50 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



If 



I "Everybody can sing w^he 



cure 



^ 



XUMBER 



"Everybody can sing w^hen they have 

 anything to sing about." — Barrie. 



^ We have a right to sing about both 

 Kraetzer-cured Lumber and the Kraet- 

 zer Preparator, by means of which it is 

 produced, but — we know 



"The bane of many a good idea has been the 

 intemperate zeal of its exploiters." — Cooley. 



A KRAETZER PREPARATOR 



Hence — 



^ While we assure you tliat Kraetzer- 

 cured Lumber is vastly superior in qual- 

 ity to that seasoned by any process 

 previously emploj^^d; and that it can be 

 produced at a saving in labor, time, in- 

 terest on investment, insurance, taxes, 

 less weight and shrinkage, and higher 

 quality of from $3.00 to $4.00 a thou- 

 sand feet. Yet — 



^ We don't ask you to believe us, but 

 do ask you to let us send you the names 

 and addresses of all owners of Kraetzer 

 Preparators, to every one of whom we 

 can confidently refer you for commen- 

 dation of both the process and the eco- 

 nomical and satisfactory working of the 

 api)aratus. 



The Kraetzer Company 



\ \ 537 S. Dearborn St. CHICAGO, ILL. 



«/v5 cOjluw 



cure 



LUMBER 



thfre is not likely to be any easinj;; off in the range of prices for a time, 

 if at all. the edge has been taken off the donjand and it is less easy now 

 to liud pick-up orders. Members of the trade state that on their recent 

 trips they found many of the yards to have hxrge stocks, with practically 

 full -selections. As long as prices went up and there remuint'd the slightest 

 deficiency, in the assortments, it was natural that yardmen should try to 

 make up these deficiencies, so as to be prepared for every requirement 

 upon them : but now that the upward movement seems to have been halted, 

 the disposition to wait until actual needs develop is apparently more pro- 

 nounced, and the sellers are obliged to put forth greater effort than was 

 called for not long ago to do the same volume of business. As stated, this 

 does not mean that any weakness has manifested itself in the trade. The 

 requirements of the buyers are evidently still such as to take up the output 

 of mills, and no extensive accumulations are to be found : but the feeling 

 is. none the less, somewhat easier, and the urgency of the requests for 

 lumber has abated in a measure. To he sure, no pressure is exerted by the 

 sellers to place stocks, the market being allowed to take care of itself, in a 

 way : but the salesmen are more diligent in calling upon their customers. 

 while the consumption is about holding its own. There is a prospect that 

 the destruction caused by the western floods will bring out larger require- 

 ments than would otherwise have been the case. It is not so much that 

 the high water compelled mills to suspend operations or that logs were 

 i-arried away, although here and there losses of this sort are also to be 

 iioled : but that there niust Im^ a replacenn-nt in a very short time of much 

 material needed for building and that hous<'S wrecked must be erected to 

 shelter the thousands rendered homeless. This' may be expected to create 

 an exceptional drain upon the sources of supply and help the hardwood 

 business of this section. 



As for prices, they are being maintained at their old level, no weakening 

 having occurred in any direction. The improvement with respect to extra 

 wide poplar continues, and chestnut in all of its divisions is not less 

 active than it has been, with sound wormy commanding ready takers at 

 quotations about $;i higher than last summer and fall. To an appreciable 

 exl<'nt it is the more immouneed quiet in the export business which is 

 reflected in the trade generally. The slocks in the foreign markets are 

 relatively largi' and the buyers abroad are disposed to hold out for con- 

 <*essions. whicii the sliippers arc not in a position to make. At the same 

 time, no curtailment in the forwardings is to be noted, some of the steam 

 ers that left here during the last few weeks carrying large (luantities of 

 hardwoods. Should the strike In Belgium continue for any length of time 

 it may make a difference in so far as some of the continental Kuropean 

 markets are concerned. The general situati()n. of cojirse, is also influenced 

 in a measure J»y the feeling of uncertainty as to the political situation 

 and the practical effect of the economic change being effected. No one 

 knows exactly what these ehnnges may n)e;in aud whether they will not 

 call for a more or less extensive readjustment : and until the outlook 

 iM'comes more clearly defined a measure of hesitancy in the demand for 

 hardwoods may be expected to manifest itself. 



^-< COLUMBUS y- 



lic's|iiic till' disastrous flund wliich ilivnsiali'd ii |ioi-tloii of Central Ohio 

 during tiK' latter part of Marcli. trn<li' in hardwoods in ColuTnhus and 

 vicinity has bppn fairly active. The dimand lioth from ri'tailers and 

 factories is good and prices are ruling tiriu In every particular. The tone 

 of the market Is satisfactory and the outlook for the future is i>romising. 



One of the best features of the trade is the lack of stocks in most 

 varieties and this means a continuation of the high prices. Dry stocks 

 in every locality are scarce and every effort on the part of mill owners to 

 increase tliem has not succeeded. Stocks In the hands of retailei-s are only 

 f:ilr, wiiicli nu-ans tliey will be in the market for larger orders just as 

 soon as the building seas<iD begins. Kactory stocks are also small. 



Factories engaged In making vehicles, implements and furnittire are 

 the Ui'sl buyers now although otbiT lines are also buying well. The feel- 

 ing in manufacturing circles generally is good. 



The indications are bright for an active builuing season. Avcbltecta 

 and contractors are busy on plans and contracts and In many cases work 

 has stftited in earnest. The recent flood which destroyed and damaged 

 hundreds of homes in Columbus will be the nteans of stimulating the trade 

 to a large degree. 



riain oak is strong in ever.v wa.\' and orders are coming in well. Both 

 red and white oak are in demaiul. (Juartcued f)ak is also strong and the 

 volume of business is good. roi)lar is gaining in strength and automobile 

 concerns are gotMl buyers. Both ash and basswood are sirnog .mhI prices 

 are ruling high. Other hardwoods are unchanged. 



=-< CINCINNATI >-= 



Weather conditions are much more favorable at this writing than they 

 have been for some time. All of the yards arc again In good shape and 

 it is remarkable that so little damage to lumber interests has resulted, 

 the principal loss being in labor in making lueparatlons for the high 

 water and cleaning up afterward. Much of the lumber that was delayed 

 en route to t.^lncliinali lut account of the tlood is now arrivini; and the 

 dealers are hustling to lake care of it in order to hasten tlu^ release of 

 cars and the congestion of all of the yards In the city. Considerable stock 



