Some Effects of Defense on Wood Utilization in California

Abstract This article was prepared in October 1941 before the entry of the United States into the World War. At that time one-fifth of the national total of defense contracts had been awarded to the West Coast and California was experiencing extraordinary industrial activity which already had had marked effect on the production and consumption of lumber. The article describes some of these effects including the strength of demand, continued availability of desired woods, and some substitutions that were being made in such important uses as construction and millwork, furniture, battery separators, aircraft and wooden boxes. In addition employment trends and the water and rail transportation situations as of that date are briefly reviewed. Since preparation of the article, the principal developments have been a tightening up of the labor supply and a fourth quarter decline in lumber activity which means that 1941 production probably will be somewhat less than the estimated 2.29 billion board feet.