The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-05
QUIET IN LUMBER
Absence of Special Features of I'm
portance.
PRICES ARE WELL MAINTAINED
Red Cedar Shingles Showing m I'M
provement as to Price-Cnop-
erage Continues Quiet.

Locally the market white pine lumber
Is in quiet position, due to the continued
rainy weather through May. which curtailed
consumption at country points and put far
ulers ba.k with their work. Until seeding
is completed and farmers have time which is
not taken UP by routine labor, it is PROB
able that building operations in agricultural
sections will lag somewhat, and continued
duietness Ii the lumber trade during the first
half of the present month will cause no sur
prise. - ~
In the cities the continued rainy weather
has also interfered with building operations
to some extent, but the recovery from these
conditions will be more rapid. Men on con-
struction work were laid of Temporarily, but
have now resumed their labors, and, as
consequence, demand Is improving.
While new lumber continues to improve as
to supply, stocks with wholesale dealers are
not large, and, in fact, it is extremely doubt
full il there will be any large surplus in
wholesalers or manufacturers hands. Stocks
n ere reduced to such a lew point during the
spring that it will require a considerable
length Of time to get them back to the nor
NAL point, and if consumption continues as
heavy the last seven months OF the year as
1t has been the first five months the filling
out of stocks will hardly be accomplished
this season. ~.
Manufacturers and retailers are very firm
in their views Of the situation and the mar
ket is we'll sustained at full quotations. No
weakness Is evidenced anywhere.
Statistical Position of Pine.
Figures showing receipts and shipments
during May are now available, and while
there was "a falling off in shipments, it was
to be expected, when the condition Of stocks
was taken into consideration. Total ship
Iaents were 1890 600 feet as gainst SO, $50 900
feet in May, 1900, and 4,760 900 feet In May,
1901.
Receipts were 15,5s4,OO0 feet, as against
9,S70,000 feet in May last year, and 6,045 900
feet in May 1900 Thus. it is evident that
receipts during May of this year were equal,
within few thousand feet, of the total re-
ceipts during the same month in the two
previous years. This reflects stronger than
words the contention frequently made in T h e
o ur n that stocks locally had been in
adequate to the demands of the trade and
could not possibly provide for current con-
sumption. Shipments for the week ending
Tuesday night were 7,656,0 900 feet, as against
7648,000 feet the previous week, the differ
ence being due to the lack OF business Me
mortal Day. Receipts for the same period
were 2.9760oo feet, against 2,s4s, 900 feel
the previous week-a gain of 1861 900 feet
Red Cedar Shingles Higher.
The red-cedar market is showing a frme1
tone IN the absence Of active production and
extra star A stars are quoted on the basis Of
s2.5092. 60, with clears held firm at 81. $500
At these figures moderate amount Of bust
ness Is being transacted.
COOpernge Is Quiet.
Local cooperage market is dull and quiet
owing to the absence Of the usual active
consuming demand and most Of the loca
factories are working on old contracts. Head
ing is represented by quotations -4h@45s
with movement comparatively light. Slaves
are held at S7.75 for Wisconsin elm to- S. 2;
for No. Michigan stock There Is no pres
sure to Sell at these figures. Patent hoops
hold steady at $S75@9.
Sash and Doors Firm.
There is heavy movement of stock good
In sash and doors and estimators are at wor]
on special lines. Values are held very firm
owing to the advancing position of glass an
the strong market on white pine and othe
lumber. Screen trade is feature, with
shortage in some quarters, owing to inabilit
to procure wire cloth. Total screen sales +
date have been in excess of year ago.