Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-01

Ito 900, 900 board feet, or an increase
over the production of the year 1919
Of 4,303, 000, 900 board feet.
It became apparent to many leaders
in the industry during 1925 that the
extension in plant facilities in the
West had been to rapid and that the
softwood lumber production was great
er than the worlds ability to absorb
lumber.
Readjustment in Output
This situation was met by a read
justment of lumber production, which
was participated in by majority of
the largest manufacturers. The move
ment was purely voluntary and the
restriction in production on the basis
of the 1925 cut varied from per cent
to as high as 80 per cent by those par
ticipating. The result of this move
ment was a decline in production in
1926 and 1927. BY 1928 inventories,
production and demand were again in
balance, with the result that values
were restored to point where the in
dustry was again earning all necessary
depletion charges and reasonable re-
turn upon the capital invested.
This was the condition throughout
1923 and at the beginning of 1929. II
continued for nearly five months dur
ing 1929, until about May 20. On that
decline. The lumber industry had full
warning that something was about to
happen five months before the stock
market panic of October of that year
The decline in demand for lumber
which began in May, 1919, has con-
tinued to this date.
The following figures give an ac-
curate picture of the shifting of lum-
Der production during this 1o-year
period:
In 1919 softwood lumber production
of the Central. Eastern and Southern
States was 17,122,000.000 board feet.
The production of this same group of
States in 1928 was 1885 ,000,000 board
feet, decline in production in the
Central, Eastern and Southern States
during this 10-year period Of 4,237, OOO,-
600 board feet.
The production Of softwood lumber in
the Intermountain and Western States
in 1919 was 1925 100000 board feet.
The production of this same group of
States in 1928 had risen to Is, 460 900, =
600 board feet, an increase of 5,175,-
600, 900 board feet.
Statistical Deductions.
EIOIu lLlCoC bo4Al SOAANAOoAOAAo
are inevitable:
production of lumber in the West
ern States is increasing faster than it
is declining in the Central, Eastern and
Southern States.
2.-As long as this continues the
United States will have overproduction
and a demoralized industry.
with the problems of reforeStra-
ton, and conservation Of future supply,
and improved utilization of American
forest resources in mind, it is entirely
reasonable to say that the United States
has been taking from its stands of old
growth timber, most of which now are
in the Pacific Northwest, as heavy a
production as the remaining stands
justify.
4.-Up to 1926 the production of
softwood lumber in the Central, East
ern and Southern States exceeded the
production in the West. During 1926
the Western production crossed the
line, and from this time forward the
preponderating production will increas-
ingly be found in the West, and with
this final shift to the forests of the
West goes full responsibility for intelli-
gent and constructive leadership to the
lumber operators there. That such
leadership will be developed within the
industry there can be no doubt; en-
lightened self-interest will determine
the issue If all the other and possibly
better reasons fail.
Copyright, 1881. by North American News
paper Alliance)