THE CALIFOR}.IIA LUMBERMERCHANT

How Lumber Looks

There have been increases in all Douglas Fir mill prices, as high as the ceiling in some items as a result of lvar conditions. It is certain that there will be a large increase in Government buying of lumber for housing of workers in expanding war industries.

Low inventories in the hands of many California dealers has caused heavy buying. It is likely that many of the steel ships in the coastwise lumber trade will be requisitioned by the Government and that wooden lumber schooners now tied up will be put back into service.

The Philippine Mahogany lumber situation will depend on what effect military operations will have on mill production in the Islands, also on whether the ,sea lanes can be kept open. There is a possibility that lumber steamers may be convoyed to Pacific Coast ports. California wholesale distributors report that their stocks are low.

Seattle, Washington, December 9, L941.-The weekly average of West Coast lumber production in November (4 weeks) was 154,549,000 board feet, or 97.O per cent of estimated capacity, according to the West Coast Lumbermen's Association in its monthly survey of the industry. Orders averaged I36,2L3,W board feet.; shipments, 141,542,0n. Weekly averages for October were: production, 179,459,W board feet (91.1 per cent of the l92Gl9D average) ; orders, 154,882,000; shipments, 173,497,W.

48 weeks ol L94I, cumulative production, 8W,376,W board feet ; same period, t94O,-4,552.433,000; 1939-5,954,' 279,W.

Orders for 48 weeks ol l94l break down as follows: rail, 4,6D,589,W board feet; domestic cargo, 2,067,534,ffi; export, 205,869,000 ; local, 1,100,879,000.

The industry's unfilled order file stood at 587,403,000 board feet at the end of November; gross stocks, at 9D,' 121,ffi.

The situation of West Coast lumber took an unfavorable turn in November, due principally to restrictions on all 'nondefense building, owing to controls on scarce materials. Second cause was the shortage, yet increasing, of water space to California and Atlantic Coast. The resulting difficulty of moving low grades is curtailing production among tidewater mills. Third, the prospect of a general rise in freight rates is a depressant on lumber production.

The market for West Coast lumber is becoming very unbalanced. The still large demand for defense lumber runs to timbers; to types of lumber used in heavy construction, as in timber roof trusses which are increasingly replacing steel; and to boatbuilding lumber, ship decking, and aircraft stock. 30 to 40 per cent of the Douglas fir log cannot be made into such items. With restricted outlets foi this large portion of the industry's raw material, production falls and unemployment increases.

The Western Pine Association for the week ended No(Continued on page 50)

'Twas Christmas eve in the barracks, , And the soldiers all were there, ,, .' Thinking of home, but trying ' To act like they didn't care; When suddenly the voice 9f a rookie, Rang through the barracks-"Ptrts, What do you want for Christmas?"

,, And the soldiers answered-'GAls !" ***

Well, lumber friends, you've finally got itl Ever since 1929 you've been hoping and praying for just a touch of prosperity to hit the lumber industry; and it got to look as though it were never coming. But it finatly came, didn't iq? And when it arrived, it was no "touch.t' It was a smash.

Wishing our friends in the lumber business a prosperous and happy Christmas this year of 1941 is almost a waste of words. It's here,iand bveryone rin the industry has gotten a share.

North, East, South, and, Tl/est, by groufs, by divisions of the industry, by species, and any other way you want to divide the lumber business and its ramifications, prosperity has come this year to the lumber people and their friends and affiliates. It took another World War and a world catastrophe to bring it about. But it came. That's the main thing. ft's here.

Mr. Lumberman will be able to sit down to his Christmas dinner this year in much the same fix as the rancher who said he had "cattle on the hoof, shecp on the range, and cash in the bank." Yes, it should genuinely be a very merry Christmas for the average lumberman in general and for the sawmill man in particular. ***

Of course we've had a selleris market atl through the year. So naturally the producer, the first seller, has had a heap of fun. He had it coming, for he had had no fun in his business for a long, long string of years. Which made it all the more pleasant for him when it arrived. **t<

I have heard the manufacturer of lumber criticized many times during the past year, for getting over-excited by the great tide of business. But there were extenuating circum- stances. The sawmill man in general was much like the fellow who had been wandering without water in the desert for a few days. When he.finatly came to a river, he didh't drink from a cup; he dove in head first.

