November 10, 1916 



f- 



Attached you will find detailed sheets covering the above increases and 

 decreases, the water and rail shipments being separated, and in the 

 No. 2 common and better it will be noted that every item has been 

 reduced — a total reduction of water stociss of 19,952,000 feet. Rail stocks 

 have not been so fortunate as ash, beech, soft elm and maple show 

 increased stocks amounting to 4,798.000 feet, and reduced stocks of 

 basswood, birch and rock elm amounting to 2,650,000 feet, or a net 

 increase in the rail stocks of 2,148,000 feet. 



The No. 3 common water stocks show a decrease in all woods, excepting 

 birch and soft elm, amounting to 9.060,000, while birch and soft elm show 

 an increase of 1,577,000 feet, or a net decrease of water stock of 7,483,000 

 feet. 



Rail stocks of No. 3 common, like the No. 2 common and better, have 

 not been as fortunate, as every item but one show increases — a total of 

 14,996,000 feet, while ash has been reduced 189,000 feet, leaving a net 

 increase of No. 3 common for rail shipment of 14,807,000 feet — 14,533,000 

 of this being maple, birch and beech. 



Unsold No. 2 common and better stocks are 35,932,000 feet less than 

 one year ago. 



Unsold No. 3 common stocks are only 3,040,000 feet greater than one 

 year ago. 



The foregoing statistics clearly indicate the healthy condition of the 

 hardwood market of today. 



Our sales are in excess of our production for the past year. 



It has been estimated that the hardwood production for 1916 will 

 exceed that of 1915 b.v at least ten per cent, and still stocks are decreased. 



This reduction of stock, in connection with the increased production, 

 sold at prices as high and higher than those indicated as being the market 

 values of July 26, 1916, is certainly gratifying. 



With stocks reduced and steadily being reduced, and in view of the 

 present labor conditions which clearly Indicate considerably higher cost 

 of production and a materially reduced output for the coming winter, 

 we believe the prices indicated by the attached sheets, while materially 

 advanced, truly represent the present market value of our product, and 

 that these prices should readily be obtained and will be obtained, if not 

 exceeded, by a large majority of our members. 



We want to caution our members to watch their production carefully 

 in order that they do not over-produce on any particular size or item — 

 a general over-production is impossible. 



No. 3 common, while it shows a very slight increase in stock, Is largely 

 located where it is available for rail shipments and during the coming 

 months should be rapidly cleaned up at satisfactory prices. 



Let everyone bear in mind that the prices indicated in our report must 

 be obtained by the members of this association in the sale of their stock 

 if they expect to get back the additional cost of production. 



The increase in the price of lumber has not kept pace with the Increase 

 In the price of other commodities, while our cost increase has. If we 

 are not to be favored with a relative increase value on our commodity, 

 let us at least demand and receive the increased cost of production. We 

 certainly must do this if we are to continue in the lumber business on a 

 profitable basis. 



The hemlock situation is very strong — stocks are slipping away from 

 us at too low values. We have on hand today but 115,000,000 feet as 

 compared with 181,000,000 feet one year ago. Dry stocks are out of the 

 question and we must depend upon late cut stock to take care of our 

 winter's business. 



The present car shortage for which there does not seem to be any 

 Indication of immediate relief places yellow pine out of the running 

 as a competitor to any great extent, and our customers must depend 

 almost entirely upon the hemlock producing territory to supply their 

 needs. 



Our stocks are gradually growing smaller and we have not been getting 

 the values we should within $1.00 to $1.50 per thousand feet. 



The Northern Hemlock and Hardwood Manufacturers' Association 

 report hemlock shipments for the twelve months ending September 1 

 exceeded production by 15 per cent. 



In spite of the above favorable conditions some of the hemlock manu- 

 facturers, particularly on the lower grades, in the attempt to meet 

 competition and hold their trade, have been moving their product at too 

 low values. Let us reconsider. 



Lath are strong, showing a decrease in stock of 17 per cent over one 

 year ago. 



October Stocks 

 no. 2 common .\nd eettek 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



26a 



.\SH— 



Rail 



Water .... 

