The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-22
THE LUMBER SUPPLY
Can the Mills Meet the Demand for
1902?
BUYING IN ADVANCE OF 1901
Northwestern Business
Gossip.

Can the mills of the white pine states
keep pace with the tremendous demand
for lumber promised for 1902? Lumber
manufacturers are figuring carefully. and
closely on possible results. Prospective
purchasers Of lumber are making many in
quiries.g Thousands OF people in
the eastern states and those of the mid
die west are Interested, from the railroad
manager with millions of dollars in i'm
provelnents to make to the farmer who
plans on building a neat little home on q
recently acquired western farm.
The beginning of what promises to be
the biggest year yet seen in the lumber
industry finds the manufacturers of white
pine lumber with 10000 900 feet less than
at the Beginning of the season of 1901.
This means that in supplying the demand
for lumber Of all grades the white pine
lumber makers begin their work in this
years campaign with 10 per cent less in
total boards than at the corresponding
period one year ago.
And the demand promises to be thing
of wonder even ito the Oldest band saw
owner in the business. In 1889 when trade
was considered good, the principal buyers
of lumber were the cities. In 1900 the
farmer began to bid for boards. The
building of big red barns On the plains
and the construction Of new farm homes
both Uretentious and modest, made the
farmer the big factor in the consumption
of lumber for 1901. The consumption in
the cities continued to increase. Build
ing permits in the principal cities of the
west called for an increase in the ex-
penditures of 1901 of "a per cent over any
previous Year. But on top OF all this the
farmer had "cut into the game" with a
still greater demand, and he is to remain
in the game making a cal for more and
more lumber in 1902.
A New Record Looked For.
That the saw mills of the United States
will turn out more lumber than ever this
year is a prediction freely made. The
white pine country which chiefly means
Minnesota and Wisconsin, the yellow pine
district in the south, and the Pacific coast
producers are each expected to make new
records. Minneapolis lu1nbermen hope to
cut this season 75,000,000 feet. In this
respect there has been a change of senti-
ment among the local lumbernen in the
past two months. When the mills closed
down at the approach Of winter with a to-
tai cut Of 560,000,0 900 feet, the opinion was
held by many Of the manufacturers that
Minneapolis mills would never again equal
that record. But logging operations this
winter have been carried on under favor
able conditions; there is big crop await
ing transportation to the mills and, though
there are several ''if's'' in the way, with a
good supply Of water In the driving
streams and favorable conditions at the
opening and close Of the season, Min
neapolis- lumbermen will take their
chances in demonstrating that the best
days in Minneapolis lumber production
are not yet gone.
Mississippi Valley Stocks.
The stocks of lumber in the Mississippi
and Wisconsin valleys, are about 25O, 1000, :
900 feet below those of a year ago. Lum-
Der stocks at the head of the lakes are
very low and SO per cent of this seasons
cut has been sold ahead Duluth and SUI
perior ship most Of their lumber to the
eastern states. Minneapolis lumber goes
principally to the Missouri river and
other sections of the near southwest.
Northern Minnesota mills supply the big
trade of North Dakota and a portion of
South Dakota as we'll as Manitoba. ter
ritory supposed to, be sacred to the
"king's own lumber makers.
Canada ssCuts In.''
It is significant that the imports Of
common lumber from Canada are increas-
ing in spite Of the 50 lumber duty. The
eastern states which have been good GUS
toners of white pine and are to-day TAX
ing all in sight at Duluth, are looking
for new sources Of supply. AS the price
has advanced, the Canadian has become
unusually enterprising and has taken
some big contracts out of the eastern
states. Imports from Canada this year
most of which will go into the eastern
states, will touch 7OO,OO0,O00 feet
AS the demand for lumber from the
southwest has increased, the scope Of the
manufacturers are able to serve is Less
ened. With the advance in price has
come a ray Of hope and a grain of en-
Fcouragement for the Pacific coast manu-
facturers in some sections. They are
still seeking of James ]. Hill q lower rail
rate with no better prospects In sight
than that the rate may be reduced when
Mr.. Hilrs trains haul many more loads