July 10, 1915 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



39 



orders ahead and the latter because they want to keep close to actual 

 requirements. The general situation is not yet such as to imbue any 

 division of the trade with confidence in the future. Too many un- 

 certainties loom up to permit the existing restraints to be overcome, and 

 the demand is merely for what consumers may happen to need at once. 

 On the other hand, it is -to be said that the feeling shows some improve- 

 ment. For a time confidence was conspicuously lacking, and hardwood 

 men feared the worst. But long ago It was perceived that this country 

 is in a position that confers important advantages. It has enormous 

 supplies which others must draw upon, and there is hardly a conceivable 

 situation In which the manufacturers and merchants here would- not 

 benefit. This acted as a steadying force, and has become more so in course 

 of time, until now it is merely a question of waiting until some of the 

 existing handicaps are removed before these advantages assert them- 

 selves in a way that will have its effect upon every activity. Therefore, 

 while the hardwood business remains relatively quiet, the undertone 

 shows a touch of returning strength none the less, and the members of 

 the trade are distinctly hopeful. The quotations are rather firmer than 

 they were, though no actual advance has taken place, and with the 

 beginning of July expectations have been aroused that the demand will 

 Increase. Wholesalers certainly have received numerous promises of 

 increased requirements with the beginning of the second half of the 

 year, and it looks as though at least a fair proportion of these 

 promises would be redeemed. The export business keeps up moderately 

 well, with shipments being made in increased quantities whenever an 

 opportunity offers. The hardwood exporters, of course, are not in the 

 position of the yellow pine men, of finding it practicable to charter 

 vessels and sending full cargoes, but they can get more room on steamers 

 than heretofore in consequence of an abatement of the grain shipments. 

 Returns are quite attractive, though, owing to the advance in the price 

 of hardwoods, the buyers on the other side are disposed to lower their 

 requirements, so as at least to divide the lncrea.se in cost. This tends to 

 make the high grades rather more plentiful than before, though the 

 lower classifications show up better. 



V E 



E E R 



:-< PITTSBURGH >-. 



Lumber interost here centers chiefly in buying by manufacturers and 

 construction companies. Retail trade is falling down and all retailers 

 are buying in a hand-to-mouth manner. Railroads are pursuing much 

 the same policy. Juno totals do not come up to profits made early in 

 the year. More lumber is being sold in the coke regions and to the 

 manufacturing concerns, but the gain is not sufficient to warrant any 

 special hope for a change for the better before fall. 



=-< COLUMBUS > 



Building operations in Columbus are still fairly active judging from 

 the report of the building department for the month of June, 2S5 permits 

 having been issued of a valuation of $410,370 as compared with 203 

 permits and a valuation of $625,600 for June, 1914. Since the first of 

 the year the department has issued 1,453 permits of a valuation of 

 $2,486,360. 



Columbus hardwood trade has been fairly active during the past fort- 

 night. Buying is limited generally to small orders but steadiness 

 characterizes prices. On the whole the tone of the market is improved 

 and future prospects are brighter. Jobbers are of the opinion that the 

 trade during July and August will be more spirited than during the early 

 part of the summer. 



The feature is the buying by yardmen. Retail stocks are generally 

 small and buying is being done on the hand-to-mouth basis, but with 

 rather active building operations, dealers are compelled to replenish their 

 stocks. Buying on the part of furniture and vehicle factories is being 

 done to a limited degree. Prices are fairly steady at the levels which 

 have prevailed for several weeks. There is less Irregularity, although 

 some extremely low figures are quoted in order to move stocks where they 

 have accumulated. 



Shipments are coming out promptly all along the line. Many of the 

 orders are accompanied with a request for immediate shipment. Some 

 buying is being done for shipment the latter part of July and early in 

 August. Collections are very slow and that is probably the worst 

 feature. 



Poplar is In fairly good demand and all grades are moving uniformly. 

 There is also a steady demand for chestnut, especially sound wormy. 

 Oak is in fair demand, quarter sawed is firm and no cutting is reported. 

 Basswood is in good demand and sales are increasing. Ash is in better 

 shape than formerly. Other hardwoods are unchanged. 



=-< CINCINNATI >- 



Dealers and jobbers in allied building materials are getting back a con- 

 siderable portion of business, and word from the box factories is far more 

 encouraging than a short time ago. The latter receive their impetus solely 

 from normal demand, the season just arriving when the box people are 

 hardest pressed by orders and it can hardly be attributed to any general 

 revival in the trade. 



"Favorable," is the general expression used by leading hardwood men 

 in Cincinnati, when searching for an adequate word with which to ex- 

 press the situation in the local market. Excessive rains a few weeks back 



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