November 10, 1916 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



39 



condition, for which no satisfying explanation has yet been ad- 

 vanced. The explanation nearest, of course, is the cessation of exports, 

 but since the total exports, as compared with the domestic trade, amount 

 to hardly more than 10 or 12 per cent under normal conditions, it would 

 scarcely seem pos.sible that the elimination of this 10 or 12 per cent 

 should make all the difference as against other branches of trade. The 

 fact cannot be ignored, of course, that the lines which are busiest have 

 also the advantage of an exceptional foreign demand, while, in the case 

 of farm products, a shortage of crops Is an influential factor. Neverthe- 

 less, even when allowance is made for all of these elements, it will still 

 occasion speculation as to why the hardwood business is not more active 

 when other industries are rushed almost as they never were before. The 

 woodworking factories continue to manifest liberal requirements, the 

 furniture plants and other users of hardwoods are running full time and 

 over. Building is also quite brisk, a decided improvement having taken 

 place in construction work during the last two months. The prevalent 

 prosperity is expressing itself in more liberal expenditures for homes and 

 furnishings, and this should prove helpful to most of the hardwoods. 

 It is also to be said that the stocks held here are perhaps larger than 

 ever before. Most of the yards are heavily stocked and are securing more 

 room. Their expectation Is that the near future will bring a very exten- 

 sive expansion in the demand, and they are preparing to take care of it. 

 No. 1 common oak is called for quite freely, and the buyers seem re- 

 ceptive to tenders. Poplar is also sought in considerable quantities, 

 while the requirements in the way of chestnut for cores in veneer work 

 and of ash are very fair. 



=-< COLUMBUS > = 



strength is the chief feature of the hardwood trade in Columbus and 

 central Ohio territory. The volume of business has been gradually in- 

 creasing and prices are ruling firmer. The worst feature at this time is 

 the growing car shortage, which is delaying receipts to a large degree. 

 The tone of the market is generally satisfactory and prospects for the 

 future are considered bright. 



Buying on the part of factories is one of the best indications for the 

 future. Concerns making vehicles, furniture and boxes are in the market 

 for supplies, and inquiries are much more numerous than formerly. 

 Manufacturers generally are prosperous and they are inclined to in- 

 crease their stock of materials. Car stocks are also in fair demand in 

 this territory. • 



The retail trade is also inclined to buy better than was the case 

 several weeks ago. Yard stocks are not very large and there Is a scarcit.v 

 in certain items. Dealers realize that higher prices are almost sure to 

 come and are trying to cover. The car shortage is interfering with ship- 

 ments to a marked degree and there is much inconvenience caused. Prac- 

 tically all of the orders booked are for immediate shipment. There is 

 less cutting of price than formerly. Collections are reported as good 

 in every locality. 



Quartered oak is in good demand and prices rule steady. Poplar is 

 moving well and prices are strong. Chestnut is in good demand. Bass- 

 wood is stronger, and more strength is shown in ash. Other hardwoods 

 are unchanged. 



=•< CINCINNATI >• 



The Cincinnati hardwood market for the past several weeks has been 

 dominated by the car situation, all branches of the hardwood cutting 

 and manufacturing industry being subservient to the available supply of 

 rolling stock. This adverse situation has depressed the market in no 

 slight degree, although it is true that price levels are being maintained 

 on a higher basis, but the volume of transactions has fallen off ma- 

 terially. In many instances premiums are being paid quickly and cheer- 

 fully where shipments are guaranteed. Mills in the South, after issuing 

 warnings weeks back, are beginning to shut down, thus creating a 

 peculiar situation. The stopping of work at the producing centers nat- 

 urally limits the production, but many of the mills have such large sup- 

 plies on hand that they must cease operations because they have no 

 more room in which to stock their accumulation. The manufacturing 

 mills, badly in need of lumber and logs, have empty yards because cars 

 can not be obtained. It is predicted in this section that, should the car 

 shortage be relieved rather suddenly, this part of the country will wit- 

 ness the heaviest movement of lumber in years. Some manufacturers 

 have instructed their salesmen to ease up in their efforts, the uncer- 

 tainty in obtaining lumber being too great to risk guarantees on large 

 orders. The actual demand for hardwood in this section is considerably 

 magnified owing to the difficulty in shipment, and it is estimated that 

 if car conditions were normal the volume of hardwood moved would not 

 be up to expectations for the late fall trade. 



The railroads continue to be large factors in the market, their require- 

 ments running through the list of car material and track and station 

 repair. The carriers most generally have been able to find ways and 

 meiins of moving their own lumber, so that the railroad's ordering and 

 actual deliveries probably feature the local hardwood trade. The north- 

 ern hardwoods are moving in better volume than other items, due both to 

 a genuinely improved demand and to the fact that both labor and cars 

 are more plentiful in the northern states. Red birch is enjoying an 

 especially busy season and stocks seem to be plentiful with little diffi- 

 culty in moving. There has been a lull of late in the request for sap 



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Oar Standard 



flWe are makers of Good Lumber. 



Q For ten years we have been turning out 

 high-grade Hardwoods at our present lo- 

 cation, and thruout those ten years we 

 have been studying constantly to improve 

 our products. 



Q As a result we have established a real 

 STANDARD OF QUALITY. 



^ When our customers speak of GOOD 

 lumber they say "Like Liberty Lumber." 



^ It IS good lumber. Smoothly sawn — 

 plump, even thickness — good widths — 

 good lengths — and FLAT. 



^ Good to look at, a pleasure to work — 

 that is "LIBERTY" lumber. 



SEE OUR LIST OF DRY LUMBER IN 

 "HARDWOODS FOR SALE" DEPT., 

 PAGES 44-45, AND ASK FOB PRICES 



UBERTY HARDWOOD LUMBER COMPANY 



MAKERS OF GOOD LUMBER 

 Big Creek, Tex. 



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Williams 



Lumber 



Company 



FAYETTEVILLE 

 TENNESSEE 



-MANUFA CTURERS- 



Middle Tennessee 

 HARDWOODS 



Soft -Textured Qtd. Oak a Specialty 



All Three of Us Will Be Benefited if You Mention HARDWOOD RECORD 



