May 10, 1915. 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



41 



=-< NEW YORK y. 



It is one tiling to say that tlie gi^noial situation in tlie local lumber busi- 

 ness is showing better but rjuite anotlier to specify just what goes to maiie 

 the improvement. The local hardwood market so far as rough lumber is 

 concerned is still far from satisfactory, both as to volume of business and 

 raiigi' of prices. Whatever the curtailment of output affected in the closing 

 moiilhs of last year, it has not caused any stiffening of prices nor made more 

 •dillicult the securing of such lumber as has been in demand. We must be 

 content with the thought that without the curtailment affairs would have 

 been infinitely worse. The busy season is in full swingr-according to the 

 calendar — but the demand is below normal and oven less than this time last 

 year. About the only hope is that the good business in other lines w-ill be 

 reflected in the lumber business through a larger demand for those articles, 

 the manufacture of which calls for hardwood lumber. Local yards and 

 factories are not carrying the amount of lumber tliey formerly did and a 

 brisk demand will bring them into the market with real business. 



V E 



=-< BUFFALO >-- 



The hardwood trade has been liohling at about the same level as for 

 a number of weeks, with a somewhat blotter inquiry in the building line, 

 though the class of construction work going up is for the most part of a 

 kind not using a large amount of hardwoods. There is a better demand 

 for flooring, as is natural at this season. Most industrial lines are still 

 running on a curtailed basis and the orders placed for hardwoods are 

 almost invariably for prompt shipment. Prices continue about the same 

 as a month ago and are not very firm. 



-\bout the same woods are wanted as for some time, the chief ones 

 being plain oak, maple, ash, birch and chestnut, the last mentioned in 

 the better grades. Poplar is quiet. \ larger movement of lake hard- 

 woods to this port will be seen this year, as mill prices arc now some- 

 what more favorable. The woods coming in include maple, birch, bass- 

 ^vood and brown ash, and the movement will be quite a little better, in 

 all probability, than last year. 



Permits for .\pril showed a total of .f 1,190,000, a falling off of seven 

 per cent from the same month last year, when the total was .$1,280,000. 

 For the first four months of this year the permits amounted to 5:2,709,000, 

 as against .1:2,871,000 in the same period of 1914, a decline of only a little 

 over five per cent. 



■< PHILADELPHIA > 



The lumber business has improved greatly in this city in the past two 

 weeks. Mill prices have advanced, and many wholesalers report advances, 

 too. There is a great deal more buying and less bargain hunting than 

 for some time back. Retailers know the day is past when they can place 

 orders at their own figures, and many arc providing not only for the 

 present but for future needs. Corporations are in the market, industrial 

 concerns enlarging their plants owing to war orders, box factories report 

 trade as picking up, and the railroads and shipyards are in the market 

 for certain kinds of lumber. Of the hardwoods plain oak, basswood, and 

 ash are in the best shape. Cherry, beech, birch and chestnut are moving 

 quite well. Mahogany, Circassian walnut, and the fancy woods are main- 

 taining price schedules without trouble. White pine prices remain about 

 the same, but the demand has increased : prices on spruce are rather 

 uncertain, although volume is good ; hemlock is reported as low in price ; 

 cypress lumber and shingles are in firm demand, with prices a bit better 

 than reported recently. 



:< PITTSBURGH >-. 



A littlo more life is seen in tbe hardwood business bero tbe past few 

 weeks. This comes chiefly from manufacturing concerns. Yard trade 

 is still irregular and is not of a satisfactory volume. Manufacturers have 

 Vieen buying more lumber, although in small quantities as a rule. Rail- 

 roads have put in some very good requisitions for oak lately. The auto- 

 mobile trade is holding up well. 



-< BOSTON >= 



Conditions in the liardwood market are unchanged. .Several factors 

 bearing on the situation are the subject of much speculation as to the 

 final outcome Init the dealers do not claim any definite judgment as To 

 the future. Black walnut alone stands out as an item of great activity 

 and strong prices, its returning popularity and Its use In the manufacture 

 of firearms creating a large demand. Hickory Is also employed to a 

 considerable extent in war machinery, and shows Increased consumption. 



=-< BALTIMORE >■= 



E E R 



The hardwood situation appears to liav.' undergone further improve- 

 ment. No decided acceleration of the movement is to be reported, nor 

 have prices shown a marked advance, but the feeling is none the less 

 better, and greater confidence in the future is being manifested. The 

 change is attributed chiefly to the action of a number of the railroads 

 which have announced that they are in the market for large quantities 

 of materials and which have placed extensive contracts for rolling stock. 

 With the railroads actively in the market, the demand generally will be 



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