San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-05
Opinion Generally Held That
Production Will
Fall Behind.
TIMBER NEARLY GONE
Southern Lumber Producers
Must Move to Pa
cific Coast.
BY j. C. ROYLE.

Copyright, 1923, by The San Antonio Light.
New York, Feb. 5.-Lumber prices
win not decline in 1923. Lumber manu-
facturers are in far greater danger
from sudden and extraordinary in
ereases in price than from falling low
epquotations. That was the way some
BIZ the biggest lumber men in the United
States outlined the situation in this
great bass industry today.
"The statistical position Of lumber
products is most healthy at present"
laid John II. Kirby, president Of the
Southern Pine Association and chair
man Of the board of the Kirby Lumber
company, the largest producer of yell
low pine lumber in the world. Build
Ing permits in all the cities Of the
Fountry are, in the aggregate, greater
han for any period in the asst two de-
ladies'.
The railroads and lumber using in
ustries are in the market for I'M
Usually large supplies and all conditions
|eem to be conspiring together to fore
hadow unusua demand.
No New Mills.
"No new mills have been built in any
art of the country in the last ten
ears, except few on the Pacific
cast and the production Of these will
ot more than compensate for the loss
Il production in sections where the lum-
Ter has been cut out.
This condition would indicate no
Increase in the supply of lumber 1t
ould indicate, however, a price situa-
on which will bring thriving conditions
, all parts of the lumber.producing ter
tory. ~
This attitude was fully confirmed to-
az by officers of the Southwest Lum-
ermen's Association in Kansas City,
Tho declared that the continuation OF
be unprecedented activity in building,
Indicating the soundness Of business
pnditions generally will result in fur
her advances in lumber prices. In
bort time, what with increased calls
+om the railroads, automobile manu-
turers and furniture makers, demand
i'll exceed supply, they said.
Pacific Fir Active.
In the Pacific Northwest the aston.
hing activity Of the fir sawmills is
ershadowing all other business prog
|ss. During January, mills in Ore.
pri and Washington in the combined
oakuction and new orders booked at
he'd a new record of 80 per cent more
an normal working capacity. The
lis there are overwhelmed with orders.
here is constant suffering of cargo
ties for transporting these products 10
stern markets and prices fob. mills
e hardening.
There still is a difference OF 40 to
per cent between present prices and
ose which obtained at the peak of the
st-yar boom, but manufacturers are
Il worrying about demand. Their
oblem, leading manufacturers said to-
was to avoid RUNAWAY" market.
here is solid backing for the estab-
hment of a policy which will accom-
sh Just that thing.
Lumber Nearly Gone.
Large operations in the yellow pine
triets of the South will decrease sub
ntialIy each year from this time on,
fifteen years, according TO Mr.. kir-
at which time supplies will be d.
nished to a point where large opera
ms will no longer be profitable or
ssibe, Some of the larger operators
Texas and Louisiana, he added, are
wing or have bought timber lands
the Pacific coast. Mr.. Kirby said
his company had not yet taken
h a step. although he personally had
simulated some holdings on the Pa
c slope.
The aggregate production Of yellow
mills from Virginia to Texas" Mr..
rby asserted, "will steadily dimin-
and larger operations vii culmin-
in final consumption in about fif-
years. Smaller operations will go
much longer, but the large operators
al buy timber on the Pacific coast
hey EXPECT to remain in the business
producing lumber"
Presence of silk men here to attend
international silk exposition which
an today, has had a stimulating ef-
ON the silk market which is show
renewed activity both for the raw
ducts and finished goods,