How Lrumber lrooks

Irortland, Oregon, August 13--Steady clenrand lor Pacific Northwest lumbcr is reflected in July lrrmber orders, rvhich outstripped totals for any n.ronth since March of this year, H. V. Simpson, executive vice president of the West Coast Lumbermen's Association announced today.

July lumber orders in the Douglas fir region of Oregon and Waslrington surged to a rveekly average of 136,677,0C0 board feet, an increase of 11,298,000 feet over those {or Jur,e. By contrast, lumber orders in July, 1946, sagged to a lorv for the year.

"Continuing strengtl.r of the clemancl for lnnrber suggests that the construction programs for both homes and commercial establishments are to be pressed vigorously throughout the fall," Simpson said.

The rveekly average of \\rest Coast lumber production ir-r July was102,716,000 board feet, a drop from June's average of 141,312,000 feet, accounted for by sarvmill sl.rutdorvns during the Fourth of July period. Shipments rvere 101,040,000 feet, against I29,322,000 for June.

Cumulative production for the first 31 r,r,eeks ol 1947 n'zrs 3,996,132,000 board feet; 3l lr'eeks, 1946, 3,($1,461,000; 31 rveeks, 1915, 4,058,619,000.

Orclers for 3l rveeks of 1947 break clon,n as follou,s: Ilail, 2,766,713,000 b.f.: clomestic cargo, 490,874,G00; export 571,399,00O ; local 390,933,000.

The industry's unfilled order file stood at 682,144,000 b.f. at the end of July; gross stocks at 483,081,000.

Production and shipments from mills reporting to the West Coast l.umbernren's Association were maintained at a high rate np to August 16, but the car shortage still continues.

The Associatton for the week ended August 9 gave orders as 89,136,000 feet, shipments 97,057,000 feet, and production93,291,000 feet. Unfilled orders at the end of the rveek totaled 552,713,000 feet.

For the week ended August 16 orclers rvere reported as 81,757,N0 feet, shipments 88,626,000 feet, and production 95,432,000 feet. Unlilled orders at the end of the rveek totaled 552.77 3.N0 feet.

Western Pine Association for the week ended August 16, 100 mills r.:porting, gave orders as 55,O72,A00 feet, shipments 59,810,000 feet, and production 71,876,n0 feet. Orders on hand at the end of the week totaled 198.116.000 feet.

The Southern Pine Association for the week ended August 9,82 units (108 mills) reporting, gave orders as 27,485,000 feet, shipments 19,524,000 feet, and production 18,151,000 feet Orders on hand at the end of the rveek totaled 91.583.000 feet.