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HARDWOOD RECORD 



Hardwood Market. 



(By HABCWOOD BECOBD Exclusive Market Bepoxters.) 



Chicago. 



Tbeie are no new features in the kK-al hard- 

 wood trade. Business can be denominated as 

 simply fair, wliicli is saying a good deal for 

 midsummer in Chicago, when very little business 

 is done normally. It is well known that the 

 furniture manufacturers' order books are well 

 filled, which will mean a big fall trade for Chi- 

 cago wholesalers. The interior finish people are 

 also loaded with advance orders, and this line 

 will also require some large quantities of hard- 

 woods. Tlie flooring people are also busy and 

 will be obliged to put in additional stock. Alto- 

 gether the outlook is most promising for the big- 

 gest fall and early winter hardwood trade ever 

 enjoyed in this market. 



Boston. 



In speaking of the local hardwood market 

 dealers show no enthusiasm over present con- 

 ditions, but for the future the outlook is con- 

 sidered good. Building operations which have 

 been held up for months owing to the high 

 prices of lumber are now starting up. It is 

 reported that many plans that have been held 

 in architects' offices for several months are now 

 being figured with the intention of going right 

 nhead with them. The signs of revival lead 

 the manufacturers of interior finish to look for 

 a much better demand. At present this branch 

 nf the hardwood industry is fairly busy, but 

 the inquiry for lumber is not large. With the 

 manufacturers of furniture business is fairly ac- 

 tive and fair orders for stock are received. One 

 large dealer states that his customers are mak- 

 ing preparations to use southern and western 

 hardwoods to a larger extent. They have been 

 using native hardwoods, but owing to the diffi- 

 culty in getting all that they require and be- 

 cause of the strong advance they plan to get 

 supplies elsew'here. 



Offerings are fairly large, and in some in- 

 stances a surplus is reported. The demand for 

 plain oak is not active. Offerings are larger 

 and the market has developed an easier feeling, 

 although prices are no lower than two weeks 

 ago. Quartered oak does not show any activity, 

 and prices are not as high in all instances as 

 they were. Maple flooring is quiet here, but 

 those who sell the New York and Pennsylvania 

 trade report a fair demand. Prices are gener- 

 ally held right up to the list, with the exception 

 of an occasional surplus stock. Kough maple is 

 very firm and will have a tendency to keep up 

 the price of flooring. The whitewood ma;ket is 

 firmer, as the liver mills are reported as shut 

 down. Cypress is in moderate call, but firm. 



New York. 



Tbere is no denying the fact that there is 

 much less complaint heard of business conditions 

 than for some weeks past. Indeed, a trip 

 through the district reveals a very fair volume 

 of business in all branches of the trade, with 

 prospects bright for an active fall. Stocks in 

 the hands of buyers, however, are quite plenti- 

 ful, which explains slow purchasing. Here and 

 there some concessions are noted on small lots 

 of hardwoods, but the salient feature of the 

 wholesale market to-day is the manner in which 

 the stronger interests are holding any stocks in 

 hand rather than force or bear the market. 



There is no question but that stocks of good, 

 well manufactured hardwoods in shipping con- 

 dition are light and badly broken. Such being 

 the case, those houses having possession of any 

 amount of good stock are not disturbed in the 

 least over any lack of inquiry at this normally 

 quiet season. 



Business among the furniture, piano and nov- 

 elty manufacturers is taking on more briskness 

 to take care of the holiday goods, all of which 

 will improve conditions from now on. 



The leading stocks in current transactions are 

 Ijlain oak, ash, birch and chestnut, on all of 

 which prices are very Arm. Poplar is not quite 

 -o active, but prices are steady. Quartered oak 

 iind maple are quiet. 



Philadelphia. 



A larse proportiou rf the firms in the local 

 market find conditions now much better than 

 during the latter part of June and the first part 

 of .July. TTie outlook at that time was for a 

 decidedly dull season in hardwoods and, al- 

 though the situation to date has not come up 

 to the standard of last year, the proportion of 

 business done has been fairly satisfactory. 



Chestnut and oak liave been moving freely, 

 with ash and basswood in good demand. Poplar 

 continues a ready seller, and there is little dif- 

 ficulty in disposing of stocks. T"he furniture fac- 

 tories supplied by the Philadelphia trade seem 

 to be well stocked, although they still buy in 

 small lots. 



One hopeful feature of the market is that 

 business seems to bo picking up and tbere are 

 inquiries out for many new jobs that promise 

 well. Prices are steadily maintained all along 

 the line, and indications are that they will 



continue so. 



Baltimoie, 



The hardwood trade of this section keeps up 

 surprisingly well. The leading woods are in 

 active call and the usual quiet of midsummer 

 has not been experienced. Oak continues to be 

 very active, all the mills being busy and con- 

 sumers placing orders whenever dealers are will- 

 ing to take them. The range of values continues 

 high, and manufacturers are able virtually to 

 command Their own terms. 



The demand is also quite active from abroad, 

 though foreign buyers continue to evince a dis- 

 position to insist upon lower prices, and com- 

 plain because exporters decline to rush supplies 

 at the values offered. There are allegations that 

 exporters disregard their contracts because they 

 have to pay more for lumber than they counted 

 on when they took prders. and are evading ship- 

 ments because they might lose a little money. 

