jMiiiiary 10. I'.HS 



HARDWOOD RECOKU 



47 



liii>U),'lit opiTutliins at mills mul in Ici^'cliiK c'«iii|is t>i ii stnn<lstiil. or ratlii'r. 

 tlu'.v liavo not yet bocn ri'snnu'd liicausc of t'liniatic conditions. Many 

 aitlvitii's were brouRht to a lialt by the below zero temperatures, anil the 

 produetlon of lumber is certain to be seriously curtailed. I.iues that call 

 for the use of lumber are also more or less affected, so that the volume 

 of business offering may be set down as having undergone material cur- 

 tailment. Kor such stocks as can be delivered, of course, excellent prices 

 are obtained. The difBcultles of transportation alone would snfflcc to 

 maintain the level of values at high ttgures, for some wants must be met 

 regarilless of what the cost of supplies may be. The tendency of the trade. 

 however. Is toward concentration upon war activities, with the government 

 as an Increasingly important factor in tlie market. In some directions the 

 existing state of affairs makes for good business, the high wages earned 

 by persons engaged in war work putting them in a position to spend 

 freely, and the concerns that cater to such wants arc in the market for 

 lumber. The auto truck industry, for instance, was never before in such 

 nourishing state. With the railroads curtailing their service and many 

 lines embargoed, transportation is being increasingly taken up by persons 

 with trucks. It is no uncommon thing for shipments by auto truck to be 

 made from Baltimore as far as Philadelphia, the rates being so high as to 

 make the business very attractive. The truck builders, therefore, are 

 among the industries that are deriving big iieneflts, and their needs in the 

 way of hardwood lumber are accordingly heavy. Many other activities 

 ar<' similarly affected, and it is therefore largely a case of the extent to 

 which shipments are permitted to go out, whether the hardwood men will 

 prosper or not. With reasonably good transportation facilities, the outlook 

 for the hardwoods may be regarded as excellent, though further readjust- 

 ments will be necessary. 



=-< COLUMBUS >-- 



The hardwood trade in central < )liio territory has ruled ratlier Quiet 

 during the past week because of scMni-annual inventories. Stocks in the 

 hands of retailers are not very large, and it is expected that dealers will 

 be in the market for replenished stocks during .lanuary. <Jenerally speak- 

 ing the tone of the market is fair and future prospects are not consid- 

 ered bad. 



One of the worst features of the trade at this time Is the inaldlity of 

 railroads to move shipments. Congestion at terminal points and lack 

 of motive power has held up deliveries to a large extent, and consequently 

 prospective purchasers arc going slow in placing orders. This applies both 

 to dealers and factories. If the railroad sittiation is improved under 

 government control, orders will soon be forthcoming in large numbers. 



Factories making implements and boxes are good customers. Little 

 buying Is being done l>y furniture factories, as it is the time of the mid- 

 winter shows. Surplus stocks of hardwoods in the hands of manufac- 

 turers are not large. Buying for retail purposes Is mostly for Immediate 

 shipment, or rather when the railroads are able to handle it. Prices are 

 firm all along the line and every change is toward higher levels. 



Quartered oak is in fair demand and there is a good demand for plain 

 oak stocks. Poplar is rather strong, especially the lower grades. There is 

 a good demand for ash and basswood. Other liardwoods are unchanged. 



<CLEVELANDy 



Tightening of the money market, which is curtailing all building, espe- 

 cially bousing construction in the suburbs, and arrival of winter weather, 

 which Is causing a drop in other building activities, have combined to 

 reduce business in the hardwood industry in this si'ctlon. ('onij)aratively. 

 several varieties id' hardwoods are a rlrug on the market, notably mapli' 

 and oak flooring. That is there is even less demand for these materials 

 than can be met by the limited stocks on hand. In spite of these con- 

 ditions, every description of hardwood in this market is firm, and there 

 is no sign of a reduction in prices. Only limited offers are notetl in any 

 quarter, because under the uncertain transportation conditions holders 

 are not taking chances on their stocks being entirely depleted. There is a 

 better outlet for low grades of hardwoods, for example chestnut and bass. 

 which are being taken by box manufacturers here' who have governmi'Ut 

 <>rders for high-class packages or are supplying boxes to firms that have 

 *>rders for munitions. I'niess there Is marked improvement in the car 

 situation, little change in these conditions can be expected in the northern 

 Ohio district this winter. Promise of relief in tlii' car shortage has not 

 developed Into fact, and even transits, which were fairly jjlentiful up 

 to a few weeks ago. now are scarcer ami indications are that even thise 

 will be cut off. 



< INDIANAPOLIS > 



The hardwood market Is lagging, and the trade Is expecting the cus- 

 tomary dull season that generally is expi'rienced at this season. War 

 contracts are more numerous, however, ami It Is aiiparent tliat there Is 

 to lie a heavier di'mand for the fuinillng of government contracts from 

 this time on. Many woodworking jilanls in the central part of the slate 

 have been given contracts that will kee|> them in capacity operation for 

 some time. 



I'rlces are firm, and are tending u|)ward, because of the difflculty in 

 obtaining the stocks wantefl. Bad weather has interfered seriously with 

 the movement of cars, hut transportation conditions are Improving. The 



Oak Maple 



Chestnut 



.vianufacturers and Dealers 



— in— 



West Virginia and Southern 



HARDWOODS 



The Atlas Lumber & Mfg. Co. 



Union Trust Building, CINCINNATI, OHIO 



BUSS-COOK OAK CO. 



BLISSVILLE, ARKANSAS 



MANUFACTURERS 



Oak Mouldings, Casing, Base and Interior 

 Trim. Also Dixie Brand Oak Flooring. 



As Well As 



OAK, ASH and GUM LUMBER 



Can furnish anything in Oak, air dried 

 or kiln dried, rough or dressed 



MIXED ORDERS OUR SPECIALTY 



BIRCH 



We have a complete assortment of practically 



ALL GRADES & 

 THICKNESSES 



GOOD PLANING MILL FACILITIES 



Send us your inquiries 



Brown Land & Lumber Co. 



Rhinelander, Wis. 



Mills: RHINELANDER 

 PARISH 



HELENA, ARK. 



,i JroPKtoIr----' 



0-^T 



\^ 



GUARANTEED 



To Be Absolutely 

 What It is Sold for 



FORKED LEAF' Brand 



OAK FLOORING 



The opportunity is here olTcrcd the 

 fiealer of ordering mixed cars of 

 "Forked Leaf" Brand Oak Floor- 

 ing and Arkansas Shortleaf Pine 



The Long-Bell Lumber Co. 



R. A. Long Bldg., Kansas City, Mo. 



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



