January '_'.">. IDIG 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



53 



for the trade to face. Already, factories with low stocks have filled 

 their order books and in hundreds of cases have only invoices and embargo 

 notices of stock tied up in transit to carry on their several industries. The 

 inimc'diato and final olfect on values is of course different from the usual 

 causes of fluotuatiou. The recently noted strengthening of prices is full.v 

 maintained, but emergency selling of available stock will not I)e reflected 

 in producing districts as bases of advance. On the other hand, difficulty or 

 imi>ossil)ility of deliveryiug may reasonably precipitate selling at average 

 levels. Taken as a situation of any considerable duration, it is admitted by 

 the trade as certainly a very disturbing feature and one that is baffling 

 the dealers fully as much as the long period of scanty purchasing. 



For the Eastern Trade 



-■< BALTIMORE >= 



N'o important changes have taken place in the hardwood trade during 

 the past two weeks. The gains previously recorded have been held. While 

 the iutjuiry for most of the hardwoods was restricted during the greater 

 part of the period after the beginning of the war, the sellers seemed con- 

 tent to hold back and refrain from attempts to force the market by mate- 

 rial reductions. The production was curtailed and the sellers waited for 

 the requirements of the consumers to reassert themselves. This has now 

 come to pa^s within certain limits, although it cannot he said that a 

 great expansion has taken place. Most of the buyers are taking lumber in 

 increased quantities, and a number of the plants which had shut down 

 pending a return to remunerative values are at work again, with the 

 result that the output is considerably augmented. The market, however, 

 has shown ample capacity to altsorb thi^ increase in the production, and 

 the range of prices, as stated, is either firmer or higher, or both. Poplar 

 and chestnut ha\'e responded in a gratifying way to the improved trade 

 conditions, and there appears to be every reason to look for continued 

 gains. 



The one unsatisfactory division in hardwoods is that of exports. Not 

 only do the exports make no headway, but they are actually going back. 

 The forwardiogs at this time are no larger than they w'ere a year ago. 

 not long after the breaking out of the war, and when everyone was in a 

 state of suspense. This condition must be attributed to the shortage of 

 vessels, which is becoming more pronounced, as the IJritisli and other 

 governments withdraw other sliips from commercial pursuits and utilize 

 them tor war purposes. The agents of the steamship lines here are not 

 quoting any rates at all, the exporters being left to pay whatever is 

 demanded if tliey happen to be fortunate enough to get any of their 

 shipments aboard. None of the troubles previously experienced have 

 yielded, with the exception, perhaps, of exchange, which shows' greater 

 stabilit.v. With the export business it is a case of watchful waiting, the 

 shippers being unable to take care of the business which they actually 

 have in hand at attractive prices. 



^"< COLUMBUS >.= 



Hardwood trade in central (iliio territory is quite active and the volume 

 of business is gradually increasing. Semi-annual inventories have been 

 completed aud consequently retailers are inclined to increase their stocks. 

 The tone of the trade is good and prospects for the future are considered 

 brighter than for months. 



The demand is pretty equally divided between factories and the retail 

 trade. Concerns making vehicles and furniture are in the market for 

 • increased stocks as there is a boom in many lines of manufacturing. The 

 semi-annual furniture sales have been good and this presages a good 

 demand for furniture stocks. Box factories are also quite busy for the 

 time of the year. 



In the retail department business is much better and orders are larger 

 than usual. The semi-anuual inventories showed that retail stocks were 

 generally small and consequently there is an effort to cover. Prospects for 

 an active building season when spring opens are good. .Ml lines are 

 moving in good shape and the policy of retailers is to take more chances 

 with larger stocks. Practically all of the orders booked at this time are 

 for immediate shipment. 



Prices are firm at the levels which have maintained for some time. 

 .\ll changes are toward higher figures as cutting is not resorted to in 

 order to move stocks. Quartered oak is firm and prices are strong, 

 especially for No. 1 common. The same is true of plain oak stocks, 

 (^'hestnut is one of the strongest points In the market. Poplar is moving 

 well and prices show a tendency to advance. Basswood is in better demand. 

 .\sh is quiet and other hardwoods arc unchanged. 



=•< CINCINNATI >-- 



A decidedly stronger tone characterizes the local hardwood market. 

 Nearly all the woods in the hardv.ood list showed distinct signs of harden- 

 ing and some material advances were noted. Indications point to a still 

 further rising marliet, especially in walnut. There is a sudden increase in 

 walnut inquiries, and for the most part of good volume. 



Oak is reported rather scarce and commands a better price in this sec- 

 tion. Logging operations in the big producing centers have been hard hit 

 by bad weather conditions, heavy rains bringing on damaging floods and 

 making roads in numerous cases practically impassable. Several big plain 

 oak dealers here are refusing orders at this writing, preferring to lose 

 possible business, where the possibility of filling the bill is very doubtful. 

 Some bigl^ oak figures are expected soon. 



Steady buying characterizes the furniture world and little quibbling over 



In these days of rush shipments service means much. 

 We can ship any of the following items from our 

 Buffalo yards 3 or 4 days after receipt of order: 



Brown and White Ash, Basswood, B«ech, 

 Birch, Cherry, Chestnut, Gum, Hard and Soft 

 Maple, Plain and Quartered Red and White 

 Oak and Poplar. 



Further descriptions would really 

 interest eastern buyers 



The Atlantic Lumber Co. 



70 Kilby St., Boston, Mass. 



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I Swain -Roach Lumber Co. | 



I Seymour, Indiana | 



I Manufacturers of Indiana Hardwoods I 



TWO BAND MILLS 

 5 far§ 4 '4 Nos. 1 & 2 Quartt-red Wliite Oak. 

 10 cars 4/4 Nos. 1*2 I'lain Ked Oak. 

 3 carii 4 4 Nos. 1 & 3 I'lain ^Vliite Oak. 

 1 car G/4 No. 1 Conillliin Tlaln Heil Ouk. 



We carry a well assorted stock of all Hardwoods. 



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Dry Band Sawn Hardwoods for Prompt Shipment 



SOM 4/4 No. 1 Com. & Btr. Basswood 



20.\I 6/4 PA.S Basswood 



20.\I 4/4 No. 2 Com. Bed Oak 

 400M 4/4 No. 3 Com. Hard Maple 

 lOOJI S/4 No. 3 Com. Hard Maple 



15M 4/4 No. 1 Com, & Btr. Curly Biri-li 



15M 6/4 No. 1 Com. & Btr. Unsel. Blrcb 

 20M S/4 No. 1 Com. & Btr. Unsel. Birch 

 12M 6/4 No. 2 Cora. & Btr. Rock Elm 

 25M 4/4 No. 2 Com. & Btr. Soft Elm 

 7511 4/4 No. 3 Com. Soft Elm 

 60.\[ 6/4 No. 3 Com. Soft Elm 



Arpin Hardwood Lumber Co., Atlanta, Wisconsin 



The Tegge Lumber Co. 



c I 



High Grade < 



Northern and Southern 

 Hardwoods and Mahogany 



Specialties 



OAK, MAPLE, CYPRESS, POPLAR 

 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 



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