 As a matter of fact, there is no evading of con- 

 tracts. Every shipper of standing will live up 

 to his obligations, and if any default occurs, 

 the offender is the irresponsible dealer, whom the 

 foreign buyer or broker gives the preference be- 

 cause he names low prices. As a matter of fact, 

 the production of lumber this summer has been 

 rather below the average on account of bad 

 weather and for other reasons. The railroads 

 and other big users have been heavy buyers, so 

 that stocks are low and difficult to get. If ex- 

 porters are behind in deliveries, some good rea- 

 son can be given for the delay. 



Ash is almost as active as oak, and brings 

 excellent prices. The mills have plenty of or- 

 ders for ash and good stocks are quickly taken 

 up. Chestnut, beech and all other hardwoods 

 are moving freely at satisfactory prices. Poplar 

 retains its hold upon the trade, with moderate 

 prices ; the wood took a turn upward, and long 

 since regained everything it lost temporarily by 

 the insistence upon inordinate figures. Manu- 

 facturers find it easy to dispose of their output, 

 though the capacity of plants is being taxed to 

 the utmost, and the trade is in fine condition. 

 As for walnut, all the good lumber and logs 

 that reach the market find buyers. Stocks are 

 also being shipped abroad in considerable quan- 

 tities, and the outlook is very favorable. 



Pittshurg. 



There is snap to the hardwood market and 

 the usual midsummer dullness has not been felt 

 in Pittsburg. It's the hardwood men's inning. 

 This summer they can sit in their offices and 

 sell more lumber every day than their mills 

 can cut. And they are getting prices for it, 

 too. 



There is no doubt but that hardwoods have 

 held the center of the stage for the last three 

 months in Pittsburg. Inquiry has been better 

 even than was anticipated on account of the 



labor troubles. In the face of this demand 

 prices have taken an upward turn. For good 

 stocks and quick deliveries premiums are being 

 paid every day. From the mills there is prac- 

 tically one report coming, namely, that the ca- 

 pacity of the mills is being taxed to the utmost 

 to supply the current demand, and that no 

 stocks are being accumulated for fall and winter 

 trade. 



Oak is far and away the leader in this 

 market. Prices are considerably higher than 

 tliirty days ago, and promise to be advanced 

 again when the September market starts. All 

 grades of oak are in most active demand, and 

 it is simply a problem of getting stock that is 

 fit for shipment and can be delivered promptly. 



Chestnut is an active seller, although it is 

 not moving as fast as several weeks ago. There 

 is a steady call for cherry, walnut and birch 

 from the furniture firms of Michigan and Ohio, 

 as well as from Buffalo and other lake ports. 

 Ties are wanted. Railroads are supplying a 

 large portion of their own stocks, but the trac- 

 tion companies are and will be heavy buyers all 

 fall. I-ong sticks are also in excellent demand 

 and much oak is being used in the government 

 repair work on the rivers. Maple is in good 

 call, especially flooring. The demand for hickory 

 :ind ash has increased within the last two weeks, 

 and local firms are shipping some nice orders 

 lo the Middle West. 



Buffalo. 



There is the same active tone to the hard- 

 wood trade that has prevailed all the season. 

 It is true at least now that the hardwood trade 

 has kept up all summer, while white pine has 

 suffered a large falling off. with prices none too 

 St rong. 



A few hardwood dealers say that plain oak Is 

 not as strong as it was, and while it is a fact 

 that the supply is larger than was looked for, 

 that is merely because it was predicted early 

 that it would be very broken by midsummer. 

 D'ealers who have been to the furniture exposi- 

 tions and are acquainted with that trade say 

 that the feeling there has been of the best, so 

 that there is nothing to fear from such woods 

 as plain oak. 



Birch is more active and also more plentiful 

 than for some time, and it has helped oak out 

 very much, probably being responsible lor the 

 quiet condition of quartered oak right along. 

 Still dealers are carrying more mahi^gany than 

 they used to, so that price is not the whole of 

 the matter. 



There is no improvement in the supply of 

 chestnut and ash, though the demand for them 

 is such that dealers are picking up all they can 

 find. Some dealers think poplar is a little more 

 plenty, but others say it has not come their 

 way. 



There is quite an amount of Michigan hard 

 wood coming in by lake, especially elm and bass- 

 wood, which have been quiet for a long time, 

 liut are now improving. 



Saginaw 'Valley. 



.luly business was somewhat slow, but trade 

 is showing more life than usual at this date 

 in August, and dealers take it as an indication 

 .it assured activity later on. Prices hold firm 

 and while there is considerable inquiry for stock, 

 enough is coming in to keep supplies ample for 

 requirements. Mills are running steadily and 

 unless there should result an extraordinary vol- 

 ume of business there will be enough lumber to 

 meet the demands of the trade. While some 

 manufacturers sold their season output of maple 

 early in the season and are consequently out of 

 the market there U rather more maple manu 

 factured than the trade can readily assimilate, 

 and it has manifested more sluggishness than 

 other varieties of hardwood with the possible 

 exception of birch, .^sh holds firm under limited 

 stocks and elm is steady. Basswood is doing 

 well; beech is a little stronger, but birch is 

 rather slow in movement. 



