HARDWOOD RECORD 



55 



tlio.v cnrrlotl large stocks tlicy put tn Insistent cnlls for sblpment by rail- 

 road. flmiliiR It Impossible to get tlie lunil'.r from their own assortments, 

 and cnleu'latlnB that cars could be shunted to points where the lumber 

 was needed or sufficiently near such points to meet the Immediate wants. 

 I't he sure, the situation has Improved since then. Much of the snow that 

 proved such an embarrassment has disappeared, and where there are good 

 niads or other thoroughfares to drive along, the embargo has been to n 

 large e.\tent raised. In the country sections the deep mud that succeeded 

 the snow serves as an obstacle that still troubles the trade. The mills 

 especially experience difficulty In getting lumber to railroads, and other 

 activities that Involve hauling are Interfered wltli. This tends to lessen 

 nmterlally the volume of lumber available for distribution and imposes a 

 check upon the movement which has here and there caused a favorable 

 reaction In prices. In the main, however, the returns are not especially 

 attractive at this time, and It Is altogether likely that the general business 

 situation will have to take on a decidedly brisker tone before the quotations 

 on lumber work back to where they stood last year. The reduction in some 

 items is not large, being covered by ?1 per 1.000 feet, as in the case of 

 certain kinds of poplar. Sound wormy chestnut is also quite steady at 

 prices nearly the same as those that prevailed during the greater part of 

 191."!. .\s for No. 1 common chestnut, that is a different matter, this 

 grade having eased off very considerably and being in very much restricted 

 call. Oak is likewise easier, though the returns realized are in the main 

 sufficiently attractive to bring out stocks, it has been the indifferent 

 demand rather than the large offerings that has affected values disadvan- 

 tageously. It does not appear that the mills generally have extensive 

 assortments on band, and any decided increase in the distribution would 

 soon bring about something like a scarcity. The buyers have not needed 

 stocks and they have shown a marked indifference about entering into 

 new commitments. To the rather sluggish home demand has been added 

 'luiet in the export trade. Consignment shipments have so congested a 

 majority of the foreign markets that the buyers there hold out for low 

 prices which the shippers cannot entertain, and the situation abroad 

 r'-rimins in bad shape, with poplar very dull and with the necessity for 

 ■ iirtailing the forwardings so obvious that the foreign movement is much 

 smaller than last year at this time. 



< COLUMBUS >• 



Improvement all along the line is reported in the hardwood trade in 

 I'olumbus and central Ohio. There is better buying both from retailers and 

 f.-ictories and the tone of the market is better than for some time. The 

 Iirice list generally is well maintained and there arc few cases of cutting 

 to force trade. The prospects for the future are believed to be good and 

 a lively trade is anticipated for the coming few months. 



Yardmen are gradually accumulating stocks to be prepared for the 

 spring rush. As the winter breaks many building operations will be started 

 and this will mean activity among the dealers. Plans and specifications 

 liave been prepared for a large number of new structures, including bus!- 

 "I ss blocks, office buildings and apartments. Dwellings are also promi- 

 iM lit in the list of new buildings projected. Yard stocks are not large and 



ilers are loath to accumulate them just at this time. Purchasing 

 iits for factories are also in the market for larger orders. This is 



i"-cially true of furniture, vehicle and implement concerns. The feeling 

 HI manufacturing circles shows a marked improvement and this is reflected 

 ill better orders for materials. Automobile factories are buying wide sizes 

 :ir this time. 



Dry stocks in the hands of mill owners are not large and this is taken 

 IS an indication of better quotations. In fact, every change made recently 

 has been toward higher levels. Shipments are coming out bettor now 

 since the niilri'ad congestion is passing away. Collections are also improv- 

 ing in most sections of the country. 



Hoth quartered and plain oak are strong and the movement is good. 

 I'riies are firm and inclined to advance. There is also a good demand 

 ^'-r chestnut, especially sound wormy. Prices on the lower grades have 

 -liown strength recently. Poplar is another wood that is moving better 

 and stocks are not as large as formerly. Basswood and ash are strong and 

 other hardwoods are unchanged. 



=-< CINCINNATI >-= 



!'.''tti-r weatlicr has enabled yai-.I iim n tn iiandle stock to a much better 

 advantage and there is much sliipiiing as a consequence. Dealers admit 

 that business is not just right by any means, but there is a very healthy 

 tone to the market conditions and tliey are not a bit alarmed over the 

 ' "kwardness up to this, time, believing that when the consundng [ilants 



-in to run, which Is fully expected before long, thert? will be plenty of 

 iness, as all plants are carrying very small stocks and will have to 

 >'ii.\ if they do any business at all. Plain oak Is, as usual, the steadiest 

 selli-r, and all grades are moving well. Quartered oak Is doing very well 

 but could improve. The good grades of red gum are still very slow, hut 

 dealers expect a better movement in this wood before the midsummer 

 period is reached. Sap gum sells fairly well and shows some sign of 

 Improvement. There is some improvement noted in the movement of 

 *'" better grades of poplar and the price remains firm. The usual move 



lit In low grades, wliich has been heavy, continues, and prices on this 



I'll' are stiffening. Manufacturers claim there Is a mvich better futtire 

 iji poplar this year than there appears to be and they arc well satisfied 

 with till- progress that the w„od Is niakliig, 'I'll.- inovcin.-nt in all grades 



Mahogany and 

 Circassian 



Lumber & Veneers 



^ The largest assortment of finest figured 

 Mahogany Logs, Lumber and Veneers in 

 the country can be found at the Chicago 

 plant of C. L. Willey. 



^ We are just in receipt of fifteen cars of 

 remarkably superior Circassian Walnut 

 Logs, large size, well-figured and of good 

 color, which are now being cut into 

 Veneers. 



^ A visit or correspondence from discrim- 

 inating buyers of all varieties of fine Im- 

 ported and Domestic Cabinet Woods in 

 Lumber and Veneer is solicited. 



^ You will not only find the Willey ware- 

 houses well stocked with a superb collec- 

 tion of Circassian, Mahogany, Vermilion, 

 Black Walnut and other fancy foreign 

 and domestic lumber and veneers, but 

 buyers are assured of prompt and pains- 

 taking service, and a quality of product 

 not usually obtainable, 



t| To visit the plant take Blue Island Ave. 

 car at the postofhce to Robey Street, 



C. L. WILLEY, Chicago 



Largest Fancy Wood Veneer 

 and Lumber producing plant in the world 



