May 10, 1917 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



41 



of their forces. In addition, the distribution is perhaps as much impaired 

 as before. No real progress has been made in solving the difficulties of the 

 shippers. Embargoes persist and delays are numerous as well as indefi- 

 nite. Cars cannot be obtained in adequate numbers, and the buyers do not 

 know when they will get stocks even after they have been started on the 

 way. It is largely a question of obtaining lumber, and the hardwood men 

 do not find it necessary in the least to go out in search of orders, these 

 coming in freely and unsolicited. Under the circumstances, it is only 

 natural that advances in the values would be offered ; in fact, the manu- 

 facturers of lumber must obtain more for their product. All divisions 

 of the trade are affected and the future affords no prospect of a material 

 change in conditions. Under the plan of a unification of the railroads 

 which has been worked out by the executives many of the passenger trains 

 are to be taken off and the locomotives thus released used to haul freight. 

 But this does not necessarily mean that the general run of shippers will 

 be any better off, the government requirements receiving first consideration 

 and all else being made subordinate thereto. There can be no doubt that 

 the extensive wooden shipbuilding program will call for great quantities of 

 lumber and that all the mills may be expected to keep busy. That fair 

 prices will prevail is also reasonably certain. Consequently, the outlook 

 for the lumber trade, at least during the war, is promising. 



=■< COLUMBUS > 



Strength is the chief feature of the hardwood trade in Columbus and 

 central Ohio territory. All jobbers report a good demand, which is about 

 equally distributed between factories and yards. The tone of the market 

 is excellent in every way and future prospects are bright. The entrance 

 of the United States into the war has stimulated buying instead of depress- 

 ing the market in any way. 



Factories making implements and vehicles are good customers. The 

 fact that farm production is attracting so much attention has stimulated 

 the manufacture of implements. Concerns making boxes and furniture 

 are also good customers. Factories are trying to accumulate stocks in 

 order to guard against an emergency, and the car shortage has kept them 

 from accomplishing their purpose to any great extent. Yard stocks are 

 generally light and with rather bright building prospects, dealers are try- 

 ing to secure a surplus of certain items. 



The car shortage is apparently growing worse instead of better. Cumber 

 shipments from the South are delayed from a month to six weeks. Transit 

 cars are now practically unknown. Retailers are placing orders for ship- 

 ment during the latter part of May and early in June. Efforts of the gov- 

 ernment to shut out lumber shipments are meeting with opposition on the 

 part of jobbers. Collections are generally good, as money is easy- in mo^t 

 sections. 



Quartered oak is strong in every respect. Plain oak is also in good de- 

 mand and advances of about $1.50 per thousand have recently been an- 

 nounced. Chestnut is one of the strongest points in the trade and prices 

 continue strong in every section. Poplar is strong, especially the lower 

 grades. Basswood ind ash are both in good demand. Other hardwoods 

 are unchanged. 



=-< CINCINNATI >■- 



A slightly increased movement in hardwoods was noted in this market 

 within the past couple of weeks, but the general tone is considerably (iff. 

 Reports from surrounding points indicate a much more healthy condition 

 in the hardwood industry, but Cincinnati seems to have suffered more 

 through the lack of cars. Big government lumber orders arp not affecting 

 the local hardwood situation to any great extent, most of the government 

 requirements of recent date being for softwood for tent flooring, barracks, 

 etc. Double restriction features the market. Business in this city has bet-n 

 off all spring, with the furniture houses and building supply dealers the 

 chief sufferers. This has caused a slackening in the needs of the furniture 

 manufacturers, who complain that considerable stock is still being stored 

 In their warehouses, with the retailers complaining that they cannot move 

 near the usual quantity of goods this spring. 



Notwithstanding the let-up in the call from the furniture people, the 

 oak situation is most encouraging. All gains made by this wood a few 

 months ago, when it again became a leader in the hardwood list, have been 

 rigidly maintained. The demand is for all grades, and higher prices are 

 being realized. The supply is still greatly restricted, but when avaiial>Ie 

 most any oak finds ready buyers. Quarter-sawed white oak is realizing 

 the best prices, selling at considerably better than .^80 for firsts and sec- 

 onds, inch, while common inch is reported at better than $55. Plain rpd 

 oak firsts and seconds and also common have gained steadily in the last 

 few weeks both in demand and price. The supply of the latter is light. 

 with delivery very uncertain. Walnut has revi\ ed very materially, rpieiv- 

 ing a good deal of its impetus from gun manufacturers' requirements, (iuin. 

 red and sap. is selling in spirited fashion, and previous prices are w**!! 

 maintained. Lower grades are going well with the box concerns, whili.' 

 there has been a revival in the demand for this wood from the furniture 

 concerns. Cottonwood, ash and hickory and other southern hardwoods 

 are in fair request and moving about as well as the rest, not classed as 

 market leaders, while in the northern list, birch continues to gain favor in 

 ^this district. Maple is vieing with birch for interior decorative effects 

 and flooring. 



Have you seen any better Walnut logs than these* 



' I ^ HEY all grew right in Indiana where 

 '*' hardwoods have always held the 

 choicest farm lands. The best growth of 

 timber as %vell as the best yield of wheat 

 comes from good soil. The soundness of 

 the log-ends shows that they fed on the 

 fat of the land. My 



Indiana Oak 



comes from the same soil 



CHAS. H. BARNABY 



Greencastle. Indiana 



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. 



All Tkree of U» Will Be Benefited if You Mention HARDWOOD RECORD 



