HARDWOOD RECORD 



47 



fierce competition for what orders there are, and until demand grows 

 more uniform, prices are not lilcely to become better. This condition 

 will no doubt continue until after the first of the year, possibly a little 

 longer, but as curtailment at mill points continues and no doubt will 

 be kept up for a couple of months at least, dealers do not expect to 

 have much surplus to contend with after next January. 



Stoclis in the hands of wholesalers of this vicinity are not execessive, 

 but they are full, and wholesalers replenish stocks as soon as there is 

 any movement outbound, having full confidence in the future steady de- 

 mand, but they are not buying in any large quantities, preferring to 

 simply keep up full assortments and not buy heavy until there is some 

 indication of advances. Just now there is a very good demand for 

 maple, principally in the thicker stock, but a general demand for all 

 thicknesses. The same is true of ash. Sap gum is in fair request in 

 good grades, but red gum is still moving slowly. Quartered oak seems 

 to be in just a little better demand than plain oak. although there is an 

 increasing interest in the latter. Poplar and Cottonwood in the better 

 grades are not moving very well at present, but dealers have much 

 confidence in an early betterment in call for this stock. All low grades 

 for box-making are still in active demand. 



=< INDIANAPOLIS > 



There is a little more optimism among hardwood interests in this 

 vicinity than there has been for some time. Business has not improved 

 appreciably in the hardwood trade, but there seems to be every indica- 

 tion that improvement is coming shortly. 



There has not been much buying d'uring the last two weeks, but 

 the number of inquiries has increased. Factories manufacturing wagons 

 and other equipment that can be used by European nations at war are 

 showing more activity than they have for some time and it is thought 

 this sooti will reflect in orders for hardwoods. 



There is a temporary depression in the hardwood flooring business 

 here because of the practical suspension of building operations, due 

 to inability to negotiate loans for building purposes. 



Prices are still comparatively stead.v considering present conditions. 

 Occasionally some one tries to unload stock at a low price, but such 

 instances are few and far between. Most of the hardwood wholesalers 

 and manufacturers are holding up prices. 



=-< MEMPHIS >.= 



There has been comparatively little change in hardwood lumber con 

 ditions here during the past fortnight. Inquiries have been coming for- 

 ward at a fair rate and there is some business doing all the while. 

 It is admitted, however, that more orders could be taken care of promptly, 

 but it is suggested in some quarters that there will be probably very 

 little increase in this respect until after the turn of the year. The 

 opening of the federal reserve banks is looked upon as a favorable 

 feature, and comment is made I'egarding improved conditions in the 

 general business situation. At the same time, it is pointed out that a 

 great many members of the trade .will be taking stock within the nest 

 few weeks and that they will buy in a somewhat sparing manner. 



It is said by some members of the trade here that stocks in some lines 

 are decreasing rather sharply, while in other items stocks are about the 

 same as heretofore. The greatest decrease has naturally been in those 

 items which have moved with the greatest freedom. It also follows that 

 prices are somewhat better on the kinds of hardwood lumber whicli 

 have been in best demand. This has led to some irregularity, but 

 this has not been an unexpected feature of the situation. A reasonably 

 good demand is reported for the higher grades of both plain and quar- 

 tered oak, but there is comparatively little doing in the lower grades. 

 Sap gum is a ready seller and the movement of this has been fairly 

 full. Offerings are not so large and some surprise is occasioned 

 over the fact that prices are so low. On the other hand, a little more 

 activity is noted in red gum, which is being used on an increasingly large 

 scale for interior trim. The lower grades of Cottonwood and gum are 

 in good demand and prices are well maintained at the recent level. 

 There has been some business recently in 5/4 and 8/4 cypress, but it Is 

 understood that prices have not been particularly remunerative. Ash 

 is one of the strongest items on the hardwood list as a result of the 

 recent buying in this section to fill orders booked with English brokers-. 



Exi)ort business, as a general rule, is on a quite limited scale. The 

 war has naturally reduced the demand to an appreciable extent and. 

 even where business is offering, the trade is seriously handicapped 

 by the very high ocean rates. These have advanced out of all propor- 

 tion to anything witnessed for a number of years and some members of 

 the trade do not hesitate to say that they are practically prohibitive. 

 One prominent member of the trade, who has been doing a fair export 

 business heretofore, said recently that anybody else who wanted this 

 business was entirely welcome to it until such time as ocean freight 

 rates were decidedly less of a handicap. 



=-< NASHVILLE >■- 



There has been little, if any, change in the local hardwood lumber 

 market. Dealers are inclined to think that a few more inquiries are 

 being received, but business continues of light volume. Demand is re- 

 ported for oak and poplar, and same for other lines. The advices re- 



Rotary Gut Veneers 



in Gum 

 in Oak 

 in Ash 



Flat Drawer Bottoms 



Band Sawn Hardwosd Lumber 



All kinds 

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 All thickness 



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Stimson Veneer & Lumber Go. 



Memphis boxiois Tennessee 



'Andrews" Dried Lumber 

 is Better Lumber 



t( 



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The A. H. Andrews Co. 



115-117 S. Wabash Avenue 



CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 