***

Of course, there were rnany automatic brakes to control his speed. Rapidly advancing costs of everything that goes into the manufactur6 of his product, had their stout effect. And now the tax collector will come along and take a huge portion of what he has been making. But he doesn't kick. After a long and dreary drought, the rains came, and he had 'a iocidtiime. The fun was almost as satisfactory as the profit.

One mill man said to me: "I find now, after hustling like the devil to get the best prices possible for my lumber, tira=t . I could have sold it all for much lower prices and still had Sbout as. much left after I pay my taxes, but wbat t'hell? Look at the fun I've had." It was governrnent business that was the backbone of the,great lumber market of 1941. And now the government will reap the tax harvest. ***

It is reminiscent of the old story about the Irish pallbearer at the funeral. When the preacher pronounced the words: "Dust thou art, to dust thou shalt return," the drunken Irishman hiccuped and exclaimed: "Nuthin' could be fairer than that."

,F**

So it is with deep satisfaction that we wish our lumber friends at this time a happy holiday season. This time we know our wish will come trug and not be just wasted sentiment as it has boen so often in the past. We wish dl our friends in the industry the best there is for Christmas, and a New Year that will bring them a full measure of happiness and satisfaction.' ***

There is satisfaction in the thought that no matter what conditions prevail, there would be littte genuine pleasure in business without the friends that business creates. And so, at the close of another year, we look backward and think of the many friends who have made the tasks of the year lighter, the sun brighter, the desire to serve stronger, and the ties of friendship dearer. The joys of friendship are things that not even war can take away from us. What saith the poet? "Their cause I plead, ptead it in heart and #ittd, a fellow feeling makes one wondrous kind.,, Friendships are assets that neither war nor {qpression can destroy.

What does the future hold for u4? No, no, my friend. There shall be no prophecying here,.*Sufrce it for this time thet we talk of the grand times of the past year, and let the future take care of itself for the moment. But advice? Ah! That's different. This column was always strong in that depadf,ment. So, let us close these Christmas Vags by quoting what a wise man said to us once, long ago. It would be a fine working plan for any man for the year, and all the years to come. He said: ***

"Get up right in the morning. Go to bed right at night. Start with joy in your heart, hope in the future, kindness in your purpose. If it is a dark day, never mind. You will help lighten it up. If it is a bright day, you will add to the brightness. Give a word of cheer, a kindly greeting, and a warm hand-shake to your friends. Forgive, and try to forget your enemiei. If all of us would bear in mind that happi'ness is from within and not from without, there would be a well-spring of joy in every human heart, and the sun would shine forever."

Sheltered Benches for $oldiers May Become Popular

Known as the "USO Wanta Ride Wigwam," and constructed by the Southern Lumber Cornpany, San Jose, in co-operation with the San Jose Evening News, the first USO sheltered bench stop ,for men'in uniform seeking a ride from passing motorists was dedicated in San Jose, November 29. The structure was presented to Leland Prussia, chairman of the USO committee.

The idea was suggested by a reader of the News that shelters with benches be built along roads near cities and army camps for the benefit of soldiers. The idea was approved by army officers who were consulted.

Edwin Pohle, manager of the Southern Lumber Company, approved of the suggestion and lost no time in having the first bench constructed. He feels certain that the bench will be used by the soldiers and that similar benches will be placed in other parts of the city.

Mr. Pohle commends the idea to lumber dealers in other cities and towns in defense areas. Incidentally his concern rtceived a good deal of front page newspaper publicity in return for his efforts in getting the first bench built and located on the highway. It was placed on South First Street at a point where it is easy for motorists to pick up soldiers looking for a ride back to camp.