Aiuil 



1017 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



41 



future. Such necessities would manifestly clean up available stock such 

 as were required for the work and without doubt call for increased special 

 production of some kinds which will influence the market both as to values 

 and. the withdrawal of much stock needed in the factories here. In addi- 

 tion to prospective activity in lumber of this kind, there is noted rising de- 

 mands and prices on cabinet woods especially in black walnut and in a 

 somewhat more moderate degree in cherry, quartered and plain oak. With 

 all the prevailing limitations, which have been referred to in late reports, 

 the volume of business in board feet averages only fair and considerably 

 less than former normal standards. 



-< BALTIMORE >■- 



The hardwood situation continues to be a mixture of strength and draw- 

 backs. Among the strong features are a good run of orders and many in- 

 quiries, with prices on the increase. The weak spots include a continued 

 scarcity of railroad cars and freight embargoes that interfere to a very 

 serious extent with the distribution of stocks. The wholesalers who desire 

 to get lumber to take care of the wants of their customers find themselves 

 hampered at almost every turn. With them it is not a question of finding 

 takers for lumber, at the right price, but of securing supplies that are at 

 all adequate. They could do a much larger business but for the limitations 

 which the prevailing state of alt'airs impos?s. According to some accounts, 

 the railroads are making progress in the direction of an abatement of em- 

 bargoes, but. as far as the South is concerned at least, no marked relief 

 is experienced, and conditions are stated to be about as bad as they were 

 before. The millm^n for their part have to deal with the grave problem of 

 a shortage of labor, which is becoming more ncute every day. Now that 

 they could go ahead, with the weather and the slate of the roads favor- 

 able, they are halted by a lack of workers, which is so pronounced tliat 

 plants fall far below their capacity in production. In not a few* instances 

 this reduction is estimated at two-thirds, though generally speaking the 

 deficiency is probably far lighter. To the scarcity of labor is added in- 

 crease in wages and in other items connecte<l with the cost of production, 

 which make it imperative to mark up the figures. No one now expects 

 any recessions in values, and a disposition prevails to place orders wher- 

 ever and whenever an opportunity presents itself. The hardwood men 

 here are busy getting in stocks purchased some time ago, and some of them 

 assert that the movement has widened very considerably. On the other 

 hand, the.v are also shipping out Irmber about as fast as it comes in. and 

 continue to be on the lookout for stocks that are offered at anything like 

 reasonable figures. This tendency to augment holdings applies to every 

 item on the list almost, the high grades having attracted increased atten- 

 tion along with the rest, as it is largely a question of getting lumber at all. 

 In tlic export trade of course there is general unsettlement, and practi- 

 call.v all of the old conditions have ceased to exist. Such needs as are to 

 be met run along special lines, mere or less connected with the conduct 

 of the war. ami the entire trade is regulated by the foreign go^-ernments. 

 The shipments that ran be made yield very attractive returns, but shipping 

 facilities are limited and special requirements are operative. 



=-< COLUMBUS > 



TSu^iiics^ in hardwood oirclps has bpon exci otliiiiily l>risk ilurinp the past 

 fortuiiiht. Buying is well distributed over the countiy and is about equally 

 divided between retailers and factories. The tone of the market is good 

 with quotations on the upward grade. Future prospects are bright. 



Factories making boxes and furniture are the best customers, although 

 considerable buyiqg is also done by vehicle and implement concerns. Fac- 

 tory purchasing agents are endeavoring to accumulate stocks of hardwoods 

 to guard against emergencies. All lines of manufacturing are active and the 

 consumption of lumber is correspondingly good. 



Retail stocks are not large and with good building prospects ahead 

 dealers are trying to secure a surplus. The car shortage and railroad con- 

 gestion are holding up shipments which is the worst feature of the trade. 

 Embargoes have been announced on many of the roads and the principal 

 troubles of the whoU^saler now are traffic affairs. Despite the war declara- 

 tion there are many ^building projects going forward and others are being 

 planned.- Architects and contractors are busy figuring on plans and speci- 

 fications. Advances of from SI to $2 have been announced and all have 

 been maintained. In fact premiums are freely offered if delivery can be 

 promised. Collections are generally good and buying for the future is now^ 

 more active than formerly. 



Quartered oak is one of the strong points. Plain oak is also in good 

 demand with prices considerably higher than formerly. Chestnut is one of 

 the strong points and the lower grades are especially active. Basswood is 

 strong and the same is true of ash. Other hardwoods are unchanged. 



-< INDIANAPOLIS > 



Trade with the hardwood manufacturers has been excellent during the 

 last two weeks and indications are that an unusual demand will exist dur- 

 ing the next few months. Manufacturers are being handicapped somewhat 

 on account of a shortage of skilled labor, although high wages are being 

 offered experienced men. Collections are being made easily, indicating that 

 subsidiary industries are also in a flourishing condition. 



The demand from some consuming plants is abating somewhat, hut 

 renewed demands are coming from rather unexpected sources. Announce- 



A. REAL BARGAIN 



BONE PRr'sOFT ElM 



50 M" Feet l" No. 2. Com. a rd Bet 

 XKis "will run about a? fbIJov«-: 



SO^o Ii<> 1 Coia. 

 KalsdiceNoS Com.. 



Itlvgi'K'S abouta.s' follow^' 



2i°/o -4.- -to 8', 



In. \pfiAtKs aboirt as folloWr 



\^oic 4<a.ivdS" 



■lo;/e 7"^ and wider 



Ideally ihi« is itvigK-ty veil made lumber, 

 a.nd is-.already -to ihip^buiyou have got 

 -to act Quickly 



PAYJON SVilTH LUMBER COMPANY 



PLYMOUTH BUILDING, WMEAPOLlS.Mim.. 



The following stock is in excellent 

 condition, ready for immediate shipment 



4/4 No. 3 Elm & Ash 24,000 



S/4 No. 3 Elm & Ash 35,000 



6/4 No. 3 Elm & Ash 74,000 



8/4 No. 3 Elm & Ash 3,000 



4/4 No. 1 & Btr. Birch 51,000 



4/4 No. 2 Birch 250,000 



4/4 No. 3 Birch 202,000 



5/4 No. 3 Birch 28,000 



4/4 No. 3 Basswood 25.000 



6/4 No. 3 Birch ■ 8.000 



4/4 No. 3 Maple 1,000,000 



5/4 No. 3 Maple 387,000 



Ideal 



Hardwood 



Sawmill 



Are putting In pile every montti 

 two and one-half million feet of 

 eholoeet Northern Michigan Hardwoods 



Stack Lumber Company 



Masonville, Michigan 



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



