HARDWOOD RECORD 



middle or end of this montli it is entirely probable that the country will 

 have become more or less adjusted to the new conditions and will have 

 begun to look around for new markets abroad and the expansion of the 

 home markets. 



There is a great deal of significance in the surprisingly favorable build- 

 ing reports which are coming in from all parts of the country. With this 

 condition continuing a much better outlook tor lumber Is promised. The 

 general disorganization of the financial and industrial business has not 

 seemingly had an undue effect on plans for building during the fall and 

 winter. There is, of course, considerable retrenchment in most lines but 

 it can be reasonably believed that this is a result of conservatism rather 

 than pessimism. 



=-< BUFFALO >• 



The hardwood market is in about the same position as a month ago, 

 with not much stock moving and bu.vers little disposed to take in lum- 

 ber in any -quantity. The lack of e-xport business in hardwoods has 

 had the effect of keeping prices down, although no report is received of 

 .severe price-cutting. It is generally felt by lumbermen that before very 

 long the market will gather strength and that business will again be 

 on a pretty satisfactory scale. 



The furniture factories are not doing much at present and reports 

 from one of the near-by centers of that industry are to the effect that 

 the output is smaller than usual there, while some factories are closed. 

 Handlers of flooring are finding trade fairly good, but there is con- 

 siderable competition and prices are not so strong as a short time ago. 

 Plain oak is moving best among hardwoods and prices hold as firm as 

 in most other sorts of lumber. 



The manufacturers in this part of the state are much interested in 

 the possibility of developing new trade in South America and steps have 

 been taken toward that end. A meeting was held lately at the Iroquois 

 Hotel under the auspices of the Chamber of Commerce and about 200 

 business men attended, the object being to co-operate in the promotion 

 of export business. The meeting was presided over by Burwell S. Cutler 

 of the Cutler Desk Company. A resolution was adopted calling for 

 the appointment of twelve business men "to look into the feasibility of 

 forming a permanent organization of the business interests of this sec- 

 tion of the state to foster our export trade, and to report to another 

 meeting to be held in the near future." 



A. W. Bayard, editor of La Hacienda, a farm paper published in this 

 city in the Spanish language, spoke of the trade conditions In South 

 America and said in conclusion : "If Buffalo embraces its opportunities, 

 it needs no prophetic vision to see an American merchant marine proudly 

 sailing into Latin-American harbors, laden with Buffalo-made goods — 

 pianos, autos, mariuo engines, machinery and what not — to be shipped 



the 



pin 



rai 



rolled in Buffalo.' 



■< PHILADELPHIA >■ 



There has been no distinctive change in the hardwood situation since 

 a fortnight ago. Now that the first staggering shock from the racking 

 European war has subsided somewhat, business men, the lumbermen 

 particularly, are beginning to realize that as an offset to some of the 

 serious disturbances to this country, not a few benefits may be reckoned 

 upon. The blockading of European ports and the danger to shipping 

 in the East, naturally renders feasible the opening of a market in South 

 America and at other neutral points which are ready to meet the Amer- 

 ican merchant on a desirable reciprocity basis. Also, now that this 

 country is so seriously handicapped commercially, she is brought to see 

 the great loss in not haying a merchant marine, and a strong appeal is 

 being made to the government to take the initiative in establishing an 

 American fleet, which, if consummated, will prove of everlasting service 

 not only to the lumbermen but to a long-fettered trade generally. 



The duration and possible outcome of the European war is of course 

 problematical, and although viewed with horror by the American busi- 

 ness men, it behooves them to seek trade in quarters wherever available. 

 Sales are still of the hand-to-mouth character, but prices on the whole 

 are steady, and now that the merchant is getting bis second wind, a 

 more hopeful opinion prevails as to outlook, and a sharp advance in 

 of all kinds is prophesied for the near future. 



X PITTSBURGH >- 



The lumber market here is decidedly bad, due to the European war 

 chiefly. Everybody looked tor good business this fall if that had not 

 occurred. Now it is hard to tell how long before the increase in busi- 

 ness resulting from the depletion of Europe will actually get to manu- 

 facturers and wholesalers. Prices are being cut hard. Yard trade is 

 light, between seasons. Inquiry from manufacturers is of the hand-to- 

 mouth kind and requisitions from railroads are at present very few. 



=■< BALTIMORE >-^ 



Under the prevailing circumstances it was not to be expected that 

 the hardwood trade would be active at this time. With exports ma- 

 terially reduced and with many of the industries at home affected by 

 the war in Europe, the demand for hardwoods has halted in many di- 

 rections, being decidedly curtailed where It was not completely ar- 

 rested. But opinions among the hardwood men are not unanimous as 



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 %" No. 1 Common 

 Quartered White Oak 



3 cars Yz" FAS Plain Red 



Oak Rotary Veneers — 

 our own manufacture 



Stimson Veneer & Lumber Co. 



Memphis Tennessee 



nrHESE fine logs waiting 

 •*• to be cut for you. Send 

 us your specifications — our 

 price no higher, while our 

 quality is better than most 

 cutters'. 



ADDRESS INQUIRIES TO 



Merrill Veneer Company 



Merrill, Wisconsin 



