HARDWOOD RECORD 



39 



work is most encouraging, as it promises steady progress in this line 

 from now on. Money for its advancement is apparently more easily pro- 

 cured from the banks and trust companies, and building lumber, supplies 

 and interior Qnish material will be in a much increased demand. This 

 will mean a large volume of business for the yards which handle this 

 material, and already there is felt a stiffening in certain grades. The 

 increase of building work for which permits have been issued over the 

 total of January shows $1,663,925, the biggest record for new buildings 

 since 1906. The total amount of work in this line applied tor in Feb- 

 ruary is $2,574,730, which is $779,825 over February, 1914. This 

 great stride in building work is looked upon as a potent sign of con- 

 fidence. 



The buying of hardwoods is still lacking the desired snap, but Uic 

 stock situation at the mills is such that it is confidently believed that 

 the first move forward in the buying market will mean the beginning of 

 an upward move in values. This condition is realized by the far-seeing 

 dealers, who are quietly getting in their stuff, which they feel is now 

 at rock bottom prices. In the general business world there are signs of 

 improvement in man.v lines, and on the whole everything looks as 

 promising as could be expected, considering the various handicaps to a 

 progressive prosperity. 



=-< PITTSBURGH >-= 



Hardwood men are pleased over the larger volume of business the past 

 few weeks with the automobile and implement concerns. Automobile 

 buyers especially have been more active in the market. There has also 

 been more lumber sold to the big industrial concerns throughout this 

 district which are arranging for extensive improvements this spring. 

 Railroad buying is not much In evidence. The policy of the railroads 

 seems to be to wait, and meanwhile they are buying only as they actuall.v 

 must have the lumber. Yard tr.ide is slow in starting. Many dealers 

 bought a good stock of lumber in December and have not felt the need of 

 purchasing their year's supply as yet. Prices are no higher, and, in fact, 

 are being cut badly in most cases. The window glass situation is very 

 satisfactory, considering general business conditions. The outlook is the 

 best it has been tor years in this district. 



=-< BOSTON >.= 



Reports from the trade indicate relatively satisfactory conditions. No 

 spring boom was expected, but a certain demand is constantly in evidence 

 for current wants. With prices practically stable for the time, contract 

 buying is almost wholly absent, but depleted stocks with the factories 

 and yards call for continuous Inquiry and a comparatively good volume 

 of orders largely characterized by quick delivery requirements and mixed 

 contents. Business of this kind occupies about all the field that the 

 dealers have to handle, but there Is a noticeable recognition that when 

 the corrective factors get in full swing there will be a certain improve- 



ment. 



=•< BALTIMORE y 



The belief is becoming more pronounced among hardwood men that a 

 better feeling exists in the trade. So tar the improvement has not caused 

 any actual advance in the quotations, but values have gained in steadiness 

 and the fluctuations between the figures named by different sellers are 

 smaller than they were not long ago. For a time the hardwood men could 

 not say what any kind of lumber would sell for, one man having a certain 

 price and another a figure that made it appear as though he were quoting 

 on something entirely different. A material narrowing of the range has 

 taken place since then, and while more or less pressure to sell still prevails, 

 the trade seems to be getting nearer to the point where something like a 

 standard is being reestablished. It must be stated, however, that in 

 certain aspects the situation causes disappointment. Tlie hope had been 

 entertained that the railroads and other big consumcr.s would before now 

 have become important lactors in the mjirket, but such does not appear 

 to be the case. While the transportation lines have employed a large 

 number of additional men, their needs in the way of hardwoods are as yet 

 very much restricted, and the yards have thus far made no signal efforts 

 to fill out the breaks in their assortments. No one attempts to deny that 

 the yard stocks are by no means as complete as they should be to insure 

 prompt delivery, tut the dealers are still disposed to proceed with caution 

 and to adhere closely to current needs. The furniture manufacturers have 

 not up to this time shown any particular freedom in placing orders, and 

 it is much the same with other buyers. On the other hand, some of the 

 hardwood men feel that they have iKisitive reason for being appreciably 

 encouraged, their business showing a decided expansion. Wholesalers must 

 be careful at what prices they buy, but they express themselves as con- 

 fident that a measure of recovery has taken place, and that the outlook is 

 better. This applies especially to the lower grades of some woods, like 

 poplar and chestnut, which were for a time very quiet, but are being called 

 for in increasing quantities, with the returns more acceptable. 



The export situation is still very unsatisfactory, but mainly from the 

 transportation and freight rate standpoints. Foreign buyers show a dispo- 

 sition to meet the figures of the exporters, and orders can be had at 

 fairly attractive prices. The difficulties of making shipment, however, are 

 such that exporters hesitate to book commitments. They encounter trouble 

 in getting stocks to terminals, but far more in having them put aboard of 



VENEER 



Old Dominion Veneer Co. 



Single PI]; Rolarv Cut 



GUM AND POPLAR 



Drawer Bottoms Crossbanding 



Door Stock 



CUT SOUND AND SMOOTH AND DRIED FLAT 

 WRITE FOB 

 OUIi LIST OF CUT DOWNS AT 

 BARGAIN PRICES 



NORTH EMPORIA, VIRGINIA 



Kentucky Vcnccr Works 



HIGH-GRADE— WELL-MANUFACTURED 



Vcnccrs 



IN SAWED AND SUCED QUARTERED 

 WHITE OAK AND QUARTERED RED GUM. 

 OUR ROTARY CUT GUM AND POPLAR 

 CROSSBANDING V^.NEERS ARE EXCEP- 

 TIONALLY GOOD. 



Louisville 



Kentucky 



Rotary Cut Veneers 



in Gum 

 in Oak 

 in Asli 



Flat Drawer Bottoms 



Band Sawn Hardwood Lumber 



All kinds 

 All grades 

 All thickness 



Made by ourselves 

 In our own mills 



Stimson Veneer & Lumber Co. 



Memphis boxiois Tennessee 



