J. C. Nason Buys Manteca Yard

Hayward Lumber & Investment Co. recently sold their yard at Manteca to J. C. Nasori, who tormerly operated the Nason Lumber Co. at Yuba Citv.

Seattle, Washington, October 11.-A log shortage at a most critical time is faced by the lumber industry of the Columbia river district, one of the largest producing groups in the Douglas fir territory, according to field studies made by interested lumbermen and given to the West Coast Lumbermen's Association. The reason for the'shortage whi,ch is actual today and likely to grow worse, is the damage done to timber, railroads, bridges and other logging property during the serious forest fires.

Columbia river mills within a week of the time when fire began running through the timbered,areas west and northwest of Portland, were having difficulties in securing logs. Log supplies at the close of August were very low, less than enough to run the mills during September, at the production rate of August. Production increased during September, and loggers idle during the summer began preparations to begin the winter's logging. Fallers and buckers were sent out to do the advance cutting. Some logs were ,coming in. Then fire hit the area. Logging stopped at once. It will take thirty days after all the fires are out before logs can be brought to the water. Logging has not started yet and the log supply in the water-owned by mills and by loggers-is considerably less than one month's supply.

Millmen expect the log shortage to grow more stringent daily and forecast that as a result buying of lumber will be much more difficult, due to probable further curtailment of mills in that area. These point'out also that most of the logs coming into the Columbia river are now taken from higher areas where snow prevents logging operations during the winter. If, for example, logging could begin at once many camps would close down again with the first heavy snow at their levels. Usually in the early fall a surplus of logs is accumulated by both loggers and mills to carry the industry through the months when snpw in the mountains forces logging down to a minimum.

An authority estimates the loss in timber caused by the recent forest fires to be approximately one billion board feet, or about one-tenth of the amount made into lumber by the entire lumber industry of the Douglas fir region in 1929; <ir, about one-third of the probable production of all mills in 1932. Much logging and railroad equipment was lost. Many important loggers in the area will not be able, due to fire damage to equipment, railroads, and timber, to log this winter; others face serious delays. The Southern Pacific line through the fire area, much used by loggers in bringing logs to the Columbia river, lost several tunnels and bridges, and trains cannot be run until these are replaced.

Opens Los Angeles Office

Schafer Brothers Lumber & Shingle Co. have opened offices in the Petroleum-Securities Bldg., Los Angeles, with E. E. Schmidt in charge. They operate mills at Montesano and Aberdeen, Wash. Mr. Schmidl has beeri connected with the company's sales department at the mill.