Seven Directions to L-335 Amended

Washington, October 16-Certain species and grades of lgpber, available at present in greater quantities than are needed by the military and by consumers placing certified orders, were released today by the War Production Board to all users of lumber.

Hardwoods and other species not controlled by Directions 1 through ,5 of the lumber control order, L-335, and the output of small mills producing species covered by these directions may now be sold by mills on uncertified and unrated orders if such sales does not interfere with the filling of certified orders. Distributors, in turn, may buy this lumber on uncertified and unrated orders, and may sell it in a similar fashion.

This freer flow of lumber on uncertified and.unrated orders from mills to distributors, and from distributors and mills to consumers is provided by amendments to Directions 1 through 7 of L-355. In all cases, however, certified orders continue to take precedence over uncertified orders.

Two factors are chiefly responsible for the fact that the present supply ol certain species and grades is in excess of certified consumption, WPB said. Class I consumers under L-335; who are authorized to buy specific quantities of lumber on certified and rated orders, buy the species and grades most suitable for their purposes. fn some instances, claimant agencies have not been able to use the full amounts of lumber fequested by them and authorized by WPB in the third and fourth quarters of. 1944. As a result of these factors, the movement of lumber, particularly less desirable grades in small mills, has been slowed up, WPB said.

Release of this lumber is necessary to prevent possible shut down of small mills, which do not have the facilities for drying and dressing their unsold lumber and cannot afford to carry it in inventory, WPB explained. Greater leeway in distribution will permit Class I consumers to buy lum,ber in addition to the amount authorized. and to some extent meet demands of small ,consumers.

Directions 1 through 7 and ,changes made today's amendments follow.

Directions 1 through 5 cover specified species on the West Coast and the western pine regions; redwood; southern yellow pine; and red or yellow cypress. In each dire'ction, mills over a certain size (measured by production) are required to give military orders precedence over other orders (except those rated AAA) up to specified percentages of their anticipated monthly shipments of the aftected species.

Percentages remain unchanged except for redwood, for which up to 40 per cent of expected monthly shipments, in stead of up to 6O per cent, must now be reserved for military orders. The higher percentage has been found unnecessary in view of the volume of redwood produced, and the current direct military requirements, WPB said.

Mills smaller than those designated in each direction may now ship lumber on uncertified and unrated orders to consumers as well as distributors.

Today's amendments add the Veterans Administration to the military agencies whose orders are given preferential treatment.'This change is made to conform to the policy established in the "GI Bill of Rights" which places the Veterans Administration second in importance ohly to the Army and Nlavy in obtaining priorities assistance for materials and services.

The Amended Directions 1-5 also permit wholesale distributors to extend the certification of the Central Procuring Agency of the U. S. Corps of Engineers, in placing orders that are to be given military preference.

Freer flow of lumber through distribution yards is provided by Direction 6, as amended today. Distributors are permitted to receive and to sell, on uncertified and unrated orders, species not covered by Dire,ctions 1-5, and the following grades. of species covered by Directions 1-5.

No. 4 or lower grades of Douglas fir, southern yellow pine, western hemlock and Sitka spruce; E grade of Douglas fir and western hemlock; redwood dunnage and No. 3 or lower grades of ,cypress.

The E grade of Douglas fir and western hemlock, No. 3 and lower grades of cypress and redwood dunnage formerly were not included in Direction 6. All hardwood species are now permitted to move through distributors' hands on un-

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