April 20, 1917 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



43 



furniture factories here. Hickory and asli are strong and tlie lower grades 

 of poplar are also in good demand. Elm and' maple are moving briskly. 

 Veneer manufacturers report a good trade, and box manufacturers sa.v 

 trtide is better than it was this time last year. Most of the large wood 

 consuming plants here continue to run on full time. Collections are good. 

 Lumber manufactUi'ers are getting in all the logs they want but prices are 

 high. Building operations are picking up and planing mills continue to run 

 on full time. Sash and door men report a steady business and yellow pine 

 dealers say the trade outlook is very flattering. Crop conditions are fairly 

 promising, farmers in this section arranging to plant an unusually large 

 acreage of corn during the coming season. The yield of wheat in this 

 section will average about one-half a normal crop, according to grain 

 experts. 



=-< MEMPHIS >• 



The hardwood market continues to occupy a strong position ant? prices 



are tending higher under the combined influence of the excellent demand 

 and the comparatively moderate offerings due to decreased production 

 during the past few months. The cost of everything entering into the 

 manufacture of southern hardwoods is increasing at a rapid rate and 

 this, too, is a factor making for higher prices for hardwood lumber itself. 

 Most members of the trade appreciate the broken condition of stocks in 

 their own hands as well as in the hands of consumers and distributers in 

 all parts of the country and it is a matter of little surprise to them that 

 the market continues to display such a strong undertone. The call is both 

 insistent and persistent for gum in all grades. In fact, it is difficult for 

 manufacturers to meet the demand for this class of lumber. The higher 

 grades are wanted in almost every direction while the box manufacturers 

 continue to absorb all the low-grade stock available. Veneers made of 

 gum are showing equal strength with sawn lumber. There is likewise 

 n large call for the lower grades of Cottonwood. The supply is limited 

 while the box people are hustling for all the dry stock they are able to 

 find. A good demand is reported for ash, hickory, elm and cypress, and 

 more movement is noted in the higher grades of quartered red and white 

 oak. Some manufacturers are quoting higher prices for the latter and 

 are able to secure the advance. Plain oak in both red and white in the 

 higher grades has been moving well for some time at better prices, and 

 ^n excellent call continues for common oak in both plain and quartered. 

 The American Oak Manufacturers' Association is showing marked ac- 

 tivity and new outlets for oak are being opened. Government inquiries for 

 various southern hardwoods are beginning to be received but so far com- 

 paratively little business has actually been put through. Liimber interests, 

 however, have little doubt that there will be large needs to be filled from 

 this source. Transportation conditions present the most trying problem 

 the lumbermen are facing at the moment. They are threatened with a 

 radical advance in hardwood rates by the same carriers that persist in 

 their failure to supply more than 25 per cent of the equipment needed for 

 the prompt handling of shipments of hardwood lumber. 



=-< ST. LOUIS >- 



The hardwood situation is showing signs of improvement and there is a 

 very satisfactory and seasonable demaod for all items on the list. From 

 now on. there is every prospect that this condition of affairs will continue. 

 Prices which have been steady for quite a while, are now showing signs of 

 advancement. Dry stocks are rather scarce and those having good sized 

 stocks on hand are having no difficulty in disposing of their holdings at 

 satisfactory prices. The principal item being called for is white oak. 

 Quartered stock is also in very good demand. Poplar is also in excellent 

 request with the market considerably stronger than it has been for some 

 time. Gum is holding up quite well, with prices getting better. Cottonwood 

 and elm are moving in a very satisfactory manner. Cypress conditions are 

 also satisfactory to the local distributors. The only drawback being experi- 

 enced is the difficulty in getting cars to move stock. This is also reported 

 at the points in the producing territory as well as in this section. Orders 

 cannot be filled with any degree of certainty. Prices are strong and there 

 is a tendency toward advancement. 



^-< MILWAUKEE >= 



With the prosperity of Wisconsin flying in the face of morbid war pre- 

 <lictions, the hardwuod market remains firm with a promise of advancing. 

 The supply has been engaged and consumed as rapidly as the mills could 

 forward it to points of utilization, despite a slight tendency toward re- 

 luctance on the part of manufacturers to produce over the demand. As- 

 surance that the economic condition of the country is not in danger of dis- 

 ruption lias been warming the I)usiness relations of the state consider- 

 ably during the past weeK An opening toward the West characterized 

 freight conditions during the past week, with no sign of relief toward the 

 East or North. 



Labor is scarce in the realms of wood manufacture and is exceeded 

 nowhere but in the forests. Wages have gone still higher with no loiterers 

 about to be attracted by them. Many companies have decided to oper- 

 ate crews all sunnier. In the san-mills, too, the difliculty of getting men 

 to take care of the large amount of work is distressing. The only hope 

 seems to lie. In paying such wages as no human being can possibly refuse. 



Walnut 



Of Character and Color 



Manufactured at Kansas City, U. S. A. 



Large Stock of All Grades and Thickness 



Thirty-five years' experience 



IN WALNUT ONLY 



Prompt Shipment, and 

 Guaranteed Inspection 



FRANK PURCELL 



515 Dwight Building, KANSAS CITY. MO. 



You Can See Logs Like These 

 on Our Yard Any Day 



CTIMCmVT VENEER AND LUMBER 

 OlllYlijUil COMPANY, INC. 



p. O. Box 1015 



Memphis, Tenn. 



MANUFACTURERS 



Hardwood Lumber, Rotary Cut 

 Veneers, Rotary Cut Gum Faces, 

 Cross Banding and Cores. 



AU Tlire* of U« Wai Be Benefited if Y<«« MenUon HARDWOOD RECORD 



