HARDWOOD RECORD 



53 



=-< PITTSBURGH >•= 



Cold weatlicr and deep snows have put the lumber business quite a 

 little to the bad the past two weeks. Yard trade has been slow for tlu' 

 reason that all outside operations have stopped. Yard men loaded up In 

 .lauuary with enough lumber to carry them through the winter and they are 

 now waiting for sunshine to develop new building prospects. The building 

 situation Is greatly improved. There is little doubt but that trade in this 

 ine will be good this summer unless labor difllcultles hinder. Inquiries 

 rum furniture, automobile and implement concerns are fairly good, but 

 these manufacturers do not seem to be ordering stock for more than three 

 iiDDths ahead. Railroad business is very quiet. Little is expected in this 

 ii.e before the Interstate Commerce Commission's decision on freight rat''s 

 's handed down. 



=-< BALTIMORE >•- 



The hardwood trade of this section continues quiet, with the demand 

 very moderate and prices in the main easy. The failing off in the move- 

 ment noted last mouth Is still in evidence and for the present the indica- 

 tions do not encourage expectations that a marked expansion in the require- 

 ments will take place before long. At the same time it Is to be said that 

 ihe mills are also hampered In their work, the production being decidedly 

 . urtailed by reason of cold weather and deep snow. While Baltimore got off 

 luckier than some of the other sections, the actual need for lumber has been 

 restricted to an appreciable extent and this has helped to emphasize the 

 ■ luiet. As for the northern sections, business there has come to a complete 

 stundstili, and perhaps weeks will elapse before traffic becomes entirely nor- 

 ma! again. Work of all kinds in which hardwoods are used has been inter- 

 lered with, so that the curtailment of production is not likely to have thp 

 ■Ifect It miglit exert if the sources of distribution had remained open. A 

 shutdown at the mills for an indefinite period also seems inevitable, and it 



s therefore to be said that at least no further additions to the supplies will 

 "■ made, with the probable result of causing congestion. 



The common grades of such woods as oak. poplar and chestnut are rela- 

 tively low in price, the offerings having been far larger than regard for 

 lirm values would have made desirable. .Most yards appear to have very 

 .iiiequate stocks on hand, and they are showing no eagerness to add to 

 I heir holdings. In many instances, as a matter of fact, there is a positive 

 r. fusal to entertain offers by salesmen. On the other hand, it is to be said 

 that no inherent weakness seems to affect the trade. In spite of the evl- 

 ihut hesitancy and the check upon the movement, the foundations of the 

 I'Usiness are seemingly firm, the holding back being due chiefly to a feeling 

 if uncertainty as to political developments. The belter grades of lumber 



!■( neither in excessive supply nor are they being unduly pushed, and the 

 luotatlons on them are fairly steady. The export trade reflects the un- 



itisfactory general conditions that prevail abroad, and liberal shipments 

 ii: ve kept supplies so large as to give the buyers in effect control of the 

 ; arket. Some of the shippers here say that their export business has 



'■■en reduced to about one-third of what it was last year, and if this policy 

 is generally pursued it should not be very long before an appreciable ira- 

 ITovement takes place. For the present consignment shipping is to be 

 strongly advised against as inviting serious losses ; in fact, caution and con- 



• ivatism are to be enjoined all along the line. 



=■< COLUMBUS >- 



The hardwood trade in Columbus ami (ciitnil Oliio territory has been 

 ruling steady during the past fortnight. There is a good demand for 

 stocks from both yardmen and purchasing agents of factories, and the 

 volume of business is ail that could be expected for the season. The ex- 

 inme cold weather which prevailed in the latter part of February and 

 • ally In March had the effect of making the market quiet. It stopped 

 iiuilding operations and made dealers slow in placing orders. 



One of the best features of the trade is the buying on the part of fat 

 toiies. Implement and vehicle concerns are buying steadily and they are 

 l>i< tty busy. Furniture concerns are expected to be in the market soon, 

 and buying on the part of automobile factories is also anticipated. Fac- 

 tory stocks are generally light. Stocks in the hands of dealers are not 

 viry large, but they are gradually accumulating, to be prepared for the 

 rush in the spring. The indications are very bright for active building 

 as soon as the weather breaks. Architects and contractors are busy flgur- 

 iig on plans. It is estimated that there will be about 18,000,000 In new 

 -tructure? erected in Columbus during the coming year. 



Shipments have been delayed to a certain extent by the wintry weather. 

 ■ Ill this condition is expected to be only temporary. Dry stocks In the 

 ii:inds of mill owners are not large. The feeling In hardwood circles is 

 -•• nerally good and collections sliow an improvement. 



Quartered and plain oak are both firm and the volume of business is 

 iiiir. There is a good demand for chestnut, especially sound wormy, which 

 Is exceptionally strong. Poplar is also moving well and stocks are not as 

 Inrge as formerly. Basswood and ash are strong and the entire list is 

 holding up well. 



-< CINCINNATI y- 



The gi'nrral market londitlons arc quiet, to say the least, just at this 

 time, so far as real business is concerned, but judging from the quantities 



