< Iclohl-l- 25, 11)10. 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



49 



Uiis source. Bircli and maple arc in particularly good request and stocks 

 iu these lines arf,* getting ratlier light in some instances, so light in fact 

 that predictions are lieing made that higher prices may l)e expected iater in 

 the season. In the southern woods there is a hrisk demand from the sash 

 and door and interior linish concerns for plain red oalc and quarter-sawed 

 white. Tile furniture factoj'ies seem to be meeting witli a better business 

 and are using a little more stock. The farm implement manufacturing con- 

 eerus in Milwaukee and at various points about Wisconsin are buying a 

 little, if for no other reason than to keep up their stocks to the required 

 point. Milwaukee has several thriving piano factories and these concerns 

 are now buying stock a little more freely. 



Ketailers about Wisconsin arc placing some orders as usual, although the 

 buying from this source is not quite so active as wholesalers might wish fiu'. 

 There seems to be cnnsiderablo building going on in the smaller cities and 

 V'wns about Wisconsin and liopes are entertained that the average dealer 

 will find a little later tiiat he will have to order more freely to replenish 

 his stocks. Of course, the general inclination is to place enough orders for 

 stock to till out the present year's business, with the probaldlily that buying 

 will he resumed a little more freely after the first of the year. 



The building record in Milwaukee for the first nine months of the year 

 showed a substantial gain and Building Inspector W. 1). Harper is con- 

 fident that the year's record will lie considerably higher than that of the 

 past year. During Seiitember the city's record of .fL'.iKil.D^is placed Milwau- 

 kee si.xth in the list of American cities. The increase over the record of 

 SeptiMnber, li>14, was 1 l.l jier cent. Operations thus far In October have 

 showed much activity. 



=■< BRISTOL >.= 



The luinl>er business in this section is still dull but there seems to be 

 considerable optimism among lumbermen, especially the manufacturers, 

 who are going ahead with operations. Few of the larger mills have 

 suspended operation and indications are that the majority of them will 

 continue busy throughout the winter, running as regularly as weather 

 conditions and the log supply will admit. It is reported that some of the 

 large ndlls that Iiave been iillc are soon to resume. Several of them have 

 taken atlvantag*' nf the dullness in the trade to stock the ndlls heavil.v 



Willi legs. 



=-< GLASGOW >.= 



Sinco last r».in'rt llic timhcr trade of fa;ist:M\v aiul ilic \\'>>.l ut" Scutlainl 

 has improved to a considerable extent, and the quantity of goods seilinj; 

 is on a larger scale than has been the case for some time back. This fact 

 is most gratifying because the lull which has been experienced has con 

 linucd for some time. Buyers all along have been averse to buying any 

 more than for Immediate requirements, but Just now they are displaying a 

 tendency to purchase for future requirements. Of course, prices have 

 always been the dominating factor, and In no case have they declined, but 

 rather advanced, aiid that in siuuc instances very appreciably. Buyers 

 have not lor a long time been speculatively inclined, considering it too risky, 

 but now they ar_' finding this to 'le to tlieir disadvantage. I'rices for 

 all classes of. stuff vary from day to day, and all selling is taking place 

 subject to confirmation. The demand for all classes of lumber lias not 

 been up to the average, except spruce whieli has been In great demand. 

 I luring the past three months many vessels have arrived from Canada 

 with cargoes of spruce. The bulk of this wood has been stored In tlie 

 various yards until ])rices asked for could be gotten, and already largo 

 lines are reported to have passed into second hands. The storage grounds 

 around the docks just now arc •"full up." and new accommodation has had 

 l(» be opened. Prices obtained for spruce have never been heard of l)efore : 

 iu fact, they have almost doubled what they were in' normal times. The 

 boxmakers just now arc the real consumers of spruce, as they have large 

 orders on hand, and will be busy for some time to come. However, the 

 M' inand for spruce is perhaps due to the fact that in view of the restricti'd 

 -iipply from Russia there may be a scarcity in packing case material, and 

 this will have a very material effect on prices. A common impression is 

 That prices have not reach-d their high water mark yet. Shipments have 

 arrived here from Archangel, but although few, they are welcomed by 

 buyers who contracted for supplies which they will not receive this side of 

 the war at any rate. 



IShipbuiUling inquiries are as scarce as ever. All the yards are engaged 

 on government work. The furniture trade is fairly well employed, although 

 most of the activity^ is in government work. Values of furniture musT 

 have advanced very much of late^ judging from the prices being obtain<'d 

 for low-grade oak. poplar and gum. 



The trade in Pacific coast goods has been a large item for some time 

 back, and it would seem that alniost any price could be obtained for this 

 class of lumber. However, space from the Pacific is at a premium, and it 

 is very difficult to arrange, as space may be secured, but the vessel after- 

 wards commandeered when it arrives in port. 



Shipments of hardwoods from Baltimore and Newport News have not 

 been of tiie same dimensions for some time past. These shipments have 

 comprised largely oak scantling and oak planks — a noticeable absence is 

 in oak boards. Very few carloads have been imported, with the result that 

 stored stocks are being used up. Import cost at present prohibits the 

 cimsignmenis of oak boards meantime. Silver pine or West Virginia spruce 

 which formed a large item in previous shipments is now hardly seen, and 

 it is understood that supplies are becoming rather scarce. 



OUNDNESS 



Read]) Resources $925,845 



URPLUS 



and Reinsurance Reserve. . . 856,634 



A VINCS 



Returned to Subscribers .... 546,757 



ERVICE 

 60-day Inspections; Monthly Fire Bulletins. 



These are some of the vital features 

 upon ■which the management of the 



Lumbermen's Underwriting 

 Alliance 



bases its plea to the LUMBERMEN FOR 

 A SHARE OF THEIR Insurance Lines. 

 Tliese safeguards are the result of TEN 

 YEARS of successful underwriting. 



$155,000.00 



in CASH DIVIDENDS went into the treas- 

 uries of ALLIANCE Policyholders in 1914. 

 Owners of protected plants, with five or 

 more years' timber supply, are invited to 

 become identified with us. 



U. S. EPPERSON & COMPANY 



Attorney and Manager, KANSAS CITY 



Over 



One Million Dollars 



in savings has been returned its members by the 



Manufacturing 

 Lumbermen's Underwriters 



and there remains to the credit of members over 



Nine Hundred Thousand 

 Dollars 



The membership, which is constantly increasing, 



is now composed of nearly four hundred and fifty of 

 the best saw mill plants in the country. Insurance in 

 force exceeds thirty-five million and nearly three 

 million dollars has been paid in losses. If you have 

 a first-class plant adequately protected and are inter- 

 ested in low cost fire insurance, correct policy forins, 

 an inspection service which may save you from a dis- 

 astrous fire, with the certainty of a prompt and 

 equitable adjustment in case loss does occur, aiid 

 wish a list of members and annual statement we will 

 be glad to hear from you. 



Rankin-Benedict Underwriting Co. 



HARRT B. CI.ARK 



W*at«rB R«pr«9entative 



Portland. Ore. 



Attorney in Fact 



KANSAS CITY, MO. 



All Three of Us Will Be Benefited if You Mention HARDWOOD RECORD 



