May 10, VJ21 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



61 



here things are on the mend. It is true that this improvement con- 

 tinues to ne unetiunlly distributed. Some are really having a surprising 

 improvement in demand and inquiry, considering general conditions, 

 whereas others fail to note any bettering in their business. The strike 

 of the building o|)cratives is still on, a fact which ties up practically all 

 new constr\irtion work in and about this city, and has done so since .Ian. 

 23 last. While directly allecting only the interior trim business, a fifth 

 or sixth of the total business here, it inuireetly has had riglit along a poor 

 effect on the market. But the chief field of hardwood consumption here 

 is with the manufacturing consumer, and It is with him that the Improve- 

 ment in demand and inquiry are being noted. This improvement is rather 

 unevenly distributed itself as among the different consumers of hardwoods. 

 The better demand is noted fnun the hardwood yards and the furniture 

 people chiefly an<l also the machiner.v makers, who use much poplar In the 

 plants. 



BALTIMORE 



There is a {^rowiujc belief among moinbers of the hurdwooil trade here 

 that some prosress toward more satisfactory conditions has been made 

 in the last few weeks, and that there is every indication of this progress 

 being continuous. In addition to the experience of one firm, which stated 

 that the inquiry was more active, another reported that it no longer was 

 prepared to accept any offer for lumber which might be submitted. This 

 firm said it was turning down al>out as many proposals as it accepted 

 because the prices named were not satisfactory. There has been a stiffening 

 in the quotations on poplar, for instance, sales made of late being closed 

 on a basis perhaps $5 higher than the law figure recorded. And further 

 recovery is confidently expected as soon as the purchasing power of the 

 country asserts itself in a somewhat more active manner. It is being 

 more and more realized that stocks of hardwood are not large, what with 

 many of the mills being operated at greatly reduced capacity. There is, oi 

 course, no steady stream of business, orders coming in spurts, as it were. 

 One or two days, perhaps, will bring out a number of them and then quiet 

 will again ensue, but always wifb yie periods of inactivity shorter and 

 those of activity longer. What is now regarded as holding back the demand 

 is the uncertainty with regard to various matters, the seaman's strike, the 

 threat of other labor troubles, and suspension of work by men in the build- 

 ing trades, the general hesitancy to engage in operations calling for the 

 use of lumber perhaps on account of the belief that prices may go lower, 

 and other similar general causes. 



COLUMBUS 



There is a marked improvement in the hardwood trade in Central Ohio 

 during the past fortnight. This is apparent both in increased business and 

 in a larger number of inquiries from all sources. As a result of the bettei 

 business a feeling of optimism is exhibited on all sides and it is believed 

 that the worst of the slump is over. Manufacturers and wholesalers are 

 of the opinion that there will be a continued improvement during the 

 spring and early summer. 



One of tlie best features of the trade is the larger orders received from 

 the retail trade. Dealers' stocks are rather low and there is a disposition 

 to replace them. This is noted lK)th from dealers in the city and in rural 

 sections. Strongest points in the market are first and seconds, oak, poplar, 

 chestnut and basswood. Hardwood flooring also shows a marked increase 

 in demand. l<^actories making furniture are now coming into the market 

 better. Automobile concerns arc operating with fuller force and are buy- 

 ing stocks. Implement and vehicle concerns are also making inquiries 

 preparatory to entering the market. Taking it all in all there is less 

 caution on the part of purchasers and a disposition to buy for a longer 

 time in the future. 



Prices are more steady, although there is still a rather wide spread. 

 Some low quotations are still heard, but these are not as frequent as for- 

 merly. Southwestern manufacturers are holding firmer and this has a 

 stabilizing effect on the entire trade. Shipments are coming out promptly 

 and there is a decided improvement in collections. Oak and poplar are 

 moving well. 



CINCINNATI 



Hardwoods constitute the one bright field here in the lumber business. 

 Trade is quite a little improved. Inquiries both from factories and dealers 

 are being received in larger numbers and a large majority of those received 

 are live ones. Factories, especially those making boxes, automobiles, im- 

 plements and furniture, are in the market for small orders. Most of the 

 dealers who sold hardwoods at low prices are about out of stock, and as a 

 result the buyers are forced to seek other sources for supplies. What 

 business is being placed now is benefiting those lumbermen who held this 

 stock, instead of sacrificing it in order to make sales when business was 

 slow. Dealers report that the higher grades are becoming more dillirult 

 to secure and they are predicting sharp increases unless this conditlmi 

 changes. The best tone since the market took its turn for the better is 

 manifest through the entire trade. Retailers are showing some activity, 

 although a few of them are holding out in hopes of lower prices. There is 

 a general feeling here that if demand continues to increase prices will 

 go up. Building construction is increasing, but to no great extent because 



A Few Bargains in Dry Hardwoods 



offered by 



Wheeler-Timlin Lumber Co. 



6/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. Basswood 10 cars 



6/4" No. 1 Com. & Btr. Maple . 10 cars 



6/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. Rock Elm 5 cars 



6/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. Soft Elm 5 cars 



4/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. Rock Elm- • 2 cars 



4/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. Soft Elm 2 cars 



\Vc arc sawing at both Wittenberg and Dorchester 



mills and can get out special items of Northern 



Hardwoods 



MAIN OFFICE, WAUSAU, WISCONSIN 



Foster-Latimer Lumber Co. 



OFFER THE FOLLOWING 



DRY HARDWOODS 



SOFT ELM 



No 2 & Btr. 4/4, ree. wdlhs. & leths 12 mos. dry 



No. 2 & Btr. 5/4, res. wdths. & leths li roos. dry 



No 2 & Btr. 6/4^ ree. wdlhs. & Ictlis 15 mos. dry 



(LareeLy No. 1 Common) 



No. 1 & Btr. 8/4. reg. wdths. & lcth» 5 mos. dry 



No. 1 & Btr. 10/4, reg. wJtha. & Igths l.'i mos. dry 



No 1 & Btr. i;/4. ree. wdtlis. & iBths 2 mos. dry 



No. 3 4/4. res. w.lthi, & Istlis 12 moa. dry 



No. 3 C/4, n-f. vvdtlis. & Isths 5 moa. dry 



WIRE, PHONE OR WRITE FOR PRICES 



MAIN OFFICE AND MILLS 

 MELLEN, WISCONSIN 



VESTAL LUMBER 

 & MFG. COMPANY 



INCORPORATED 



Soft Textured Oak 



Poplar 



Black Walnut 



Tenn. Red Cedar 



KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE 



BAND MILLS AT VESTAL 



A SUBURB OF KNOXVILLE 



FONDE, KY. 



