42 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



October 



1911? 



EXPERIENCE 



has long been conceded the best teacher 

 and the warnings of experience the most 

 rehable. The experience of insurance me- 

 diums speciahzing on lumber manufactur- 

 ing plants is that 75% or more of the an- 

 nual FIRE LOSSES occur after the 

 middle of July. 



Therefore during the period of liot and dry 

 weather it is vitally important that the LUM- 

 BERMEN know that they are fully covered 

 with INSURANCE, on every division of their 

 properties. 



It will also be the part of wisdom to place this 

 coverage where it will bring the greatest re- 

 turns in FIRE PREVENTION SERVICE. 

 You will make no mistake if you place your in- 

 demnity to its full carrying capacity with 



The Lumbermen's 

 Underwriting Alliance 



U. S. EPPERSON UNDERWRITING COMPANY 



Attorney in Fact 

 1116 R. A. LONG BUILDING, KANSAS CITY, MO. 



Over 



One Million Dollars 



in savings has been returned its members by the 



Manufacturing 

 Lumbermen's Underwriters 



and there remains to the credit of members orer 



Nine Hundred Thousand 

 Dollars 



The membership, which is constantly increasing, 

 is now composed of nearly four hundred and fifty of 

 the best saw mill plants in the country. Insurance in 

 force exceeds thirty-five million and nearly three 

 million dollars has been paid in losses. If you have 

 a irst-class plant adequately protected and are inter- 

 ested in low cost fire insurance, correct policy forms, 

 an inspection service which may save you from a dis- 

 astrous fire, with the certainty of a prompt and 

 equitable adjustment in case loss does occur, and 

 wish a list of members and annual statement we will 

 be glad to hear from you. 



Rankin-Benedict Underwriting Co. 



HA.KRT B. CLARK 



Waatcrm R**r*MBt«tlT* 



PsrtlanC On. 



Attorney in Fact 



KANSAS CITY, MO. 



.Tble to furnisli sufficient equipment. Tliis latter iact .ippeals to owners of 

 lumlier and the.v prefer to await this development ratber than dispose of 

 lumber freely under present conditions. Ortl\ is moving in fair volume at 

 full prices for both the higher and lower grades, but gum continues the real 

 leader of the hardwood list in point of strength and activity. Offerings are 

 readily absorbed and the situation is regarded as most wholesome. Asb 

 sells well and there is an unusually active demand for hickory, which is 

 scarce and very firm. The remaining items show no particular change from 

 a fortnight ago. 



=-< l^ASHVILLE >= 



Trnn.-^portation has b^en tlio most important matter to tlip liardwood 

 lumber interests. The shortage of cars has continxiod to interfere with the 

 movement of lumber seriously. The general tone of the market is good. 

 Building operations in Xashville and other cities in the South have beeen 

 active, resulting in a good demand in this department, and numerous other 

 lines are in need of lumber, but unable to secure deliveries with any prompt- 

 ness. There is a fair demand for the general list of hardwoods, and prices 

 have shown hut little change. The shortage of cars is interfering with 

 movement of logs, as well as the outbound movement of lumber. Lumber- 

 men report better outlook for the future, and are hopeful of obtaining 

 relief. 



=-< LOVISVILLE >= 



A general improvement in the hardwood business has been noted all 

 along the line, according to leading operators of Louisville, who state 

 that the items which were moving sluggishly are now going well, and 

 that prices are generally strong and the market active. With the 

 exception of the car situation everything is staged right for a record- 

 breaking movement of hardwoods from this market. The demand Is 

 good in all manufacturing lines, and gum, ash, elm, cottonwood and 

 cypress are moving freely. Gum is especially active and is feeling the 

 effects of a speculative demand from buyers wjio are stocking with a 

 view toward higher prices and a heavy demand from Europe with the 

 close of the war. Cottonwood is very scarce and hard to obtain, while 

 poplar is showing an improvement In both demand and price. Plain 

 oak is in better demand than for some time past, and quartered white 

 oak is also becoming active. Interior finish is showing greater activit.v 

 due to an improved building movement this fall, and automobile, furni- 

 ture and musicjil instrument manufacturers arc placing orilers. Car 

 liuildors and fixture manufacturers have been in the market 

 for some stock, and every branch of the trade is showing activity. 

 Walnut and mahogany are good bets, mahogany experiencing a good 

 export demand. 



=-< ST. LOUIS y 



.\n Improvement in hardwood conditions is reported. There is an iD- 

 creased demand for all kinds and grades and orders are comin? from all 

 sources of cons\imption. Tlie car shortage is still handicapping sliipments, 

 particularly those from the smaller mills. Then, too, the scarcity of labor 

 is affecting tile liusiness. There continues to be a good denian<l for gum, 

 particularly for all thicknesses of F.\S stock. Oak is showing a steady 

 improvement. There is a good movement reported In all grades of poplar. 

 .Vsh Is having a satisfactory sale. Requests are coming in quite freely for 

 thick stock. There is also a fair demand for cottonwood. Cypress is in 

 liretty free demand. Many of the orders are coming to this distributing 

 point because shipments cannot be obtained from the mills. There is quite 

 a scarcity of thick cypress reported at the local yards. Prices on all items 

 both of hardwood and cypress remain firm and are easily maintained. 



=-< MILWAUKEE >= 



Business in the Milwaukee market is fair in volume and a continued 

 improvement Is noted. Building operations, which took a decided drop 

 during September from the figures of a year ago. have again resunied activity 

 and are far in e.\cess of those during October, 191.5. Because of this in- 

 crease there has been a bigger demand for all descriptions of hardwoods. 

 While there have been no material changes in prices, there is every indica- 

 tion of an advance, while for the present quotations are firm and cannot he 

 shaded. There Is a large amount of business that must materialize soon, 

 and buyers are gradually falling In line after waiting and holding off buying 

 expecting a drop. 



The railroaii transportation facilities at the present time are in very 

 poor sbai>e and the situation is becoming worse. The Northwestern and the 

 Milwaukee railroads are unable to furnish box cars demanded by shippers. 

 Reports from this and cities throughout the state say that considerable con- 

 struction work is being delayed by the non-arrival of building materials. 

 The railroads are offering no hope to manufacturers and shippers and pre- 

 dict that the situation will grow worse. Coal, grain and other merchandise 

 is being delayed and some manufacturers are reported to be fighting to 

 secure cars to deliver coal to their plants to keep their tires burning. 



The coming winter promises to be a banner year in timber cutting. Lum- 

 ber companies are getting starts on logging ttperations in the northern part 

 of the state. In many cases sawmills were closed earlier tlian usual this 

 year because the demand was not anticipated last fall and woods operations 

 were not so extensive as usual. However, with the present tone of the 

 market the season's cut promises to be large, provided the labor situation 

 does not hold back operations. 



All Three of U* Will R^ Benefited if You Mention HARD VOOD RECORD 



