54 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



October 10. 1922 



the hardwood yards, and now there is some better demand from the chair- 

 makers. There is no doubt trade would be loolting up wonderfully if the 

 car shortage did not so interfere with it. 



BALTIMORE 



Conditions in the hardwood trade are generally reported to show Im- 

 provement. The gains made have not yet shown pronounced proportions, 

 but interest in stocks is stated to be on the increase and the distribution 

 shows gains in consequence of the removal of some of the handicaps under 

 which the railroads have labored. Some of the mills, especially those 

 with limited yardage facilities, are still closed down, while others are 

 making preparations to resume and still others have resumed. Certain 

 portions of the South have not yet gotten over the embargo, though the 

 lines with restrictions in force announce that they will be able to accept 

 shipments in a few days. There is nothing wrong with the demand, which 

 has been held in abeyance only because the sellers could not promise ship- 

 ment. 



COLUMBUS 



There is a strong demand for hardwoods in Columbus and central Ohio 

 territory, despite some transportation difficulties which are holding up 

 shipments to a considerable extent. Buying on the part of retailers is the 

 best feature, although concerns manufacturing boxes, implements and fur- 

 niture are also buying fairly well. Retail stocks are low as a rule and 

 dealers are stocking up for the fall and early winter. Orders which were 

 placed several weeks ago are now coming in as embargoes have t<en 

 lifted and freight is moving better. Railroads are also showing a disposi- 

 tion to come into the market better and on the whole the tone is generally 

 satisfactory. Dry stocks are plentiful although there is no apparent over- 

 supply. Oak, chestnut and poplar are the strongest features with prices 

 inclined to advance. 



CINCINNATI 



The Cincinnati hardwood market continues strong, largely due to de- 

 layed shipments and the industrials' inability to get as much lumber as 

 needed. As a result of these conditions, of which the railroad situation 

 is the basis, prices are strengthening all along the line. A majority of the 

 embargoes have been lifted, but the car situation is the leading factor 

 now holding back business. A feature of the trade during the past week 

 has been the Increased buying on the part of the automobile and furniture 

 manufacturers. Their wants take in such items as oak, elm and ash, of 

 which there is not an adequate supply in this territory. Many of the buy- 

 ers in the Cincinnati market who were buying frantically, believing that 

 the railroad strike would continue Indefinitely and that they would be 

 without necessary lumber, have now returned to moderate purchases. Some 

 distributors say that they are finding it harder, than ever to make de- 

 liveries on orders accepted thirty and sixty days ago. The demand could 

 slump to dismal proportions and yet be greater than arrivals at the present 

 rate and until the freight problem is solved prices will remain firm, in the 

 belief of local lumbermen. Veneer manufacturers report an improvement 

 in their trade as a result of the increased activity on the part of the fur- 

 niture and piano manufacturers. 



INDIANAPOLIS 



It is doubtful if there ever was a fall season in the history of the busi- 

 ness that is so active as the hardwood season here this fall. In place of the 

 retail demand falling off. It seems to be increasing and the only fly in the 

 ointment is the car situation. Distributors report flies of orders that can 

 not be filled. The volume of new construction is greater than in any fall 

 season in spite of early predictions that the increased cost of construction 

 would cause an early slump as winter drew nearer. The industrials are 

 buying steadily when it is possible to secure stock, but the coal famine is 

 beginning to have some effect on production. In some plants the execu- 

 tives declare they will follow the Ford example rather than be held up for 

 coal. Steam coal from Indiana mines is at an almost unheard of figure 

 and most of the bins are low, forcing executives into the coal market if 

 they want to continue operation. The furniture factories are confident 

 they will have the biggest winter in the history of the business. The vast 

 amount of residential construction and apartment construction over the 

 country is pointed to in order to substantiate these statements. Every 

 time a family moves, furniture executives say, it takes more furniture 

 and these new apartments and residences will stimulate the demand 

 greatly. There has been a noticeable increase in the activities of the box 

 manufacturers, Indicating a general speeding up of Industry all along 

 the line. The music trades seem a little off, but they say this is due to 

 the late fall. Automobile companies here have begun the manufacture 

 of closed Jobs for the winter sales and business appears to be good. 



EVANSVILLE 



The hardwood lumber manufacturers anrl wholesalers of Evansville and 



uthern Indiana report that their trade has shown an upward tendency 



■ r the past two weeks and in spite of the car shortage they are looking 



for a nice business the balance of the year. There has been some im- 

 provement in the car shortage situation, especially on the southern lines. 

