August ;;.:i. 1922 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



55 



Hnns t'npaj;o(l iu the hardwood business in Mfiuphis and the Memphis 

 territory are tinding plenty of orders for all the lumber they have ready 

 for delivery. Even Nos. 2 and 3 common, which were extremely slow for 

 an almost indefinite period, are moving in considerable volume and at 

 somewhat better prices. Box and heavy crate manufacturers are absorbing 

 low grade cottonwood, gum, oak and other hardwoods in a larger way 

 than for more than two years and the somewhat burdensome surplus of 

 lumber of this character is rapidly passing into consumption. The call 

 for No. 1 common and better is very good. There is even an increased 

 demand for veneers which have been rather dull and inactive for many 

 months. Manufacturers of furniture, office fixtures and equipment, musical 

 instruments and other products are entering the market for veneers and 

 this represents a distinct improvement in the general hardwood situation. 

 Demand for veneers is not normal even yet, but a beginning has been made 

 and added impetus is expected when the railway and coal strikes are 

 settled. 



Flooring manufacturers are taking practically all the Xos. 1 and 2 com- 

 mon oak in both red and white plain sawn and they are paying higher 

 prices than a short time ago, in the effort to stimulate production. There 

 is every indication that the construction program in the United States 

 will be adversely affected by the increasingly adverse transportation situa- 

 tion, hut demand is still very large for pine lumber, and hardwood interests, 

 including flooring manufacturers, feel confident that, so long as pine is In 

 demand, hardwoods will follow in its wake. Certainly hardwood flooring 

 manufacturers are not showing the least sign of checking their activity. 

 Other building trade interests are buying in fair volume though perhaps 

 not quite as heavily as recently. Furniture manufacturers are, in some 

 instances, delaying placing orders in volume, pending clearing of the 

 fuel supply situation. Others, however, are laying in supplies of lumber 

 while transportation facilities are still available, with the result that 

 furniture interists are making a pretty full contribution to the present 

 quota of orders received. Automobile interests are good buyers of elm, 

 ash, gum and other southern hardwoods and there is increasing demand 

 from manufacturers of agricultural implements and vehicles, based pri- 

 marily on the belief that indicated prosperity of the agricultural population 

 will provide ready outlets for these products. Export demand is expanding 

 most satisfactorily. The American Overseas Forwarding Company reports 

 that its business thus far in August is more than double the corresponding 

 period in July. During that month total exports were about 4.000,000 feet. 

 Un the present basis, the figures for August will exceed 8,000,000 feet, 

 thus bringing foreign shipments to approximately the best figures of any 

 corresponding period this year. The Delta Lumber Export Corporation 

 reports that it is receiving a large number of inquiries and some orders 

 from foreign sources for gum lumber and veneers. 



There is no complaint whatever on the score of demand. The problem 

 of hardwood manufacturers at the moment and for the next few months 

 is that of production and distribution. Shortage of flat cars for transport- 

 ing logs to the mills is already bringing about curtailment in excess of 25 

 per cent compared with the more recent averages. Many mills are closed 

 down altogether because of inability to secure logs. Logging itself is being 

 slowed down because of fears of inability to secure transportation. This 

 is the time of year when worms and other insects are very destructive of 

 logs left lying in the woods. The slowing down of logging not only atEects 

 the immediate supply ; it also affects the supply some time hence. Firms 

 which operate their own logging equipment, including engines and cars, 

 are able to move their logs without difficulty. Considerable quantities of 

 ifigs are also being moved, on short hauls, b.v motor trucks and teams. 

 Firms, however, which are dependent on the public carriers are receiring 

 extremely poor ser\ice in all cases, with the exception of the Illinois 

 Central system, which includes the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley railroad. 

 This road is furnishing empties and is moving loaded cars promptly. Others 

 are furnishing very few cars and are giving poor service in moving these 

 after they are loaded. 



LOUISVILLE 



Local hardwood producers and jobbers are quite disgusted with the 

 situation forced upon them by the rail strikes, which have virtually 

 stopped movement of lumber. Curtailment in building operations is in 

 sight, which will reduce demand tor interior trim, flooring, etc., eventually, 

 it is feared. Buyers are waiting for the time being, although grabbing a 

 few cars here and there that are in districts which can still ship. Very 

 few mills are accepting any shipments now. and such orders as are ac- 

 cepted are on the basis of delivery when possible. As buyers generally 

 want Immediate delivery this kills any chance of accepting any immediate 

 business. Prices are quite firm and will probably go a bit higher at re- 

 handling and storage points. Collections are reported fair to good. 



NEW ORLEANS 



Archer Hardwoods 



have demonstrated their claim to the 

 front rank of quaUty and if you have 

 never used them it will pay you to get 

 in touch with us at once. 



WE SPECIALIZE IN 



Plain and Quarter-sawed 

 RED AND WHITE OAK 



Plain and Quartered 

 RED GUM 



We can supply your requirements in 

 Hardwoods no matter how exacting 

 they are. Consumers wfhose reputation 

 rests on quality can maintain their stand- 

 ard by v/riting 



ARCHER LUMBER CO. 



HELENA, ARKANSAS 



BEDNA YOUNG 



Lumber Company 



Jackson, Tennessee 



Manufacturers of ■ 



The transportation situation, brought about by the railway strike. Is 

 by far the most serious problem facing the hardwood industry of the far 

 South at the present writing. There is an acute shortage of cars for both 

 the movement of logs from the woods into the mills and also for the move- 

 ment of lumber from the mills to the consumers with little present prospect 

 for a hasty betterment in the situation. In fact, it is feared now that with 



Quartered White Oak 

 Quartered Red Oak 



AND 



OTHER HARDWOODS 



When in the market for 



High Grade Lumber 



please let us have your enquiries. 



