it's true, and they should know it.

In the May issue of "The United States Banker," \l[/. M. Ritter, of Chicago, well known hardwood manufacturer and merchant, presents a well written article on "Lumber and the Bankers." He emphasizes the point that lumber is an industry here to stay, warranting continued banker interest. Not much need to worry about that. "Interest" is certainly mutual between these two parties.

And you, Mr. Lumber Dealer ! Are you making it your business to see that every home owner and building user in YOUR sales district enjoys the benefit of your IDEAS and your SUGGESTIONS and yotrr MATERIALS for modernizing and improving those buildings this summer? Are you bringing to their attention all the lovely things that YOU can do for THEM. Or are you still sitting tight and waiting for business "to develop," for your contractor friends to bring in something? If you are, don't kid yourself ! Youle not a merchant! You're still a wood yard man!

You willtead in the news columns that Robert H. Downman is dead. And when you do, place the notation in your consciousness that there has passed away one of the most powerful, one of the most useful, one of the most forceful, and one of the most successful individuals that ever manufactured lumber, in this or any other country. He died one of the wealthiest lumbermen in America. But it was not his wealth that made Bob Downman an outstanding man in the industry he loved. It was his vision, his decision, the crushing force with which he drowned opposition to what he thought was right-his unusual organization mindedness. He chose Cypress as his pet lumber species. And he was the pivotal figure that created the Cypress Association, organized the Cypress advertising campaign, and carried it forrvard to a wonderful termination. And the ridriter will never forget the dominating figure of that splendid man, when opposition arose in Cypress ranks to the Cypress program. With sledgehammer blows, and ponderous fist thrust out, he drove home his points, always to win. Pray God that more men of the Bob Downman type come to this lumber industry of ours.

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