 BASSWOOD — 



Rail 



Water .... 

 BEECH— 



Rail 



Water .... 

 BIRCH— 



Rail 



Water 



ROCK ELM— 



Rail 



Rail & Water 

 Incr. Dec. 



31 



Rail 

 Incr. Dec. 



168 



Incr. 



WJter 



3,568 



2,219 



3,479 



2,428 



1.327 



930 



393 



Doc. 



2,241 



2,549 



Water .... 

 SOFT ELM— 



Rail 



W.nter .... 

 MAPLE — 



Rail 



Water 



Total . . . 



894 



.309 



■'.366 



125 



2,077 



31 17.835 4.798 2,650 

 31 2,650 



Decrease 17.804 



Increase 2.14S 



NO. 3 COMMON. 



501 

 ■434 



9,4-J3 



19,952 

 2. 148 



17.804 



ASH— 



Rail 



Water .... 

 BASSWOOD — 



Rail ; . 



Water .... 

 BEECH— 



Rail 



Water .... 

 BIRCH— 



Rail 



Water .... 

 ROCK ELM — 



Rail 



Water .... 

 SOFT ELM— 



Rail 



Water .... 

 MAPLE — 



Rail 



Water .... 



Total . . . 



Rail & Water 

 Incr. Dec. 



2,058 

 4,762 



Rail 

 Incr. Dec 



189 



301 



446 



1,664 



2,870 

 1,546 



1,546 



249 



3,303 



3,471 



54 



160 

 7,759 



14,996 

 189 



Incr. 



Water 



1,291 



286 



189 1,577 



14,807 Increase 



Dec. 



"68 



'l',237 



1,245 



'355 



6,i55 



9,060 

 1,577 



7,483 Decrease 



Increase 7,324 7,324 



After the subject of proposed changes in grading rules was 

 introduced C. N. Stamats, purchasing agent of the Willys-Over- 

 land Company, representing the Automobile Lumber Buyers' As- 

 sociation, talked to the members informally. Mr. Stamats par- 

 ticularly emphasized the need for good backs on the grade of 

 select to be furnished to the automobile people. He did not object 

 to the grade, but said that it could not be used by the automobile 

 manufacturer if it contains a reverse side shovping anything 

 worse than No. 1 common. 



It was promised that his remarks would be given all considera- 

 tion by the grading rules committee. 



On motion of Mr. Abbott, the secretary was instructed to secure 

 a report each month from every member as to his shipments. 



The meeting then adjourned for luncheon, after which Chair- 

 man Saunders of the grading rules committee presented his report. 

 Following is the report substantially in full showing the recom- 

 mendations for changes: 



Report of Grading Rules Commitee 



Hard Maple and Beech — Firsts and seconds, no change. Selects 

 (new rule) : Grade to be made from best face of the piece. Selects 

 must be 4 inches and wider, 8 feet and over long. Pieces 4 inches 

 wide shall have one clear face; pieces 5 inches wide, 8 to 11 feet 

 long, shall have one clear face; pieces 5 inches wide, 12 feet and 

 longer, admit one standard defect or its equivalent. Pieces 6 

 inches and over wide shall grade not poorer than seconds on one 

 face. The reverse face shall not be below the grade of No. 1 

 common. 



No. 1 Common — (Changes.) Six feet and over long. Not over 

 30 per cent shorter than 10 feet. Pieces 3 and 4 inches wide, etc. 

 (No further change.) 



No. 2 Common — No changes. 



No. 3 Common — No change. 



Under Special Ikspection 



Hard Maple and Beech — Nos. 1 and 2 common (flooring stock) : 

 Shall be graded from the best face; 3 Inches and wider, 4 feet and 

 longer. Heart rule does not apply. Percentages of clear face 

 cuttings to be the same as for Nos. 1 and 2 common regular grades; 

 back face of cuttings must be sound. 



Standard Inspection 



Ash, Birch and Sycamore — Firsts (no changes). Seconds 

 (changes): Seconds must be 6 inches and over wide. 



Selects (new rule): Grade to be made from best face of piece. 



