HARDWOOD RECORD 



49 



=-< MILWAUKEE >= 



Wholesalers say that the sliorlago of most lines of northern hard- 

 woods is resulting in a stronger demand for oak, but shipments of both 

 plain and quartered grades are so light that the supply of oak is far 

 from being equal to requirements. Prices which are being demanded 

 by the southern mills seem rather stiff to local buyers, but they are 

 paid In most instances. Hardwood flooring manufacturers say that there 

 is a real shortage of flooring material. Birch is scarce, as usual ; in 

 fact the supply of dry high-grade stuff is practically exhausted. The 

 supply of basswood is decreasing, as a result of the stronger demand/ 

 from the box manufacturers. 



The furniture plants here and about the state seem to be busy and 

 wholesalers say that they have been placing some good orders in this 

 field. The implement factories are not buying quite so much material at 

 this time, owing to the fact that they have passed their busiest season. 

 The sash and door concerns are placing their orders more freely, evidently 

 preparing for the rush of the spring building season. 



Logging operations in northern Wisconsin are now at an end, owing 

 to the warm weather. Most of the logging concerns were fortunate in 

 being able to get most of their logs skidded and to the shipping points 

 before the close of the season. Although the season closed earlier than 

 usual, it is said that the total log output will be considerably larger than 

 that of the previous year. 



=-< DETROIT y- 



Conditions in the Detroit hardwood market are generally satisfactory. 

 Prices are high and firm. Hardwood stocks are reported fairly plentiful 

 with the exception of thick ash, and the price on this material has 

 increased from $2 to $6 per M. Dealers are optimistic for spring trade 

 and a large demand for interior finish is predicted, due to the large 

 amount of building which is already under way. The flooring trade 

 remains in a flourishing condition with orders and inquiries plentiful. 

 The veneer trade is in very good condition while the box factories show 

 renewed activity with large orders for crating lumber. 



=< GLASGOW y 



The business passing in this section continues on moderately active 

 lines, a fairly steady movement into consumption taking place while a 

 good all-round inquiry is in evidence. If evidence wore needed of tne 

 enormous inconvenience caused by the recent prolonged carters' strike, it 

 is to be found in the present appearance of the docks. Although enor- 

 mous quantities of timber of all kinds have been removed within the 

 past few weeks, the cartage facilities available have proved totally 

 inadequate to cope with the situation. I» some cases goods sold two 

 months ago are only now being removed. It has been a sickening 

 affair from the timber trade point of view and more annoying still 

 because that had nothing to do with the dispute. Naturally a lull 

 occurred in buying and it is only to be hoped that a greater activity will 

 now evince itself during the remainder of tbe year and that the past 

 strike will not be a precursor of more to follow. The present high prices 

 of course affect the situation to a certain extent, though it is not expected 

 tbat any decrease will take place and just as likely that no appreciable 

 advance will occur. No doubt some woods such as Canadian yellow pin» 

 will probably increase from year to year, but in the case of such woods as 

 spruce and pitch pine, where freights play an important part, it is 

 entirely different. 



It is said that never before has such a poor season been experienced 

 by Quebec shippers who are on their yearly visit. Small or no contracts 

 are reported, due to the limited stocks shippers have available and to a 

 larger extent to the high prices being quoted. Most buyers are at present 

 taking stock and naturally are disinclined to increase their holdings 

 except for immediate requirements. The spot business in pitch pine is 

 rather quiet meantime, and little C. I. F. selling is being done. The 

 stock held is considerable and, such being the case, buyers are some- 

 what reluctant to face the present high C. I. F. quotations, believing 

 they may be able to do better later on. Advices from the other side as 

 well as recent freight fixtures all point to decreasing freights and 

 shippers with high freight in hand are anxious to push sales as quickly 

 as possible. Buyers, seeing this, are of course not Inclined to be pushed. 

 At all events, freights will certainly have fallen by May or June. 



Recent arrivals include chiefly spruce deals and birch logs. Of the 

 latter, there has been a considerable import, chiefly round logs on 

 contract. The spruce deals have sold well, but prices are not yet up to 

 shippers' ideas. Two cargoes of American hardwoods have arrived within 

 three days of one another — viz., SS "Indrani" from Baltimore and SS 

 "Kastalia" from Baltimore and Newport News. Both of these ship- 

 ments practically consist of oak planks and poplar, a few walnut and 

 oak logs, and a few hundred hickory logs. The oak is chiefly on contract 

 for the various railway companies and the hickory logs are mostly on 

 contracts made to various buyers some months ago. One of the large 

 railway companies of Gl.isgow has just flxed its supply of oak scantlings 

 with the various merchants throughout the city. The Clyde timber 

 brokers stock lists will be issued in a few days and there is no doubt that 

 a pronounced all-round shrinkage will be revealed. 



Foreign and 

 Domestic 

 Cabinet Woods 



in 



Lumber or Veneers 



No order is too big — no order too little 

 — to secure our painstaking attention, and 

 prompt service. 



While Mahogany is our specialty, with 

 the largest stock of prime figured wood in 

 the country, one of our side lines is Black 

 Walnut, of which we have more than 

 1,250,000 feet of logs in rollways at our 

 Chicago plant today. 



SPECIMEN OP SPLENDID CUBAN MAHOGANY I.riO.'^ NOW BEING 

 OPENED UP PREPARATORY TO SAWING INTO VENEERS. 



Users of high-class Foreign or Domes- 

 tic Veneers or Lumber visiting Chicago 

 are especially invited to call and inspect 

 our plant and lumber and veneer ware- 

 houses at Robey Street and Blue Island 

 Avenue. Take Blue Island Avenue car at 

 the postoflice to Robey Street. 



C. L. WILLEY, Chicago 



Largest Mahogany Veneer and Lumber Producing Plant in 

 the World 



