HARDWOOD RECORD 



63 



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The Hardwood Market 



-< CHICAGO >- 



The most interesting development, as it has been watched by Chicago 

 lumbermen for the last couple of weelis, has been the effect of the 

 settlement of the briclc handlers' strilce on tlie demand for lumber. It 

 had been hoped that with this question out of the way the purchase 

 of finish and building equipment of various kinds, including rough 

 lumber, would be materially augmented. It would seem that such 

 demand so far as settlement of the strike is concerned has been 

 merely to fill orders, contracts for which were taken before the strike 

 began and which have been held up pending its settlement. 



According to Chicago lumbormc?n, men in position to know, there 



seems to be very 

 is very logically a 

 prospective builders 

 construction until : 



riiiiil II. ■« iiu-iii .- I I,.(l. which condition 



ii' 1 h. i|.. I -i.il, ..11 li.. ...irt of a great many 

 i.t.ii '■■■'■■ III I -trike, to postpone 



..Till. I.. i,ii-in..-. ...i.Tii i..)i, .1,-velop. 

 .\s the situation now stands, there is soiijinvliat of an active handlin;; 

 of lumber locally with orders being placed tor the main, however, in 

 lots of reasonable proportions without very much apparent provision 

 tor fut»re liusimss. This seems to be the general disposition, but how 

 the sitiiation will evoutually shape out remains to be seen. 



=-< NEW YORK y- 



Therc*^ a considerable increase in the volume of business being 

 done in --hardwoods, but there is no diificulty in placing orders for any 

 stock wanted. In hardwood flooring the demand is satisfactory and It 

 is stated in some quarters that the Inquiries being received are indica- 

 tive of good business tor the next tew months to come. As is well 

 known the .yard and manufacturing trades are not carrying large stocks 

 and only buying what is called for. This latter method of buying has 

 created quite a demand for mixed car lots, but this kind of business, 

 coupled with the transit car business that Is finding its way into tlir 

 market at this time, does not tend to improve the price situation. S.. 

 tar the greatest weakness has developed in chestnut and poplar, but 

 it must be said that the rest of the list is pretty well held, thougli 

 occasional lots are sold at very low prices. Building figures as last 

 compiled show a gain in New York which indicates that the last half 

 of the current year will at least be an improvement over the same 

 period last year. It is noted that in line with slow trading of the past 

 several months permits for new buildings have steadily decreased, so the 

 last figures may be taken as a slL'n of renewed activity. Let us hope it 



-•< BUFFALO >= 



The hardwood trade has shown very little improvement during the past 

 month and the bulk of the business has been in mixed cars, usually con- 

 taining a number of different woods. There is little activity in any of the 

 hardwoods and prices are generally lower than they were a year ago. The 

 yards are quite well supplied with stocks, as the result of a steady inward 

 movement of lumber, but just at present there is not much stock coming in. 

 Lake lumber has not been received to any extent, though a couple of 

 cargoes have thus tar arrived for two different yards. 



Nothing is moving actively at present, the largest activity being in 

 oak and maple, which ;ire usually the woods most wanted. Plain oak is 

 rather weak, being ?2.00 or so under the price of a year ago. Quartered 

 oak is scarce, owing to the inactivity of many mills turning it out, and the 

 price is relatively firmer than plain. The flooring trade is fairly good, as 

 is usual at this season, both oak and maple flooring being in demand in 



=-< PHILADELPHIA y 



quiet is the general i 

 business at this time. The strenuous hustle 

 with business at a miniriium, selling becomes an expensive proposition. 

 The buyers refuse to be coaxed. Even fancy figures fail to loosen the 

 strings that bind the money bags. The early arrival of hot weather 

 has hastened the vacation fever, and the merchant has resigned him- 

 self to the inevitable. The promised record breaking crops and the 

 probable favorable decision of the Interstate Commerce Commission as 

 to the Ave per cent freight increase are the saving signs in these times 

 of actual or psychological depression. The consummation of these pend- 

 ing benefits to commerce it is generally believed will inaugurate the 

 desired material prosperity. The yard trade is considerably behind in 

 volume of business expected at the beginning of spring, and stocks are 

 below normal. Consumers are buying only for actual requirement, as 

 the waiting game is everywhere the rule. Values, although not on the 

 slump, show a weakening here and there, due mainly to the over- 

 anxiety of some of the manufacturers to sell. Stocks at mill end on the 



VENEER 



We will make attractive sales 



on the following if we hear 



from you Immediately: 



1 car 3 8 FAS Quartered 



White Oak 



2 cars 3 8 FAS Plain Red 



Oak 



2 cars Yz" FAS Quartered 



White Oak 

 1 car Yz" No. 1 Common 

 Quartered White Oak 



3 cars Yz" FAS Plain Red 



Oak Rotary Veneers — 

 our own manufacture 



Stimson Veneer & Lumber Co. 



Memphis Tennessee 



•"THESE fine logs waiting 

 ■^ to be cut for you. Send 

 us your specifications — our 

 price no higher, while our 

 quality is better than most 

 cutters'. 



.\DDRESS INQUIRIES TO 



Merrill Veneer Company 



Merrill, Wisconsin 



