OPA Answers a Lot of lmportant Retail Lumber Questions Propounded bv Orrie Hamilton

California retail lumber dealers, struggling with the vital problem of getting lumber for their customers, have been firing questions of all sorts at Orrie Hamilton, SecretaryTreasurer of the Southern California Retail Lumber Association. Those he can answer get quick action. Those he cannot, he turns in to the authorities for enlightenment. A number of tough ones that have had the dealers scratching their heads having accumulated recently, he put them into terse shape and sent them in pronto to Peter A. Stone, Price Executive of the Lumber Branch of OPA in Washington.

Stone's reply was unusually prompt, and arrived in abouL ten days from the time the queries were put in the mail. Since all of these questions and replies are of direct interest to practically all retail lumber dealers, THE CALIFORNIA LUMBER MERCHANT is glad to reprint them for your information, and Mr. Stone made it easy for us by repeating each question and then answering each in its turn. Here they are:

Question 1(a). Where a dealer stocks 4x6 rough greerr lumber, may he base his selling price on prices and estimated average weights in the applicable mill regulation lor the size of rough green 4x6s and add his local surfacing charges as provided in Revised Maximum Price Regulation No. 215, when, after he receives the order, he is required to remanufacture that lumber into 2x6 S4S stock?

Answer 1(a). The end product being a standard size (2x6 S4S) he may not add any milling charges. He must base his price on the f.o.b. mill price and his inbound freight f.or 2x6 in the species and grade and weights listed in the applicable regulation.

Question 1(b). When a dealer purchases rough green clears and he stores that lumber in his yard for seasoning, may he base his price on the applicable mill regulation for the size of lumber he received and the weight of rough green clears and add the local milling charges as provided in Maximum Price Regulation No. 215 when he remanufactures that lumber into casing, base, flooring, finish, etc. ?

Answer (1)b. He must base his price and weights on the end product as listed in the applicable regulation unless the end product is non-standard or larger than boards and dimension. He may add milling charges only where the end product is substandard or larger than boards and dimension or the lumber is worked to special patterns.

Question 1(c). Does the senterice in sub-paragraph (6) of Section 10(a) ". Under any condition, these charges may not be added to produce any item of boards or dimension in standard sizes or sizes reasonably similar thereto, shown in the applicable regulation," apply only to the charges for ripping and resawing?

Answer 1(c). No. This applies to any type of millirig, where the end product is a standard size, pattern, or item.

Question(i). Does the term "boards and dimension" apply only to the common grades ?

Answer (i). No. Applies to any grade where the end product is not larger than the sizes described in Section lo(a) (a) Gi), (2 in. and thinner, 12 in. and narrower and 24 f.t. and shorter).

Question 2(a). What is meant by the term "outgauging" in Section 10(a) under Maximum Milling Charges?

Answer 2(a). Outgauging is the tapering the full length of one or more sides to a bevel as in a bevelled sleeper.

Question 2(b). Under Section 15, are dealers require<l to make out a sales ticket on each and every cash sale, regardless of size and include the name and address of the buyer, etc. ?

Answer 2(b). Yes, except cash sales of $10 or less.

Question 2(c). May a dealer use his March, 1942, "setup" charge when he is required to set-up his sticker or shaper to produce small quantities of special mounted patterns to meet the buyer's specifications ?

Answer 2(c). No. The table in revised Maximum Price Regulation No. 215 sets specific charges for working to special patterns.

Question 2(d). May a dealer use his March, 1942, price for work or service performed by him such as adzing, bandsawing, boring, dadoing, square-but including cutting to exact specified lengths, tapering or diagonal ripping, sanding, scalloping, pressure treating, including Wolmanizing, zinc chloride, creosoting, etc. ?

Answer 2(d). No. Where special specifications, workings or extras are not provided for in the regulation, seller must write to this office for a price as required in Section 25 of Revised Maximum Price Regulation No. 215.

Question 2(e). Where a dealer performs work or services which are not covered by Revised Maximum Price Regulation No. 215 on lumber, the sale of which is controlled thereby, may he apply the rules relative to caslr discounts contained in Section 16(b), (1) which provides that no discount over 2 per cent is considered a cash discount ?

Answer 2(e). Yes. All speeial services are controlled by Revised Maximum Price Regulation No. 215 and cash discount provisions are a part of the regulation.

Question (f). When a dealer purchases rough green clears, may he base his selling price on the applicable mill weight and prices for rough green clears and add his loca! mill and drying charges when he seasons and remanufactures that lumber into casing, base, finish, etc.

Answer (f). Drying and milling fir clears at distribution yards yard must base prices and weights basis end product sold as listed Maximum Price Regulation 26 unless end product is nonstandard or larger than dimension as defined in revised Maximum Price Regulation 215, Sec. 10 (4) (11).