 Prices are holding firm. The railroads have been buying lumber in more 

 liberal quantities than they have at any time for the past several years. 

 The general jobbing trade also has improved a great deal. Box manufac- 

 turers have been in the market for some lumber but it is said they are 

 buying rather cautiously. Ash seems to be in better demand just now 

 than any other kind of lumber. Poplar, plain white oak and gum also are 

 moving quite briskly. Walnut also is in good demand with the prices 

 holding rather firm. Hickory is rather quiet at this time, although some 

 oars have been sold during the past two weeks. Beech and sycamore have 

 been rather sluggish for some time past. Many of the manufacturers are 

 expecting a big winter business if only the railroad companies can furnish 

 the cars. Logging operations in the southern states and along Green 

 and Barren rivers in western Kentucky are more active than they have 

 been for some time past and it is expected the first of November will see 

 a great many logs coming into the local market. 



MEMPHIS 



The hardwood situation has resolved itself largely into a question of 

 transportation facilities for handling outbound shipments. There is 

 plenty of demand. Consuming interests in the United States are placing 

 orders by both wire and mail. There is considerable duplication of in- 

 quiries because consumers are trying to locate those owners of hardwood 

 lumber who are in position to make reasonably prompt shipment. But, 

 even without this duplication, inquiries and orders are now larger than 

 they have been for more than two years and the industry is on the eve of 

 a tremendous revival. In the opinion of members of the trade here, as soon 

 as it is possible to make shipments on a larger scale. Flooring manu- 

 facturers, as well as manufacturers of furniture and automobiles, are 

 actively in the market, while there is a very satisfactory demand from 

 producers of interior trim, boxes, heavy packing crates and agricultural 

 implements and vehicles. Miscellaneous consumers, including car-repair 

 and car-building plants, are likewise in the market in a substantial way 

 and it is easily possible to sell a great deal more lumber than can be 

 shipped for the next several weeks. There is likewise a good foreign 

 demand. 



LOUISVILLE 



If transportation conditions were normal, Louisville hardwood producers 

 and Jobbers claim they would be doing a fine business, as general demand 

 lor lumber, plywoods, veneers, etc., is good, the furniture, woodworking, 

 auto and general consuming trades being in the market, while smaller 

 jobbers are buying steadily for domestic demand. There is also a fair 

 export business. Planers are remaining in the market as a result of the 

 very active building campaign, making for a steady demand for flooring 

 and interior trims. Prices are stiffer than they have been, due to the fact 

 that movement from the far distant producing centers is slow, and stocks 

 on hand which can move are carrying a little premium. Collections are 

 reported as good. 



Demand is showing no better for red and white oak, walnut, poplar, 

 maple, gum and ash. Mahogany demand is also good, and there is just a 

 little demand for elm, beech and sycamore. Hickory is dull. Movement 

 of walnut has been especially good since prices lowered. 



BEAUMONT 



There were some slight advances recorded in the hardwood market dur- 

 ing the past week, and a marked firmness on all itoms. Woods that go 

 into the manufacture of automobiles were in greater demand, while material 

 inr flooring and furniture was very active. 



The severe car shortage is Interfering a great deal with shipment, some- 

 mills not getting over one-fifth of their normal requirements. With the 

 I Top movement, coal distribution and cane harvesting coming on, manu- 

 f:icturers have very little hope of an improvement in this respect for several 

 weeks to come, certainly not before the first of the year. 



Mills are having excellent weather in which to operate, and this will be 

 rellected on the production for the past month. 



TORONTO 



-i feature of the Canadian hardwood market is the lively demand for 

 I'iinadian hardwoods reported from New England. The end of the textile 

 strike there has brought about a real awakening in all lines of business, 

 :iccording to reports reaching local lumbermen. The textile mills arc in 

 need of wood for spindles and large orders have been received within the 

 past few days, with the result that the Ontario hardwood men are barely 

 able to make prompt delivery on account of the rush of buying. This 

 recent activity has accounted for a large quantity of dry stocks of hard- 

 wood lumber in the hands of the Ontario trade. Canadian selling is of 

 moderate proportions. The farm implement makers are buying some 

 lumber, and furniture manufacturers are taking some mixed car lots. The 

 automobile trade has been slow in developing but Is expected to enter the 



