January 25, 191T 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



59 



for a very busy year. Buggy and wagon factoriec, as-weH as-[rtow-aiin 

 cbair factories, are busy, and reports from Trade centers in the South are 

 flattering. 



=-< NASHVILLE >-= 



Conditions are very satisfactory in the hardwood market. Dealers 

 report a good demand and a hardening tendency in values. The shortage 

 of cars has crippled business greatly, manufacturers being weeks behind 

 with orders on account of lack of transportation facilities. Embargoes 

 in the East hinder shipments to that territory, and much lumber is being 

 held back. Furniture manufacturers are liberal bu.vers, and other lines 

 have been in the market. Demand has been active for oak and poplar. 

 Low grades of chestnut have been moving, but other grades are slow. 

 The general demand is fairly good. 



=-< LOUISVILLE >- 



Hardwood manufacturers report that a general improvement has !;een 

 shown in all phases of the hardwood industry during the past few weeks. 

 Business is good and more orders are being offered than can be filled at 

 this time. Nearly all orders received are specifying immediate delivery, 

 showing that stocks in the hands of the consumer are light, and that 

 steady buying will continue for some time to come. The car shortage has 

 been relieved considerably, and many of the embargoes have been lifted 

 lately, resulting in a general improvement in transportation facilities. It 

 is said that, while there are large supplies of hardwood lumber in the 

 South, most of this materia! has been sold, and the actual supply on the 

 market is limited. Bad weather is slow-ing down logging, and some of 

 the mills are having troulile in securing requirements. Most of the manu- 

 facturers are behind on filling orders, .are not hustling new business, and 

 are unable to take care of such orders as are offered. Prices are high, 

 and show many signs of going higher, due to the shortage of certain items 

 in the lumber stock list. Veneers of all grades are moving well, veneer 

 manufacturers reporting new records on production, and full capacity 

 orders. Prices are good, while gum, walnut and mahogany stocks are 

 very active. The flooring trade is bujing plain oak liberally, and quar- 

 tered oak is also one of the most active items. No change has been shown 

 in the demand for gum. ash. poplar, cottonwood, etc.. all of which are 

 moving satisfactorily. There has been a good demand for northern hard 

 maple, and some concerns ha%e been buying in the open market to cover 

 orders on which they were oversold. 



=■< ST. LOUIS >-= 



The hardwood situation is better than it has been for several weeks, 

 although it is not quite up to the normal for this 'time of the year. There 

 is more buying being done, however, and the number of inquiries is gradu- 

 ally increasing. Buyers in all sections are taking quite an interest In 

 the situation. Nearly all items are scarce and in good demand and 

 those most in demand and wanted badly by buyers are commanding 

 good prices. In fact, buyers needing any particular item do not hesitate 

 to pay the prices asked. It is for this reason that prices on nearly every 

 item are being well maintained. Dry stocks are particularly low and 

 half dr.v stock is being taken without an,v objection when the dry mate- 

 rial cannot be had. Box factories are taking low grade boards at a high 

 figure. The demand for gum, oak and cottonwood is particularly good. 

 The cypress market is steady with some items advancing. Many mills 

 in the South have more business than they can handle. 



=•< MILWAUKEE >■ 



The situation in the local hardwood market is sucli tliat wholesalers 

 and jobbers report that they can find a ready market for all the stocks 

 that can be secured at practically their own prices. The situation is 

 reported about the same in all species. ' Prices are very firm with a 

 tendency upward. Birch is in strong demand among furniture and in- 

 terior finishing factories. I'pper grades of basswood are wanted by 

 furniture manufacturers, while low grades find a ready market among 

 box and crating manufacturers. Since old ivory and white enamel bed- 

 room sets have been the rage, oak has not been in such active demand 

 for this purpose, as cheaper grades of wood are substituted. 



The labor situation is much easier, but the freight situation is the 

 serious factor at present. No improvement has been noted to speak of. 

 and embargoes and the car shortage continue to hamper shipments. In 

 some cases express has been resorted to, to make delivery on the finished 

 [U'oducts. Warerooras are becoming congested. Furniture factories have 

 orders booked way ahead but find the above difliculties in making 

 deliveries. 



Loggers iu the northern woods are also having trouble. The question 

 of how to get their forest pi-oducts to market this winter is rapidly 

 assuming serious proportions to many loggers. The snowfall has generally 

 lieen very light, according to the latest reports. A number of loggers 

 have already commenced icing their main roads in the woods, but to do 

 this to all the roads would be a big expense. Loggers having lighter 

 forest products are taking advantage of what little snow there is to get 

 these products in. . 



Building operations here and in other cities of the state liave been 

 hindered by the extreme cold weather during the past few weeks. Local 

 operations have taken a decided slump over those of a year ago. 



"Lacey Says It's a Bargain" 



means that you may safely close your eyes a7id make 

 the purclmse, whether from or through our house or 

 elsewhere. Our favorable advice, when given, is se- 

 curely based on Icnowlcdge. 



"Lacey Says the 

 Price Is Too High" 



means lliat the purchase is surely not the best to 

 be had. 



In our 37 years as scientific timberland factors we 

 have earned the right to be considered the authori- 

 tative source of knowledge and reliability in counsel 

 on timberland matters by lumbermen, by bankers and 

 by lay investors. 



You'll he interested in reading our booklet, 

 MaiJ wc send it? 



''Pointers 



CHICAGO SEATTLE NEW ORLEANS 



1750 McCormickBldn- C^B Henry Bldg. 121S Whitney-Central Bldg. 



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 oyer 



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 first-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, 



HARRY B. CLARK 



Western Representative 



Portland, Ore. 



Attorney in Fact 



KANSAS CITY, MO. 



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



