The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-21
TIMBER SHORTAGE
White Pine Dimension Lumber Diff
flcult to Obtain.
PRICES MAY BE ADVANCED
Hardware Continues to Show Ad-
vancing Tendency-Glass Ex-
pected to Be Higher.

An increasing shortage in the supply of
white pine dimension lumber i'll eighteen
Spot lengths or longer Is a leading feature
Of the local lumber market. Through an
oversight innh stuff has been advanced be-
ycnd a parity with dimension, and manu-
tacturers prefer to produce the former
rather than the latter. The shortage in
dimension has reached such proportions
that some local firms have purchased
west coast fir with which to fill their
orders.
The market situation is very firm and
there Is decided sentiment in favor OF
making an advance in prices so that the
parity between inch stuff and dlmenslon
will be maintained. II this were done,
the production Of the latter would be in
creased and the market would again be
we'll supplied. -.
West coast products, including shingles
ard lumber, are showing much firmcr
tono In this market than formerly, owing
to the car shortage at the western termi-
nails Of the transcOntinental roads. This
shortage applies to east-bound freight,
and is due to the fact that rolling stock
has been Withdrawn from the coast and
sent to the northwest for use during the
fall movement of grain. Supplies OF
shingles and lumber are piled up in the
warehouses on the coast and cannot be
moved.
under favorable conditions and produc-
tion is again at the maximum point. There
is an abundant supply of logs in the river
and the stage of water is very satisfac-
tory for driving purposes.
Receipts and shipments are increasing,
rejecting larger demand for white pine.
Receipts for the week ending Tuesday
evening were 3,712 900, as against 3,440,000
for the previous week, an increase Of 372.-
900 feet. Shipments for the same period
were $4,000 feeet, as against $685. 900
feet the previous week, an increase of
1,1S6,000 feet. Harvesting is nearly over
now, and 1t is expected that the volume Of
business. especially from country dis
trcts, will be heavier from this time Tor
ward. Receipts of logs by rail for the
week were 164 cars. estimated to contain
9S4, 900 feet.
Hardware Continues Firm.
Some idea OF the difficulty of securing
hardware supplies, may be obtained when
It is known that orders placed for iron
and steel by local wholesale houses in
February and March were not delivered
until within the past fortnight. Deliver
les should have been made not later than
May or the early part of June. Owing to
the heavy demand, the price situation on
all classes of goods remains firm. Sta
pies, such as wire and nails, are without
important change. WenZelmann's hay
rack brackets have advanced per cent.
Manufacturers of shovels have announced
some lower prices for the coming season
owing to close competition. Cordage is
stronger, burt no actual advance has yet
occurred, although 1t is fully warranted
New list prices on ice skates for the COM
ing season have been made and are lower
Royal steel ware prices have been re-
vlsed and are lower on some descriptions
School slatcs hold firm.
Glass Due to Advance.
A further advance in window glass
amounting to 10 per cent is expected tc
occur with the turn Of the month. New
glass will not be available here till the
middle of November or later, and ole
stocks are so low as to create a very firm
feeling.