May 10, 1919 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



43 



The Hardwood Market 



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CHICAGO 



I Plain & Qtd. Red & White I 





The local trade is picking up noticeably and one of the most encouraging 

 features Is the greater frequency of Inquiries from planing mills and in- 

 terior finish plants. Apparently the development of the building trade 

 locally is already beginning to be directly felt through increased call for 

 Interior hardwoods. 



The Chicago woodworking trades of all kinds are showing sustained 

 demand and buyers In this section have apparently come to realize that _ „ 

 it is foolish to wait longer for easier prices. In fact, the stimulated buy- = Evetl (Jolor 

 ing indicates that the tendency toward higher rather than lower prices = wvn,, 



for hardwoods locally Is being observed and buyers are now trying to = 

 cover before such figures go even higher. = 



BUFFALO 



The hardwood trade is in a better position than a few weeks ago, though 

 Just now interfered with by the campaign for the Victory Loan. The out- 

 look is regarded as favorable and everybody is looking for an increasing 

 volume of trade. It would be of much advantage to hardwoods if the 

 building business would start up actively, but such construction work as 

 Is being done is not taking a large amount of the more expensive woods. 



Quartered and plain oak are both in fair demand, the former continuing 

 scarce. Maple is in better sale than a short time ago and prices are also 

 firmer. Ash is still one of the leaders. Prices on most woods are stronger 

 tlian two or three months ago and difficulty Is experienced In replacing 

 stock when once it is sold. This stiffening of prices is expected to grow 

 still more marked. The local market is fortunately well supplied with most 

 everj'thing likely to be required by the eastern buyers this summer. 



BALTIMORE 



Such changes as have taken place in the hardwood trade during the last 

 week have been for the better. The demand for the higher grades has 

 been increased, and the range of values has stiffened. Those members of 

 the trade who some time ago predicted that the quotations would advance 

 and were laughed at are having their Inning now. Such predictions of 

 course, were based upon the belief that stocks of lumber all over the 

 country had been greatly reduced. The extent of this reduction does not 

 seem to have been appreciated, but was made apparent In the statement 

 of one of the speakers at the New Orieans meeting, who declared that 

 whereas the sawmills in the Mississippi river delta had on hand last year 

 m April some 50,000,000 feet of logs, the total in the booms and ponds 

 this year at the same time was not more than 5,000,000 feet. Conditions 

 because of the war and the unsettlement produced thereby have been such 

 as to bring activities in the logging sections almost to a standstill, and 

 many of the plants have had to stop making lumber because they were 

 completely out of logs. For a time this shortage did not become evident 

 for the reason that the demand for lumber halted. But now, when users 

 of hardwoods have come to realize what has happened and the Inquiry is 

 accordingly stimulated, values are being marked up with a suddenness that 

 startles many of the buyers. Increases arc being heard from almost every 

 day, and with hardwood requirements expanding It looks as though a 

 real famine would develop, with prices probably going to unprecedented 

 figures. This applies chiefly to high-grade stocks, such as No. 1 common 

 and better, but the lower classifications can hardly escape being affected 

 also. And this does not take Into account the Increased demand from 

 foreign sources. To be sure, the export movement has not yet attained 

 Impressive proportions, but a distinct Improvement Is none the less being 

 noted, and it depends only upon ability to get shipping to experience a 

 real revival in the foreign trade. Apparently the earlier accumulations 

 in the hands of the users of hardwoods have been disposed of, and the 

 consumers have reached a point where they must place additional orders, 

 which is leading to the discovery that stocks are by no means plentiful, 

 and that, contrary to the expectation that a general readjustment upon 

 a lower basis would have taken place by this time, the values, at least 

 on the higher grades, are rising. 



OAK 



AND OTHER 

 HARDWOODS 



Soft Texture | 



MADE (MR) RIGHT 



OAK FLOORING 



We have 35,000,000 feet dry •tock— all of 

 our own manufacture, from our own tim- 

 ber grown in Eastern Kentucky. 



= PROMPT SHIPMENTS = 



I The MOWBRAY i 

 I & ROBINSON CO. I 



= (incorporated) = 



I CINCINNATI, OHIO | 



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COLUMBUS 



strength is the chief characteristic of the hardwood trade in central Ohio 

 territory. Orders are coming in fairty well, and owing to Umited stocks 

 prices rule firm in every respect. The tone of the market Is generally 

 considered satisfactory and prospects for the future are believed to be 

 good. 



Manufacturing concerns, especially those making boxes. Implements and 

 furniture, are buying more liberally. Automobile concerns are also in the 

 market, buying mostly for present needs, but orders are gradually Increas- 

 ing. Retailers are also buying better than formerly, as it is generally 

 realized that prices will not decline to any extent. It is the belief that 

 prices will advance during the summer months. 



Dry stocks are not large in any section. Shipments are coming out 

 promptly, as there is no delay from transportation congestion. Rural 



^8 LUMBER 



When you want 5/8 lumber remember us. 

 We're 5/8 specialists in all kinds of woods. 

 All of our 5/8 is sawed from the log — 

 not resawed — and shows good widths and 

 lengths. We offer the following dry- 

 stock for prompt shipment: 



100,000 5/8 No. 2 Com. Poplar, 6" & wdr. 

 20,000 5/8 No. 3 Com. Poplar 

 80,000 5/8 No. 2 Com. Sap Gum 

 22,000 5/8 No. 3 Com. Sap Gum 

 35,000 5/8 No. 2 Com. Plain Wh. Oak 

 17,000 5/8 Is & 2s Qtd. White Oak 

 10,000 5/8 No. 1 Com. Qtd. White Oak 



OTHER THICKNESSES 



30,000 4/4 Is & 2s Soft Maple 

 100,000 4/4 No. 1 Com. Soft Maple 

 60,000 4/4 No. 1 Com. & Better Elm 

 15,000 4/4 Sap Gum Box B, 13-17 



WRITE FOR OUR COMPLETE LIST AND PRICES 



NORTH VERNON LUMBER CO. 



NORTH VERNON, INDIANA 



