flaMwoi RocoM 



Published In the Interest of Hardwood Lumber. American Hardwood Forests, Wood Veneer Industry, Hardwood Flooring, 

 Hardwood Interior Finish. Wood Chemicals, Saw Mill and WoodworKlng Machinery. 



Vol. XXIV. 



CHICAGO. AUGUST 25. 1907. 



No. 9. 



Published on the 10th and 25th of each month by 



THE HARDWOOD COMPANY 



HENRY H. GIBSON. EdiCor. EDGAR H. DEFEBAUGH, Manager. 



7th Floor, Ellsworth BIdg.. 355 Dearborn St., Chicago, III., U.S.A. 



Telephone Harrison 4960 



Easlern Office: 319 Land Title Building, Philadelphia. Jacob Holtzman, Representative. 



TERMS OF ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION 



In the United States, Canada, Philippine Islands and Mexico . S2.00 



In all other countries in Universal Postal Union ..... 3.00 



Subscriptions are payable in advance, and in default of written orders tc the 

 contrary are continued at our option. 



Entered at Chicago Postoffice as Second Class Matter. 



Advertising copy must be received five doLys in aLdv&.nce of 

 publication da.te. Advertising rates on application. 



MEETING OF HAJSTDLE MANUFACTTJEERS. 



Agreeable to the request of several leading handle manu- 

 facturers of the United States, and in accord with the ap- 

 proval of upward of a hundred other manufacturers, a meet- 

 ing of these interests, including all the various lines of 

 handle production, is hereby called, to convene at 10 a. m., 

 Tuesday, October 8, at the Great Northern Hotel, Chicago. 

 The purposes of this meeting are fully outlined in an edito- 

 rial on this page. 



HENRY H. GIBSON, 

 EiUtor Hardwood Record. 



General Market Conditions. 



With the waning of summer the hardwood trade seems to be 

 strengthening in all the manufacturing and commercial centers of 

 the country. The slight lull of midsummer was not nearly so pro- 

 nounced as is usual at that time of year, and there is every prospect 

 now that trading in hardwood stocks will go forward with great 

 activity. 



The south country reports that there are not as many large orders 

 being booked at the present time as was expected, but that the bulk 

 of small orders is so great that all available dry stock is closely sold. 

 The weather has been very favorable for the production of lumber 

 for some weeks, and mills generally have been turning out a fair 

 amount of stock. However, there is no accumulation of any variety. 



In the north there never has been such a dearth of dry lumber as 

 at the present time and the demand is excellent. Poplar, oak, ash 

 and hickory are still the strongest sellers, but as noted there is no 

 accumulation anywhere of any variety of American hardwoods. 



Buying seems to be starting earlier than usual, as the car shortage 

 lesson of the last few years has taught wholesale consumers that they 

 must provide for their fall and winter requirements in advance of 

 the actual time when they will need stock, otherwise they will wait 

 a long time before being able to get it transported. With the 

 bountiful crops in sight another severe car shortage is imminent 

 and buyers are showing good judgment in placing orders early. 



The export trade is not in good shape on the whole. Desirable 

 orders from the other side are scarce and with few exceptions there 

 is no urgent call for any particular line of stock. This situation is 

 just as well, because the home market will take care of every foot 

 of hardwood that can be produced during the remainder of the 

 year at as good or better prices than can be achieved in Great Britain 

 or on the Continent. 



The veneer and panel business seems to be improving. Orders are 

 reasonably plentiful and prices have strengthened to a point where 

 manufacturers are getting a little profit out of the business. Un- 

 deniably values are still low and will enhance materially as time 

 goes on. 



The hardwood flooring plants are still very busy. While there are 

 not as many large orders offered as a few months ago, there is a 

 growing multitude of small requisitions which promise to keep plants 

 busily employed for a long time to come. The demand for mahogany 

 and other fancy woods is strong, and the general supply throughout 

 the country is short. 



The splendid crops in sight throughout the agricultural regions 

 make assurance doubly sure that there is another good year's business 

 in store for every branch of the hardwood industry. 



To Handle Manufacturers. 



On another page of this issue of the Hardwood Record is repro- 

 duced an editorial printed in the last issue, covering suggestions for 

 the formation of a handle association, with copy of the letter sent 

 to several hundred manufacturers and a score or more replies to it. 

 These replies with few exceptions are decidedly favorable to the 

 proposed organization, hence it is that the editor takes the Uberty 

 of issuing a call for a meeting in this relation, as will be noted on 

 this page. This meeting will be held October 8, in Chicago. From the 

 interest manifested in this movement it is believed that the confer- 

 ence will be attended by from two to three hundred handle manu- 

 facturers. 



While the editor of the Hardwood Record is familiar with general 

 association work, and various lines of lumber production, and has in 

 the past launched several associations that have proven eminently 

 successful and of vast benefit to several lines of the hardwood indus- 

 try, he must confess to a very limited knowledge of the handle busi- 

 ness. Therefore, if this initial meeting matures into a successful 

 handle association, covering in its divisions, as it should, the various 

 lines of handle production — it must be by the enthusiasm and hearty 

 cooperation of the individuals who are engaged in handle making. 



The Hardwood Record is spending a considerable sum of money 

 in this attempt, and has absolutely no interest in the proposition 

 aside from the betterment of this important branch of the hardwood 

 industry, and the slight profit accruing from a possible enhancement 

 of its subscription Ust. It will do everything within its power 

 toward the success of the undertaking, but must insist upon the 

 attendance and cooperation of all parties in interest to carry the 

 issue to a successful termination. 



The history of association work along all lines — manufacturing, 

 jobbing and retailing, in hardwoods and building woods, dimension 



