56 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



On the Following Stock We Will Make Special 

 Prices for Prompt Shipment: 



The Atlantic Lumber Co. 



70 Kilby Street, Boston, Mass. 



WANT E D 



All Kinds of High-Grade 



HARDWOODS 



S. E. SLAYMAKER & CO. 



WBST VIRGINirsrRCckS.rMBER CO.. ^'^^^ MPw""vnpr '*""'' 

 Cass. West Virginia. NhW lOKK 



» 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 forms, 

 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, and 

 wish a list of members and annual statement we will 

 be glad to hear from you. 



Rankin-Benedict Underwriting Co. 



HARRY B. CI,ARK 



Western Representative 



Portland, Ore. 



Attorney in Fact 

 KANSAS CITY, 



MO. 



the attitude of financial institutious in tbis part of the country has been 

 encouraging, as they have been willing to assist legitimate business in 

 every way possible. A somewhat better demand for lumber for export 

 has encouraged the local trade. Walnut, ash and oak are among the 

 items wanted for foreign shipment, quartered white oak being the leading 

 mover in this direction. For the domestic trade business continues below 

 normal as to volume, but prices are holding up on everything except lines 

 on which there is an obvious oversupply. Specialties which are not in 

 excess supply are bringing good prices. 



=-< MILWAUKEE ^ 



Trade in the Milv.-aukee hardwood market seems to be sowing slight 

 improvement. There is considerable building going on in the city and 

 about the state, althougH probably not quite so much as a year ago. 

 The excellent weather which is prevailing is doing much to further 

 building activity, especially in the smaller cities and towns and in the 

 country districts. Farmers have been making good use of the fine fall 

 weather to complete much delayed building. Wholesalers are confident 

 that this will eventually result in a better yard trade. 



An apparent slump in building activity in Milwaukee during the past 

 few weeks is disproved by a comparison of the Milwaukee building records 

 with those of cities throughout the United States. Milwaukee is one of 

 twenty cities in the country that showed building gains in September over 

 the preceding month. Of these twenty, only eight surpassed Milwaukee. 

 During the third week in October there were 01 building permits issued 

 for structures to cost approximately $167,642, as compared with 91 per- 

 mits and an investment of .$2-19,646 during the corresponding month In 

 1913. Work on many large structures was started during September and 

 these projects are helping along the lumber business locally. 



While buyers In general are inclined to place orders carefully and to 

 satisfy their immediate wants, the total volume of trade is fairly satis- 

 factory. The sash and door and the v.arious interior finishing concerns 

 are buying fairly well to meet their fall business. None of these concerns 

 are laying in slocks, however. The farm inipleinent manufacturing con- 

 cerns in Milwaukee and about the state have been placing some orders, 

 but a better trade from this source is hoped for later in the season. The 

 furniture factories are buying in a conservative manner. 



Prices are a little unsettled in some lines, but no decided decline Is 

 expected, due to the certainty that the lumber output will be curtailed 

 from now on. Practically all lumber concerns in Wisconsin will log less 

 and saw less lumber during the coming season than in several years. 

 Northern stocks are holding firm, due mainly to the light supply and to 

 the knowledge that the production will be restricted. Birch and maple 

 seem to be especially strong. Oak is still rather easy. 



=^ DETROIT >= 



The hardwood market at Detroit is not good enough to be called satis- 

 factory, but Detroit dealers will let it adjust Itself without any attempts 

 to force sales. There is not a very good demand from the manufacturers, 

 many of whom are not operating at near capacity and what buying they 

 do is in small qu.anttties. Detroit yards are not stocked heavily and there 

 is little likelihood of prices being further affected. 



While the de'mand from the manufacturers may be said to be uncertain, 

 a little more can be said for the yard trade in building operations par- 

 ticularlj' in the millwork and finish lines. Business is not rushing but 

 there is a fair demand and prices are stable. 



=■< LIVERPOOL >= 



There has been a very distinct improvement in the market conditions 

 since the last Liverpool report. The financial position has very materially 

 improved and the Impending suspension of the moratorium has not 

 created any nervousness. There may be one or two unimportant fail- 

 ures here, but they will not be serious affairs. Prices of some items 

 have advanced very materially and have a distinct promise of going 

 even higher. Itound ash logs are almost sold out and good quality logs 

 should bring higher values for forward delivery. Prime hickory logs 

 are also a good spot, but there is so much poor wood on hand that ship- 

 pers should be very careful what they send. Good sound oak logs of 

 white texture, and 3" and up thick white oak planks should bring good 

 prices, and some parcels now on hand have been cleared out at very 

 profitable values. The stave market has been cleared out of certain 

 sizes, but shippers should be cautious as to future shipments, and ship- 

 ments without definite orders are not recommended. Good prices are 

 being secured for stocks now on hand and values will be maintained as 

 long as the war lasts. Naturally there is much speculation as to the 

 length of the war period. Generally the view is taken here that the 

 war will not be a short one and most sound common sense business men 

 think they will be lucky if the war is over in two years. 



I'^uruiture woods are still very quiet and in this category, of course, 

 comes mahogany. Prices have remained very stationary and values will 

 probably go lower, as so many people do not wish to hold for higher 

 values. Ash lumber has been moving a little better Into consumption, 

 but prices are very stationary and shipments would not come to a good 

 market. Here again there is a large stock which is held by firms not 

 very anxious to hold. It is thought, however, that prices will bo better 

 in about a month's time and shippers are advised to await developments. 



