46 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



WANT E D 



All Kinds of High-Grade 



HARDWOODS 



S. E. SLAYMAKER & CO. 



Repreeentlm Fifth ATenue Buil<linK, 



WEST TIKGINIA SPKI ( E LCMBEB CO., ^^-j^, vrtDK" 



Cass, West VIrclnU. NtW lUKK 



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. 



HARRT B. CI.ARK 



Western Representative 



Portland. Ore- 



Attorney in Fact 

 KANSAS CITY, 



MO. 



to go ahead as rapidly as possible with the installation of new mills- 

 confident that by the time they are ready to run, business will havt 

 improved sufficiently to justify their operation. A number of largt 

 mills in this section are running full time hut the majority are stjl; 

 idle, having closed down until spring. 



=•< LOUISVILLE >= 



Looking back over 1914, hardwood men must admit that condltlODi! 

 were never altogether favorable to the business, though, had not thf 

 war intervened, trade during the latter half of the year would have been 

 excellent. Last year closed weak, and the uncertain condition of busi- 

 ness continued over into 1914, with prices generally unsatisfactory and 

 the demand below normal. By the middle of the year, however, an im 

 provement began to be manifested, and it was thought that the fall would 

 be sufficiently good to make up for the depression of the previous half 

 year. However, the development of war in Europe in .\ug;ust put busi- 

 ness down and out again, and it has been a hard struggle all along the 

 line since then. Once more, however, conditions are improving, and senti- 

 ment is now more optimistic than it has been at any other time this 

 year. Lumbermen feel that the worst is over, and that any developments 

 from now on must necessarily be for the better. While buying during 

 the past fortnight has been light, practically all the business bandied has 

 been of the rush variety, indicating that stocks are low ; and as soon 

 as trade generally opens up, there should be a -great rush for lumber, 

 with accompanying strengthening of prices. 



=-< ST. LOUIS >^ 



A general quietness prevails in the hardwood market and this condi- 

 tion is likely to prevail until after the first of the year. Buyers are not 

 placing orders unless thpy are compelled to do so. The result is that 

 the yards are devoting their time to invoicing the stocks. Every indi- 

 cation points to a general revival of trade soon after the first of the 

 year and an advance in prices is looked tor about that time. Most of 

 the present demand is for plain and quartered oak of the higher grades. 

 Walnut and poplar and ash are moving a trifle better than they did. 

 .Some inquiries for cottonwood and choice red gum are being received. 

 Cypress Is beginning to move a little better than it did and the future 

 for this Item looks good. 



=■< MILWAUKEE >= 



ilost business houses, lumber concerns and lumber consuming indus- 

 tries included, are now in the midst of their annual inventories, and trade 

 is naturally a little quiet. Wholesale lumbermen are inclined to believe 

 tb:)t after the inventory taking has been completed, most concerns wlli 

 begin to realize that their lumber stocks are low and that it will be neces- 

 sary to place larger orders if they expect to be in readiness for the spring 

 business. It is confidently expected that tbe yard trade will show much 

 improvement after the opening of the new year and that dealers will begin 

 to place their orders for spring delivery. 



One of the most hopeful signs is the fact that some wholesalers, even 

 at this early date, are beginning to receive inquiries from the factory 

 trade. This would indicate that stocks in most hands are low and that 

 buyers, especially In the factory field, are inclined to forestall a possible 

 advance in prices after the opening of the new year by placing their orders 

 at prevailing quotations. 



Building operations in Milwaukee are picking up slightly, altboogb 

 not much activity is expected until January. During the past week there 

 were 42 permits issued for the erection of buildings to cost $108,880, as 

 compared with 41 permits and a Ijuilding investment of $71..'>40 a year 

 ago. Building Inspector Harper admits that the total building record 

 for the past year will show a big falling off, but he is confidcntthat there 

 will be plenty of activity next spring. He says that many large building 

 projects have been carried over until spring, in the belief that general 

 business will show more improvement by that time. Lumbermen are In- 

 clined to be as optimistic as the building inspector and they are confident 

 that business will be all right soon. 



This feeling of increased confidence in regard to conditions during the 

 next few months is also finding expression among many of the large 

 lumber manufacturing concerns of Wisconsin. Officials of several of the 

 large companies have announced that they are more optimistic and that 

 they will increase their logging output over the amount estimated a month 

 or so ago. Really large orders received by some of the northern Wisconsin 

 concerns of late have helped along this feeling of optimism. 



=•< DETROIT >.= 



A general feeling of optimism among the Detroit hardwood dealers Is 

 backed up to a fair extent by an Increased business. Inquiries are 

 fairly strong and in several quarters are reported to be materializing 

 with a regularity that is encouraging. 



.\mong the lines moving most are oak and beech. Maple has been In 

 least demand since the slump became permanent In the hardwood market. 

 Prices remain fairly near the low level found several months ago. It Is 

 a concensus of opinion among Detroit dealers, wholesalers principally, 

 who are familiar with conditions in the other markets throughout the 

 country, that Detroit has suffered to a less extent than many other 

 centers. 



