THE CALIFOR}.IIA LUMBERMERCHANT

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Seattle, Washington, August 10, 1943-The weekly average of West Coast lumber production in July (4 weeks) was 153,373,000 board feet, or 101.0 per cent of 1939-1942 average, according to the West Coast Lumbermen's Association in its monthly survey of the industry. Orders averaged 161,560,000 board feet; shipments, 158,424,000. Weekly averages for June were: Production, I63,779,W board feet (107.5 per cent of the 1939-1942 acerage) ; orders, 174,476,O00; shipments, 165,502,000.

Thirty weeks of 1943, cumulative production, 4,499,479,00O board feet; 30 weeks, 1942-5,401,012,000; 30 weeks, 1941-4,995;705,000.

Orders for 30 weeks of 1943 break down as follows: rail, 3,656,388,000 board feet; domestic cargo, 412,3,8,000; export, 87,269,000; local 594,635,000.

The industry's unfilled order file stood at 1,102,840,000 board feet at the end of July; gross stocks at 5M,262,M.

The war demand for West Coast lumber continues with no substantial change. One-half of all production is going directly into war channels through Central Procurement office, and a considerable share of the balance is finding its way into various types of lvar production. No decline in demand is in prospect with the war in its present stage.

Most encouraging development in July was the gain of 78 million feet in tidewater 1og inventory, coupled with the 115 million-foot gain over immediate mill requirements for May and June. This is slightly under a third of the .700 million feet needed by summer's end to carry mills through probably seasonal gaps this winter. The log inventory gain is due in part to the fact that many mills have been giving crews vacation with pay, encouraged by WPB.

Biggest headache in lumber industry continues to be the critical shortage of manpower. In early July there was a slight gain in number employed, but this fell off in late July. fnroads by Selective Service and other war in{ustries has been serious, and manpower shortage remains the No. 1 problem of the industry today.

Lumber and log production in next three months, when log production should be at peak, will be governed entirely by available supply of skilled men. Today several mills are suffering curtailed production because of shortage of men, and some report possibility of complete shutdown unless situation eases. Log inventory must be built up by the end of October when heavy weather curtails many logging operations.

Overall lumber production continues to lag about 7 per cent weekly behind 1942 figarcs, and about 17 pet cent behind for the year, the early spring floods and storms accounting for this production loss.

The Western Pine Association for the week ended August 14,99 mills reporting, gave orders as 69,377,ffiO feet, shipments 81,208,000 feet, and production 92,ffi9,000 f.eet. Orders on hand at the end of the week totaled 435,153,000 feet.

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