April 2.j. 1021 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



65 



Dot t^elieved there will be much activity in those camps uow until l:Ucr 

 on In the summer when the crops are laid by. 



CLEVELAND 



Somewhat steadier position for hardwoods in this nuirket is ntited in 

 the last fortnight, following the spurt to building through April. This 

 spurt is largely due to the anxiety of contractors and builders to make 

 as nearly complete the jobs they have on hand before a general strike 

 in the building trades takes place. While there is no hint from the 

 organized labor faction as to just what will be done with the decision 

 of building trades employers over the hitter's proposal to reduce wages, 

 it is not denied that there is good chance of a long drawn out tight, with 

 the possibility of a walkout by labor. Hence the building fraternity is 

 taking no chances. Hence, likewise the handlers of hardwoods are com- 

 ing into their own again, even if only temporarily. At best the outlet 

 for hardwoods for interior finish and building purposes is still below 

 the season. There is more than enough material to, meet all comers and 

 a good deal more new business as well. The better intluence has been 

 sutEclent, however, to steady the market, and while there is no change 

 in the official schedule, there likewise is less disposition on the part of 

 holders to cut prices, which was somewhat in evidence some weeks back. 

 Efforts to interest the manufacturing trades in taking additioual quan- 

 tities of material at this time have not been entirely unsuccessful, but 

 the outlet in this direction still is quite limited, as the automobile trade 

 and furniture producers apparently have plenty of material with which 

 to turn out new production, while the demand for either of these items 

 is small for the time of the year. 



MEMPHIS 



Inquiry among prominent manufacturers of southern hardwoods in Mem- 

 phis and the Memphis territory develops the information that not more 

 than 10 per cent of the total stock of hardwood lumber represents firsts 

 and seconds. Some estimates range as low as 5 per cent. None goes over 

 10 per cent, and it is the consensus of opinion among those with whom 

 the correspondent of Hardwood Recohd has talked that the average is 

 around 8 to 9 per cent. It has been noted for some time that a relative 

 shortage of the higher grades existed, but it is quite apparent from the 

 foregoing that there is also an intrinsic shortage of this class of material. 

 Furthermore, it may be noted, in the same connection that current pro- 

 duction is engaged largely on logs more or less damaged by insects and 

 exposure,- and that the percentage of output of firsts and seconds there- 

 from is extremely light. Very few manufacturers are working on fresh 

 logs, and their total cut, to say nothing of the upper grades, is relatively 

 small. 



As a result of the knowledge that holdings of firsts and seconds are 

 extremely small, in proportion to the total, it may be stated that there is 

 material stiffening of prices thereon. Some manufacturers are putting 

 prices on their lumber which they know will prevent it from moving, but 

 they are taking this course for the reason that they do not care to sacri- 

 fice their stock. It is impossible to purchase any high grade lumber at 

 prices current even three weeks ago, and, in some instances, the present 

 level of prices is substantially above the low established late in February 

 and early in March. Inquiry for the better grades is Increasing, as it 

 becomes apparent that offerings are small, and members of the trade are 

 inclined to anticipate a further appreciation in values. Perhaps the 

 greatest shortage at the moment is in plain red and white oak and plain 

 and quarter sawn red gum. Some manufacturers have practically noth- 

 ing to offer In these grades and the majority have comparatively little. 



OITerings of No. 1 common plain oak and the same grade of plain and 

 quarter .sawn red gum, also, are considerably smaller than heretofore. 

 Manufacturers of furniture and fiooring have recently taken considerable 

 quantities of these grades, and prices thereon are somewhat better. Floor- 

 ing manufacturers, too, are using much No. 2 common oak, and there is a 

 fair miscellaneous Inquiry for Nos. 2 and 3 common lumber generally. 

 Altogether, the tone of the market is appreciably better and the level of 

 prices is quite well above the more recent average. 



LOUISVILLE 



Business with the Louisville hardwood trade is better, there being 

 more orders, but much business is still being accepted at what is declared 

 by some hardwood operators as "give away prices." Inquiries are better 

 and buying larger, but prices are still too low. The demand is largely 

 for firsts and seconds, but as firsts and seconds are almost cleaned out, 

 such inquiries are not considered as business. It is being pointed out 

 that many concerns sacrificed their good lumber on low prices, and 

 haven't been able to supply on a better market value, whereas demand 

 for their low grades is dull. There is plenty of No. 1 common and under 

 grades on the market. Oak is more active although No. 1 common plain 

 oak is offered as low as $40 ; with Is and 2s quotetl at around $90. 

 Quartered oak Is and 2s are now quoted at around $150, and sales are 

 a question of having the material to deliver. Gum is fine in Is and 2s. 

 plain red being quoted at $80 ; and quartered at $100. Furniture manu- 

 facturers are taking advantage of the present low market, appear to have 

 confidence in prices, and are buying more freely. They realize that there 

 Is very little chance of prices being any lower, whereas thev mav go 



May we quote you on 

 our present stocks of 

 Southern Hardwoods 



Oak Poplar 



Chestnut Ash 



WILUABIS LUMBER CO. 



MANUFACTURERS 



BAND mills: 



rAYETTVlLLE.TENN. 

 BASS.ALA. 



FAVETTVIX.LE ,TEHK. 



Tennessee Red Cedar 



^AROMATIC) 



Basswood Maple 



Elm Walnut 



OTHER HARDWOODS 



J. V. Stimson & Co. 



OWENSBORO 



KENTUCKY 



Regular Width and Lengths; Dry 



White Ash Com. & Bet. 4/4 to 



Beech Log Run 4/4 to 



Chestnut Com. & Bet. 



Elm Log Run 4/4 to 



Red or Sap Gum . . . Com. & Bet. 4/4 to 



Hickory No. 1 Com. 4/4 to 



Maple Log Run 4/4 to 



Qtd. White Oak... All Grades Y^" to 



Qtd. Red Oak All Grades 3/4 to 



PI. White Oak All Grades 5/8 to 



PI. Red Oak All Grades 3/4 to 



Poplar All Grades 5/8 to 



Qtd. Sycamore Log Run S/8 to 



Walnut All Grades 5/8 to 



16/4 



8/4 



4/4 



16/4 



8/4 



16/4 



16/4 



8/4 



8/4 



16/4 



16/4 



8/4 



4/4 



8/4 



You will like our careful method of handling 

 orders, either domestic or export for mixed 

 or straight car load shipments. 



BAND MILLS 



Owensboro, Ky. Campbellsville, Ky. 



