Potlatch Corp. reported sharply higher earnings for...

Potlatch Corp. reported sharply higher earnings for the second quarter and first half and said it expects generally positive conditions in its business for the remainder of the year. For the second quarter, San Francisco-based Potlatch, a diversified forest products company, said earnings were $19.4 million, compared to $10.5 million for the same period in 1985. Richard P. Madden, chairman and chief executive, said the second-quarter and first-half results reflect the benefits of the company’s improved cost competitiveness and a modest improvement in economic conditions.