February 25, 1918 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



47 



-< BALTIMORE >■= 



The members of the hardwood trade, along with other lumbermen, are 

 up against It In tbe matter of transportation. Whatever business they 

 might be able to get Is blocked by the railroads, which are unable to sup- 

 ply cars and seem to find It Impossible to move them, even when thej 

 have been loaded or unloaded. Of course, the demand has been affected 

 somewhat by the policy of the government In subordinating everything to 

 the war industries and. lately, to the shipbuilding program. Nothing 

 that would tend to Interfere with the activity at the ship yards, such as 

 curtailment of supplies, is encouraged by the federal authorities, so that 

 It Is often out of the question even to have stocks of hardwoods accepted 

 for shipment by the railroads, even though a government permit may have 

 been obtained. This reduces the distribution to decidedly small propor- 

 tions, with no prospect that they will be expanded in the near future. Of 

 course, the milder weather is distinctly In favor of a revival in the trade, 

 or at least of a somewhat enlarged movement. The railroads have no 

 snow llockades to fight now, or is It necessary to buck up against other 

 ritraordlnary obstacles, and they can give their attention to the move- 

 ment of freight to a degree that appeared to be out of the question dur- 

 ing the period of intense cold and snow. But in various ways the volume 

 of business Is held down to small proportions. To be sure, there is no 

 prospect of a congestion of stocks even at producing points, for the same 

 causes that hampered the dealers have also interfered with production, 

 and the saw mills have fallen far below their normal output. Wliether 

 they will shortly get back to something like the old output remains to 

 be seen. It looks now as though the labor question would become as 

 troublesome as other retarding factors have been in the past. With the 

 government holding all manner of inducements to workers, there is every 

 prospect that It will be made utterly impossible for private employers 

 to compete in the matter of wages and otherwise : for anyone at all willing 

 to work can get employment at one of the munitions factories or on 

 government projects and obtain far higher wages than a saw mill can 

 afford to pay. It may be said that on all stocks which the sellers can 

 deliver they are in a position to get very attractive prices ; but the orders 

 taken are relatively few in number for the reason that there appears to 

 be no way of filling them. The high level of values applies to every divi- 

 sion of the hardwood trade, and in recent weeks even the box makers have 

 been in the market for almost anything that would serve their purposes 

 in the way of the lower priced hardwoods. The information from 

 abroad seems to be to the effect that a still further narrowing of foreign 

 shipments may be looked for, the British and other governments holding 

 down their requirements to the lowest possible limit. 



=-< COLUMBUS >= 



The hardwood trade in central Ohio territory has ruled rather firm 

 during the past fortnight. Demand from factories is the best feature, 

 although quite a number of inquiries are received from retailers. While 

 transportation is still bad, some improvement has been reported in places. 

 On the whole, the demand would be better were it possible to make ship- 

 ments more promptly. Prospects are for a continuation of the tight 

 transportation situation. 



Retailers have only fair stocks and there Is a disposition to order for 

 March and April delivery, if delivery could be assured. As it is some of the 

 dealers are taking a chance and are placing orders. Others are holding 

 off to see what will develop. Building outlook is slightly improved in 

 central Ohio territory and a few buildings are under consideration. Some 

 dwellings, apartments and business blocks will undoubtedly be con- 

 structed. Rural dealers are buying fairl.v well, as prospects for con- 

 struction work in the country districts are good. 



Box and implement factories are the best customers among manufac- 

 turing establishments. Furniture factories are also in the market for 

 some stocks ; but as a whole buying on the part of factories Is for Imme- 

 diate needs only. Collections arc not as prompt as formerly. 



Quartered oak Is in good demand and prices are unchanged from a 

 fortnight ago. The same is true of plain oak. White oak Is higher than 

 red oak. Chestnut is strong, especially the lower grades. Poplar is In 

 good demand and the same is true of ash and basswood. 



=•< CLEVELAND >• 



Fears that many hardwood plants in the flats would be damaged by 

 flood should the Cuyahoga river rise beyond the high water level were 

 allayed last week when a warm spell loosened up the Ice In the lake sufD- 

 clent to allow the water to pass out. This warm spell also served to 

 bring out some buying for construction under way, which had been held 

 np on account of the cold weather. Shipping has not improved, but with 

 what little buying was brought out the market for hardwoods as a whole 

 Is firmer, though not actually changed. The outlook for hardwood use now 

 Is a sort of flash In the pan effect, as absence of Improvement In financial 

 conditions does not make for good prospects for new work. The several 

 Cleveland Jobs under way therefore can be depended upon to be the prin- 

 cipal consumers of material. There has been a slight weakening In maple 

 flooring, but not enough to affect prices. Oak flooring Is a bit firmer, but 

 also held at former figures. In these lines It Is believed the principal 

 demand will be noted when the real spring drive starts. Transits are 

 coming into Cleveland in a limited way only. Cars are almost as scarce 

 as ever. 



The following stock is in excellent 

 condition, ready for immediate shipment 



5/.1" No. 1! Com. & Btr. ASH...., 41.00U' 



5/8" No. 2 Com. & Blr. BEECH.' 27.000" 



5/1" No. 2 Com. & BU. BBBCU 300.000' 



6/4" No. 2 Com. * Blr. BEECU 286.000' 



4/4" No. 2 Com. & Blr. SUKT ELM 76.000' 



4/4" No. 3 Com. SOFT Kl,ll 30.000' 



3/4" No. 1 Com. &. Utr. BIltCH 84.PO0' 



4/4" No. 1 Com. & Btr. BIKCH X08J)00' 



0/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. BlltCU 51^000' 



8/4" No. 2 Com & Btr. BIRCH 17.000' 



4/4" No. 3 Com. BIKCU 51.000' 



5/4" No. 3 Com. BIBCU 56.000' 



4/4" No. 1 Com. & Btr. MAPLE 48.000' 



4/4" No. 1 & No. 2 Com. MAPLE 270.000' 



6/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. MAPLE 316.000' 



8/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. MAPLE 10,000' 



10/4" No. 2 Com. & Blr. MAPLE 34.000' 



12/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. MAPLE 58.000' 



5/4" No. 3 Com. MAPLE 36J)00' 



4/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. SOFT MAPLE 130.000' 



IDEAL 



HARDWOOD 



SAWMILL 



Are putting In pile every month two and one-half 

 million feet of choicest Northern Mloblgan Hardwoodi 



Stack Lumber Company 



MasonvUle, Michigan 



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 Three of U» Will Be Benefited if You MenUon HARDWOOD RECORD 



