The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-23
RUN ON PART TINE
Local Mills Cannot Get Sufficient
Logs.
APRIL CUT MAY BE VERY LIGHT
Local Furniture Market Is Very
Firm With Some Lines Advance
ing-Cooperage Market.

While practically all of the local sawmillS
are under power, they are not cutting up
to their capacity, and in many instances run
only part time. In view of these conditions,
and the late start which the mills got this
year, there is every prospect that the total
cut of white pine lumber for April will be
the lightest for several years Rains late
this month may help out the record, but pres
ent prospects indicate very small cut as conf
pared with last year and with the banner
year OF 1890. II
Turning logs is conducted under the most
discouraging of conditions. The water in the
river is the lowest ever known at this season.
or any ether, in fact, and logs are moved
from the river to the mill at an increased
cost of 300 per cent over year ago. Then
the men at the sorting-gap work only part
of the time A south wind blowing up the
river prevents the logs from coming down
and cuts off the supply, while the river is so
sluggish in current that logs arrive inter-
mittently and only after hard work on the
part of the driving crews when conditions
are more favorable. Due to these conditions,
it was reported last night that some of the
local mills had only sufficient quantities IN
their ponds to last them twenty four hours,
and with a further fall in the river would
be obliged to close down inside Of few
days at latest. Were it not for the extraordi
nary demand for lumber, it is probable that
no effort would be made at this time to turn
logs: hut demand for lumber is becoming
more active every day. and it is felt on the
part of manufacturers that they must keep
their saws going if it is possible to do so.
The market continues firm on all descrip
lions Of white pine. There is a very heavy
demand from western and southwestern points
and retailers are more actively in the market
for supplies than ever before. Locally there
Is also a very active demand from builders
and contractors. Preliminary work new
buildings. such as excavatng and putting in
foundations, is being rapidly completed, and
the first insta lments of lumber are necessary
to permit the continuation of work. Supplies
not always Gbtainable from local firms
direct, but the latter are shipping in larger
quantities than before from points where
the supply is more generous, to fill orders
until new lumber shall be available, which
ought to be within comparatively short
time now.
Furniture Is Firm.
With the first quarter Of the year ended local
furniture manufacturers are taking account
OF business, and find that volume OF trade this
year was heavily in excess of a year ago.
Demand is constantly increasing, and to meet
1t, large local firms nearly all increasing
their capacity and getting ready for the late
summer and fall campaign. The price stua-
ton is very firm on all descriptions of COM
mon furniture. due to the strength of the raw
material marked and heavy demand List
prices are more fully lived up to than for
some months and concessions, even on car
lot orders, are rarely granted. Manufac-
turers of upholstered furniture have with
drawn former prices and are putting a new
list in effect, which is slightly higher. This
advance is due to an advance in couch frames
and practically every line of material which
enters into upholstered goods.
CooperaGe Is stendy.
Shops fairly busy and are good con
sumers on old contracts. New business IL
cooperage stock Is quiet, with prices yer.
steady.
White Cedar Active.
White cedar is very active basis, will
a good demand and many "hurry-up" ORDER
coming forward to meet the requirements o
consumption. Four and five iuch rounds ar
especially in active request and in shor
supply. Railroad consumption is also re
quiring large quantities of telephone poles
notably those in short lengths. and supply i
inadequate. Prices are firm throughout tn
list.