HARDWOOD RECORD 



49 



W. L. Martin of the Martin Lumber Company o£ Cheboygan, Mich,, 

 was a visitor in Detroit last week. 



A. L. Holmes has just returned to Detroit from an extended visit to 

 California. 



The Hardwood Market 



< CHICAGO y 



Severe weather In the Chicigo territory during the last few weeks has 

 somewhat retarded active building operations, and for this reason slightly 

 less active trade has prevailed among the handlers of lumber going into 

 buildings. A decided increase In aggregate building permits, however, is 

 noted in the record for the Chicago building trade, and there is every 

 reason to believe that a call from this branch of the consuming trade 

 will be excessive in the immediate future. 



While there has been some little recession in demand in all lines, it is 

 not a condition which causes any bad effect upon the market. It comes 

 from causes which are purely local and temporar.v. Some little difficulty 

 is being experienced by the local yards In filling out their stocks. Local 

 consuming plants also have incomplete assortments of hardwood lumber, 

 and in some cases there is a slight disposition to meet only immediate 

 demand from purchasers. 



The usual condition prevails in all quarters, there being firm prices and 

 a steady demand for various items of hardwoods, particularly, of course, 

 in the lower grades. Oak, ash and chestnut are especially strong, while 

 there has been a slight weakening in the position of gum. 



The unanimous opinion of the local trade is that business will continue 

 on the present active and .satisfactory basis for the next half year at 

 least, and that even after that term there is no apparent reason why such 

 activity should not continue further. 



"< NEW YORK >■ — 



Notwithstanding a slight falling off in demand both wholesale and 

 retail, prices continue firm with some advance noted the last two 

 weeks. It would seem that buyers do not look for an,v great increase 

 in prices but believe that any change will be toward lower values : 

 consequently, demand is limited almost to actual needs. Some wholesalers 

 are of the opinion that prices should be held at the present range, 

 fearing that if they are sent higher the demand will be limited and a 

 general reaction may result in a drop in prices. 



Plain oak remains in steady call; chestnut and common maple also 

 show strength. Sound wormy chestnut has advanced $2 on 4/4 stock 

 and $1 on thicker. Thick ash shows another advance and this lumber 

 is now perhaps the strongest feature of the market. Birch, maple 

 in the common grades, and poplar are strong at higher prices. Reports 

 are still received of short supplies of good grades and this, with the 

 healthy movement of lower grades, augurs well for a steady spring 

 market. 



=-< BUFFALO y 



Trade in hardwoods continues a little more active than it usually 

 is at this season and the scarcity of lumber makes it a difficult matter 

 to fill many of the inquiries. Lumbering conditions in various sections 

 have been unfavorable much of the time, and this has had its effect 

 on prices, which have been firm all around. Plenty of snow has made 

 handling of lumber at the local yards difficult work during the present 

 month. There Is also some complaint of freight congestion In local 

 railroad yards. 



Plain oak has heen In better demand than any other hardwood and 

 Its scarcity has made prices very firm. Frequently cars come in and 

 are moved without being piled up in yard. Quartered oak holds pretty 

 firm and at better prices than a year ago. Brown ash, birch and maple 

 are among the other woods most wanted, though everything seems to be 

 in fair Inquiry. Poplar and basswood are firmer, in the lower gi-ades 

 especially. The mills have but little low-grade stock to offer. 



•< PHILADELPHIA >< 



With the exception of a slight advance in one or two lines, there 

 has been no appreciable change In the hardwood market from a fort- 

 night ago. The Increasing demand for material employed In the manu- 

 facture of furniture, automobile bodies, caskets, etc., supports a lively 

 activity in the consuming industries, and nowhere is there a noticeable 

 Increase in the pile at the yards. Notwithstanding the presidential 

 inauguration and the prospect of an early session of the new Congress, 

 the business man continues to hustle along as If nothing unusual 

 were in the air, which is a strong indication that every confidence is 

 felt as to the outlook, and that politics for once at least is powerless 

 to disturb a settled commercial equanimity. 



There has been a slight diminution of activity In the box factories, 

 but It is believed to be only temporary. Shipments are reported a little 

 easier, but the depleted stock at mill ends is very discouraging to 

 the hunter for desirable material, with no promise of improvement for 



Announcement 



To Vcnccr 

 Consumers 



^ Within a few days our new 

 plant will be operating. 



^ We will be equipped to saw 

 and slice high-grade veneers, 

 in mahogany, quartered oak, 

 Circassian walnut, American 

 walnut and rosewood, and to 

 manufacture band-sawn lumber 

 in the same woods. 



^ Our superintendent and the 

 operators of all our machines 

 are recognized as without peers 

 in their respective lines — their 

 work insures the most perfectly 

 manufactured Veneers and 

 Lumber possible. 



^ Our veneer and band saw 

 miil is the most modern and 

 best equipped in America. 



^ Through our log buyers here 

 and abroad, we always have 

 as fine a grade of logs as can 

 be procured by anyone. 



^ You are cordially invited 

 to inspect the mill, and we 

 believe you will be repaid 

 whether you are now in the 

 market or not. 



Fred W. Black Lumber Company 



Chicago 



Take Doof U» Ptrk "L" t« 40th Ave. »ndwalk one block louth 



