January 25, IVl'J 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



47 



will be a lot of building and construction projects put out for bids withiu 

 the next few weeks. At present, most buyers of hardwood seem to be 

 loaded up, and yards especially are not in need of lumber and feel that 

 it is best for them to hold oft until the trend of prices is more surely fixed. 

 Most hardwood wholesalers are staying close to their offices and only a few 

 road men are out this month. The manufacturing trade in some lines, such 

 as automobiles and furniture, will take considerable lumber in the early 

 spring, it is expected. Prices on all hardw^oods are very high at present. 

 The demand for oak continues much the best feature of the hardwood 

 situation. 



-< BOSTON y^ 



The hardwood situation in New England is marked by a slight increase 

 in inquiry, judged by many of the trade as a "feeling out" by the buyers ; 

 the numbers of orders actually placed is still very small. While most 

 of the mills and dealers are holding strong on whatever stock they have 

 at their disposal, there are a few instances and many reports of moderate 

 concessions from the prices at the closing of the war. Weak purchasing 

 would naturally account for this action, but there are so many well-known 

 factors of cost and restricted production that most of the dealers claim 

 to see no basis for general reduction in prices. 



=< BALTIMORE ^ — 



The hardwood situation here remains rather quiet, the effect of the end 

 of the year inactivit.v being still upon the trade and there having been 

 no opportunity as yet to get down to a vigorous pursuit of business. Many 

 of the members are still engaged with the details connected with the clos- 

 ing of the year's activities and the opening of new accounts, with inven- 

 ' tories and the like, and the soliciting of orders has been in a measure 

 neglected, though, of course, all inquiries that came in received prompt 

 attention. It is altogether possible and even probable that the difference 

 of opinion in the trade as to the developments of the relatively near future 

 serves to defer calls for lumber, some of the hardwood men, chiefly buyers, 

 taking the view that the quotations will ease off or even undergo a very 

 <lecided drop before long, while others are just as sanguine, if not more 

 so, that the prevailing range of prices will be maintained. They base 

 such expectations upon the fact that so far nothing has occurred to cut 

 down to any marked extent the cost of production, and before this is 

 done, the producers will be unable to make material concessions, except 

 at losses. Moreover, the last week has brought a considerable revival 

 In interest, and a very gratifying number of orders have been taken, which 

 naturally encourages the sellers to hold out for the list as it has existed for 

 some time. These new orders are accepted as an indication that the stocks 

 in the hands of the users are short, and the same thing can be said for 

 the mills, few of which have assortments that exceed very moderate pro- 

 portions. Lumber in all grades is to be had, to be sure, but in no grades 

 are the holdings large; so that very little would be required to exhaust 

 them. The production has been held down a long time for one reason or 

 another, chief of them having been the scarcity of labor ; and there has 

 not yet been time to recruit working forces and effect satisfactorily 

 efficient organizations. At least until this is done, a decided increase in 

 the output is not to be looked for ; so that an absence of real pressure 

 upon the market for months is assured. Thus far the winter has been 

 extremely mild, and if the law of averages holds good in point of weather, 

 the hardwood mills face much cold and snow, with consequent checks upon 

 the production and the movement. All of these considerations should 

 have their weight in determining values, it is urged. As far as the foreign 

 trade is concerned, a beginning in the expected revival is yet to be made, 

 and the supposed heavy requirements needed for reconstruction purposes 

 abroad are still to assert themselves. The bars against imports into the 

 United Kingdom and other countries remain down and when they will 

 be raised no one can tell. 



=-< COLUMBUS >■ 



The hardwood trade in central Ohio territory continues firm in every 

 particular. Buying on the part of retailers is better and factory demand 

 is also holding up well. The tone of the market shows considerable 

 improvement since the holiday period when inventories were made. These 

 Inventories showed that dealers' stocks are not large and that they will 

 t)e compelled to increase them In order to take care of the expected spring 

 trade. 



Indications point to a rather active building season when the weather 

 opens. Architects and contractors are busy figuring on plans and specifica- 

 tions for business blocks and dwellings. Retail stocks are not large and 

 there is a tendency to increase them. Rural dealers are probably the best 

 customers at this time. Manufacturing plants are buying better as their . 

 reserve stock of hardwoods is not large. Orders are coming mostly from 

 plants making agricultural implements and vehicles. Buying on the part 

 of furniture dealers is expected in the near future. 



The price list is well maintained all along the line. Few reports of 

 cutting in order to force trade are heard. Dealers realize that lower prices 

 will not stimulate buying to any extent, and the tendency is to maintain 

 present levels. Shipments are coming out well, as there is no congestion 

 or "car shortage reported. The tendency is to increase orders and take 

 a chance. 



WE WANT YOUR ORDERS" 



OAK— POPLAR— CHESTNUT 



Soft Texture 



Virginia Stock 



OAK DIMENSION, PINE DIMENSION 



The Kerns Lumber Co., Roanoke, Va. 



PALMER & PARKER COMPANY 



TEAK MAHOGANY ebony 



ENGLISH OAK UFMFFDC DOMESTIC 



CIRCASSIAN WALNUT VtlNttKa HARDWOODS 



103 Medford Street, Charlestown Dist. 

 BOSTON, MASS. 



War & Reconstruction 



1860-70 



And Its Relation to 

 the PEACE PERIOD 



Write for particulars 



BROOKMIRE ECONOMIC SERVICE 



56 PINE STREET, NEW YORK 



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I SHOOT IT AT US \ 



j Your Inquiry for | 



I 4/4 to 8/4 Plain Red and White Oak. | 



I -.- .- 4/4 to 12/4 Cypress. | 



I 4/4 and 5/4 Gum. | 



4/4 to 12/4 Ash. I 



6/4 to 1 0/4 Hickory. I 



6/4 and thicker j 



Oak and Hickory Dimension Stock | 



LET us DEMONSTRATE THE I 



REAL MEANING OF SERVICE m 



Memphis Hardwood I 



Flooring Company I 



All Three of Us WUl Be Benefited if You Mention HARDWOOD RECORD 



