March 2ri, 1918 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



45 



there Is nothing doing to speak of In that direction, the dllTerent descrip- 

 tions naturally are quiet. It is noted, however, that in the absence of 

 liberal receipts holders are disposed to remain fairly llrm In their views 

 as to prices, even though the demand Is small at this time. 



=-< INDIANAPOLIS > 



The Indiana hardwood lumber trade is lindlng it dillicult to keep up 

 with the orders for heavy stocks which manufacturers are seeking, this 

 condition prevailing despite an Improvement in the transportation situa- 

 tion. The trade as a whole reports the demand very satisfactory, saying 

 that although the demand for thinner stocks Is not as heavy as it might 

 be, that It Is much better than the trade had reason to expect a few 

 months ago. 



The call lor ash Is exceptionally strong, as several Indiana wood work- 

 ing plants are heavy buyers to flU their orders for government airplane 

 parts. Hickory also is In good demand from vehicle and implement 

 manufacturers, the Implement trade especially reporting a heavier trade 

 than had been anticipated. Motor truck manufacturers also are develop- 

 ing into heavy consumers of hardwoods as many of the Indiana factories 

 are working their plants to capacity on war orders. 



Gum is in fine demand, especially the cheaper grades for box making. 

 All box making materials are scarce and are bringing top prices. There 

 has been continued improvement in the hardwood manufacturing situa- 

 tion as weather conditions have been more favorable. Although the roads 

 in many parts of Indiana do not permit the hauling of logs, many manu- 

 facturers are working their plants to capacity. The call for hardwoods 

 for building purposes is not strong, but it is improving gradually. 



=-< EVANSVILLE >= 



Ideal weather conditions that have existed in Evansville and south- 

 western Indiana during the past two weeks have greatly added to the 

 trade of the hardwood lumber manufacturers in this section. While the 

 car shortage problem is still with them to some extent, the local manu- 

 facturers say that conditions have improved a great deal and that they 

 are able to get some cars from time to time and that they are getting 

 in more logs and shipping out more lumber than they were doing two 

 months ago. They say the outlook for summer and fall business is 

 much better than it was a few weeks ago. Most of the uptown mills in 

 Evansville are being operated on full time now, while the river mills 

 remain closed and it is not known when they will start up. One large 

 manufacturing concern here reports that during the past year they have 

 bought up several large tracts of timbered lands in southern Indiana and 

 southern Illinois, and that the log question is not worrying them any, as 

 they are getting all the logs they want from Indiana at the present time. 

 The demand for the best grades of hardwood lumber is very good, and in 

 fact has been for the past several weeks. The demand for the various 

 kinds of lumber needed by the government to manufacture war materials 

 Is especially good. Quartered white oak is now moving better than it 

 has for some time past and plain white oak is also in better demand. 

 Hickory, walnut, ash. elm and maple are strong and it is here pre- 

 dicted that gum will show a picking up before long. Prices are holding 

 firm, and in the opinion of the manufacturers they will stiffen from this 

 time on. Most of the wood consuming factories in Evansville are being 

 operated on full time now and the outlook for them is said to be very 

 good. Building operations have picked up some during the past few 

 weeks, yet it is not expected there will be the building here this summer 

 as In former season. Planing mills say trade is only trade, and sash and 

 door men make a similar report. Architects and contractors say there 

 will be some building this summer and that things look better than they 

 did at the beginning of the present year. 



=-< MEMPHIS >= 



There is very little complaint on the score of demand for hardwood 

 lumber. In fact the demand Is rather larger than can be filled in most 

 items. Selling Is about the easiest end of the proposition at the moment 

 and prices are exceptionally well maintained. There la an unusual call 

 for high grade quarter-sawn oak and for thick plain oak, for the lower 

 grades of cotton wood and gum, for ash in all grades and for sap gum 

 and cotton wood in the higher grades. There Is not much activity at the 

 moment in No. 1 common plain oak and in firsts and seconds red gum. 

 Box boards in both cotton wood and gum are in very urgent call and 

 prices thereon are exceptionally high. The lower grades of cotton wood 

 and gum are passing freely Into the hands of box manufacturers and the 

 demand Is In excess of the supply. These Items arc commanding the 

 highest prices ever known. 



Deliveries of lumber arc very greatly restricted, especially Into Central 

 Freight Association and Eastern Trunk Lines territory. Cars arc scarce 

 for the handling of lumber and it is difficult to find open routes even 

 where cars are to be had. Difficulties In this respect appear to be grow- 

 ing rather than decreasing, particularly so far as the territory north of 

 the Ohio and Potomac Rivers and cast of the Mississippi is concerned. 



Prices arc expected by hardwood interests here to continue on a very 

 steady basis because of the excellence of the demand and because of the 

 handicaps surrounding production. Already stocks are much broken ami 

 they will be much more so In a short time when the 1,000 or more cars, 

 held up for delivery now, go forward. 



The following stock is in excellent 

 condition, ready for immediate shipment 



5/4" No. 2 Com. i Btr. ASH... Ji'SSS^ 



R/8" No •> Com. & BIT. BEECH a7.000' 



6/4" No 2CSS; tnu. BEECH 300.000 



6/4" No 2 Com. &. Btr. BEECH ^ISSSS 



4/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. SOFT ELM 76.000 



4/4" No. SCom. SOFT ELM.... US- 



3/4" No. I Com. & Btr. BIRCH iSa'SSS' 



4/4" No. 1 Com. & BXi. BIRCH *2?'SSS. 



6/4" No. 2 Com. & Bu. BIRCH 5U000, 



8/4" No. 2 Com & Btr. BIRCH. ...~ VAnl- 



4/4" No. 3 Com. BIRCH 51.000 



5/4" No. 3 Com. BIRCH....... llTcS,- 



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



4/4" No. 1 & No. 2 Com. MAPLE V^lVn' 



6/4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. MAPLE 'JS'SSS, 



8/4- No. 2 Com. & Bti. MAPLE 10,000' 



loV No. 2 Com. & Btr. MAPLE 84,000 



12X4" No. 2 Com. & Btr. MAPLE 58.000; 



VA~ S2: 1 &. rBn^soFT MAPLE:::;:;:iiffl. 



IDEAL 



HARDWOOD 



SAWMILL 





Are putting In pile every month two and one-half 

 million feet ol cholceil Northern Michigan Hardwoode 



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 Mention HARDWOOD RECORD 



