The L'Anse sentinel., 1896-11-21
CURRENT LUMBER MARKET
CONDITIONS.

CONDITIONS.
Reports from the several markets
this week are burdened with eXulta-
tion and felicitation at the result of
the recent election. 1t is evident
that lumbermen east and west, north
and south, were on the side of sound
money, stable government, progress
and prosperity The victory at the
polls was distinctly and emphatical-
ly their triumph. The past of gloom
and depression has been ordered out
of the consideration, and all are look
ing into the future with satisfaction
and cheerful expectation. Not note
of doubt is expressed in our cores
| pondence. 1t is too soon after the
shouting to look for a pronounced
rise of demand, but there has been
Improvement Prices all along the
line have hardened, and generally
there has been an appreciable ad-
vance. The sellers of lumber have
ceased to be suppliants for favors.
They are now making prices on lum-
Der and insisting on them. If buyers
hesitate, there is not the old oppor-
tunity in urging them to purchase
lumber. Manufacturers and whole
sale dealers feel that they are now
treading on firm ground. Nothing
menaces to make weak market,
but all conditions promise increas-
ing strength and higher prices.
1t cannot be expected that the
dealers will jump in and buy lavish
ly all at ance. They will need time
to recover their bearings and make
sure of their position. The habit of
caution is still strong with them.
They will be inclined to feel their
way with both eyes open. But the
mists will clear, and the way will
open broad and firm before them.
The holders of lumber are right in
insisting on advanced prices. Stocks
have been restricted in most lines.
There is no burdensome surplus at
the mills or in the markets. The re-
tail trade has small stocks. Con-
sumcrs have accumulated little dur
ing the period of low prices, because
they lacked faith in the future.
Their faith has revived. The money
market is easier. Credit to those
worthy Of credit has been restored.
The way is open for doing business.
and business will be done Stocks
of lumber will be wanted. There is
vacuum to be filled Inquiry on
larger scale has begun. Consumers
and dealers are looking about for
lumber to fill up exhausted stocks
and broken assortments. Consump-
tion is increasing, moderately, to be
be sure, but yet increasing. The
outlook is bright. If a great swell
of demand does not come this fall,
it will put in an appearance early i'm
the new year. 1t is too late in the
season to expect a pronounced en-
largemeut of demand for building
material, but in the manufacturing
line there will be an au ymenting
requirement. 1t will be appreciable
before January; after that it will be
a bulge. Manufacturers and whole
sale dealers realize this; hence their
firmer holding and demand for some
what higher prices. They would be
recreant to their interests if they
did not take this attitude. Besides
the Legitimate results of election
should re-establish prices on higher
basis. Ante-election figures were
abnormally low. They were ficti-
tious, forced by extraordinary con-
ditions. Prices must now spring
back to the normal. Producers must
cease to give away their lumber by
selling it below cost. This is the
virtue Of the matter. Depressing
influences have passed to the rear.
Conditions favor demand and higher
prices. The man must be blind who
cannot see this obvious fact.
Such increase of movement as has
taken place since election has been
largely of lumber which was before
sold with delivery contingent on the
result of the vote. Few of such con-
tracts have been Cancelled. Opera
tions before winter will consist to a
degree in getting such stock to des-
tination and putting it in yard. Be
sides there will be some new bust
ness. The season promises to close
with more life in trade than was
thought probable two months ago.
Manufacturers and dealers are
serene, because they now look out
upon period of increasing demand
and advancing prices, which assures
fair profits. Health has succeeded
sickness, hope follows. despair; all
becauSe the election went the RIGHT
way.--Northwestern Lumberman.