J. R. HA]IIFY G|l.

invented Fir-Tex and established the present manufacturing unit in July. 1930. this material rvas allowed to go to rt'aste and rvas consumed in the slab burners of the sarvmills. Fir-Tex insulates sound, temperature and moisture and is one of the ferv products of its kind on the market of wood insulator that is semi-rigid and not laminated.

"Country-s,ide sales for Fix-Tex built up in the short space of three or four months is indeed a stupendous feat," says Mr. Kelly, "and I predict that rvithin 6ve years ever;r nerv apartment house constructed rvill have floors and rvalls insulated against sound.

Indications are that building activity, particularly in the more populous centers of the United States, will be materially animated in the early part of 1931. In many cities such as Chicago. construction of residences has been prac- tically at a standstill for the past three years and a real shortage of modern structures is becoming apparent.

This acceleration in building in the east is bound felt in local territory as alt major movements are. West Coast is readl' to supply lhe materials.

Fire Destroys Kilns And Shingles

Eight million Perfection shingles and five dr-r' kilns t'ere destroyed November 21 by a fire at the big plant of Bloedel, Stes'art & Welch, Ltd., at Vancouver, B- C. The mill rvas not burned and'production will be maintained. Three nerv modern dry kilns, recently completed, will handle the production until the new dry kilns are constnrcted.