50 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



WANT E D 



All Kinds of High-Grade 



HARDWOODS 



S. E. SLAYMAKER & CO. 



ReprMentlnc Fifth Arenue Buil<linc. 



WB8T TraCINIA SfKl CE I.ITUBEB CO.. " iGruf vrtDl' 

 Cass, We«t Virginia. NEW YORK 



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. CLARK 



Western Representative 



Portland, Ore. 



Attorney in Fact 



KANSAS CITY, MO. 



=-< NASHVILLE >= 



The year 1915 is not far enough advanced to give a good idea of the out- 

 look in the hardwood lumber market, but manufacturers here report a 

 sprinkling of orders that gives indication of improvement in trade. It is 

 expected that the demand will show gradual increase. The general tone of 

 business has a tendency to more activity. A number of the lumber consum- 

 ing plants are reported to be making plans for increased business, and 

 several of them have resumed. No material change in prices is noted. 

 Production of both logs and lumber continues on a light scale. 



=-< BRISTOL >-= 



Bristol lumbermen report the situation here a little more encouraging. 

 They expect business to improve more rapidly toward spring. The movement 

 of stock is light, which is probably attributable as much to the low yard 

 stocks in this section as the condition of the lumber market. Some of the 

 lumbermen have lost desirable orders on account of the small stock on hand. 

 Most of the large mills have been idle for several weeks. The manufacturers 

 believe that market conditions will soon justify resuming operations. 



=-< LOUISVILLE >= 



Business is getting somewhat better, it appears, for lumbermen report 

 both improved demand and somewhat better prices on certain items. 

 These two. of course, go together, for better demand usually strengthens 

 prices, and on the other hand advancing prices nearly always stimulate 

 the demand. The general tendency of local hardwood men has been to 

 follow the example of leading operators at the southern mills, and quote 

 .?1 advances for delivery in February. It is beginning to look as though 

 wholesalers who have accepted contracts covering delivery during the 

 rest of the year on a current price basis, with the idea of being able to 

 pick up the stock on the outside, will have some trouble doing so, par- 

 ticularly at a margin that will enable them to make any money. Lumber 

 values are steadying all along the line, authorities declare, and with a 

 slight increase in consumption there is bound to be a rapid upward move- 

 ment which will catch those who have been "bears," on the wrong side of 

 the market. Quartered oak, plain white oak, thick poplar and good ash 

 are among the best sellers at present. 



=-< MILWAUKEE >= 



Milwaukee wholesale lumbermen say that trade In the hardwood field Is 

 beginning to show considerable improvement. Orders are being placed a 

 little more freely and the prospects are much better than they have been for 

 several weeks. Manufacturers and consumers of hardwoods, who were 

 decidedly pessimistic during tlie latter part of the old year and were 

 predicting that they would be forced to keep their plants closed for several 

 weeks, are now taking a more hopeful view of the situation and are actually 

 placing orders for stocks. Most of the lumber consuming industries have 

 light stocks on hand and it would seem that business from this source ought 

 to lie good nilhin the near future. The furniture manufacturers are not 

 placing especially large orders for stock at this time, as business in this line 

 Is inclined to be quiet. The outlook is good, however. In view of the 

 promise of extensive building to be carried on next spring. It is expected that 

 the sash and door and general interior finishing concerns will be placing 

 better orders for stock from now on. 



Dealers about Wisconsin seem to be Inclined to take more Interest in the 

 situation and are making good inquiries as well as placing better orders for 

 stock. Wholesalers say that stocks at most retail yards are light, as most 

 dealers bought carefully during the last half of the past year. 



Trices are holding firm, a natural result of the light stocks of northern 

 hardwoods and the gradually improving demand. Those concerns holding 

 stocl<s are confident that higher prices may be expected after the spring 

 business has really opened and for this reason they are not inclined to make 

 any concessions in quotations at this time. 



The amount of new building which is being launched in Milwaukee at this 

 time is, of course, very light, but there is every indication that there will be 

 plenty of activity next spring. So much building, planned for last tall, was 

 carried over until spring because of the general business depression, that 

 W. D. Harper, building inspector of Milwaukee, is confident that building 

 figures for the ensuing year will attain a new high mark. 



=-< DETROIT >-= 



Opinion as to the hardwood trade in Detroit at present varies, some 

 dealers pronouncing trade fair and others reporting the demand still un- 

 steady or apathetic. It is generally agreed, however, that Indications 

 point to a revival of trade. 



One very favorable Indication was the automobile show just closed 

 at Detroit. The general feeling In the automobile trade Is for a 

 steady business In 1915, and if such proves to be the case, the good 

 effect is bound to be felt favorably in the hardwood trade. Light cars 

 were prominent in the show, which Is a further favorable indication. 



Considerable business booked is reported by furniture manufacturers 

 who exhibited at the Grand Rapids mid-winter furniture show. The 

 outlook in this Industry Is also for the better. Combining the favor- 

 able indications evident In these two big Michigan Industries, automo- 

 bile and furniture manufacturing, the outlook In the hardwood market 

 may be truthfully said to be better. 



