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iii War Orders for United States 





5 Bird Hy>'^ 



i 



0,ur export business has greatly increased along several lines on 

 account of the war. In September, 1913, we exported wheat to the 

 amount of 11,956,800 bushels, and during September just past the 

 exports rose to 25,765,047 bushels. Beef likewise shows a large in- 

 crease when the shipments to foreign countries in September, 1913, 

 are compared with this year's exports. The former totaled 633,239 

 pounds, the latter 6,984,184 pounds, more than a ten-fold increase. 



It is known that many large orders for various articles are coming 

 from the belligerent nations, but some of these are kept as secret as 

 possible, and it is difficult to find out the exact sizes of the orders or 

 their destinations. 



A late issue of Dun's Review says that business has been done by 

 textOe manufacturers on goods that will eventually find their way to 

 the countries that are at war. A much heavier movement is looked 

 for as many firm orders have been submitted and are now being 

 figured on. At least 750,000 wool blankets for soldiers' use have 

 been bought and more are being sought. Sales of 600,000 cotton 

 towels have been made. About 36,000 dozen sheets, 72x90, have 

 been bought or contracted for. Four New York state underwear 

 mills have engaged to deliver about 600,000 garments in the next 

 sixty days and as many more as they can make in the time limit 

 fixed. Orders are being completed for the purchase of 500,000 pairs 

 of wool hosiery to be shipped at the earliest possible date. Con- 

 siderable quantities of duck have been bought, but there are several 

 large orders for khaki and army duck pending, and which vriU prob 

 ably be closed in the next few days. Converters of cotton and cotton 

 goods who make hospital supplies have received large orders and mills 

 are at work on various lines of absorbent cottons and bandage cloths. 

 There are reports of orders for automobiles and power trucks 

 which, if not greatly exaggerated, wUl keep some of the largest 

 factories in this country busy for sometime. It is said that the 

 French government has bought 1,000 motor tracks from a Michigan 

 manufacturer, and Eussia has also placed large orders for trucks. 

 High Prices For Copper 

 Twenty cents a pound has been paid for copper in Germany to an 

 American producer. It is understood that the metal was booked 

 through a large seUing agency for the account of a mining company. 

 This high price, coming almost simultaneously with the establish- 

 ment of the lowest domestic quotation in more than a decade, has 

 brought about the widest margin ever recorded between the foreign 

 and domestic prices for copper metal. 



Practically all of the copper in warehouses in Holland, aside from 

 that shipped back to England, has been sent on to Germany for 

 government use. 



Modern warfare makes enormous demands on copper, for cart- 

 ridges, electric wiring, and other purposes. This metal is contra- 

 band, but the warring nations will make great efforts to procure it. 

 Barbed Wire Entanglements 

 Entanglements of barbed wire in front of entrenchments and 

 other fortifications are an essential in modern warfare, and many 

 stories have been told of the use of this material in the present war, 

 and the armies evidently intend to continue. Pittsburgh advices of 

 October 9 said Eussia and Austria within the previous two days had 

 placed orders there for 75,000 reels of barbed wire. These orders 

 were divided between the Pittsburgh Steel Company at Monessen and 

 the American Steel and Wire Company. Within the previous ten 

 days orders for more than half a million reels of barbed wire had 

 been received by plants in Pennsylvania from countries now engaged 

 in the European war. 



Preparing For Winter 

 The Beznor Stove Company of Mercer, Pa., has booked an order 

 for 50,000 sheet metal tent stoves to be used by French and British 

 soldiers during the winter campaign. These stoves are conical in 

 form, light in weight and built for hard usage. They wiU burn 

 either coal or wood. They are to be built in "take down" style 

 and when stowed away will occupy little space. 



—32— 



Negotiations between the Eeznor Company and representatives of 

 the French government have been under way for some time. Ac- 

 cording to ofllcials of the company orders for more than 200,000 of 

 these stoves have been given out, or will be given out within the next 

 ten days. 



The Dunn Woolen Company, at Martinsburg, W. Va., has closed 

 a contract with the British government for 2,000,000 woolen blankets 

 for use in the British army. The order was obtained through agents, 

 who said that quick delivery would be one of the prime factors in 

 receiving other big orders for the firm. 



The first shipment was started October 9. According to officials 

 of the woolen company, it will take six months, working day and 

 night shifts, to complete the oi'der, which is one of the largest ever 

 given in this country. It was also said that similar contracts with 

 other European governments are being negotiated. 



Counting the orders already received or practically completed in 

 underwear and sweater coats, it is certain that at least ten different 

 mills in New York state alone arc working on army orders. 



In the past few days substantial sales of army duck and other 

 kinds of lightweight duck available for war pmposes have been made 

 by leading factors in the trade, shipments to be made at once from 

 stock held in New York. It is stated that fully $300,000 worth of 

 duck has been bought within a short time, principally from three or 

 four factors, and all for immediate shipment. 

 Other Materials 



It is reported that more than 200,000 cavalry saddles have been 

 purchased in the United States, and thousands of horses have been 

 bought and are to be shipped through Canada or by way of New 

 Orleans. Orders for 5,000 tons of bituminous coal a month, for 

 delivery in British Guiana, in South America, have gone to Pittsburgh 

 parties. 



These orders, and many others which have doubtless been placed, 

 or wUl be placed in this country, will reflect on all business. The 

 $20,000,000 a day which the warring nations are spending cannot 

 fail to stimulate American business. 



Some Fruits of Frugality 



They perhaps call it frugality — this habit on the part of lumber 

 consumers of buying in limited quantities and waiting until they need 

 something to give an order for it. They effect a saving in capital 

 investment in the stock of lumber carried on hand ahead of needs. 

 However, once in a while it bears other fruits than this — fruits which 

 may be classed under the general term of disappointment. With 

 the closing down for a while of many of the mills which serve the 

 hardwood trade it is nothing unusual to find one of these hand-to- 

 mouth city customers who want something in a hurry that the mill 

 is not able to supply. With the miU in operation it has been practical 

 by a little extra trouble to cut to order just whatever dimensions 

 might be wanted, but with the mills down some buyers are meeting 

 with enough disappointment to realize that there are advantages in 

 buying quantities of stock and carrying it ahead of needs. There are 

 other advantages than having it when it is wanted quickly. Stock 

 bought in quantities ahead of needs can generally be bought at some- 

 what closer prices and in the buying and handling of quantities, 

 enough economy can be effected to justify the investment and the 

 yard space and the handling. Thrift and frugality are good things, 

 but it is possible to get too much of even a good thing, and the best 

 of things when carried to extremes develop objectionable qualities. 

 If there ever were a time when the chances looked good for investing 

 in stocks of lumber and carrying quantities ahead of the needs that 

 time is right now. There may be excuse for frugal buying when 

 prices are extremely high and the supply is limited, but where quanti- 

 ties are easily available and prices low, the part of wisdom would 

 seem to be that of buying at least a quantity ahead of needs as would 

 guard against delays in work and disappointments when seeking some- 

 thing special on short notice. 



