The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-02
GAIN FOR QUARTER
Lumber Shipments Exceed 1907 by
I5o,o 900 Feet.
LOW WATER PREVENTS SAVING
Local Implement Dealers Somewhat
Handicapped by Shortage
of Goods.

In spite Of the white pine famine which
has existed ever since January / and the
comparatively higher prices now ruling, the
shipments from Minneapolis for the first
quarter of the year show a gain of 100, 900
feet as compared with the same period last
year. Receipts have increased larger proper
tionately and show a gain of 6,27Q, 600 feet
over the same period last year. ~
Ihe table for the first three months OF
1907 makes the following showing as to
shipments: January "a 1904 900: February 81 =
O0S,0OO; March, 80, sos 900; total for quarter,
SS,s60,0o0. The showing the first three months
or 1901 was as follows: January, 23.416, 600;
February, 30,2 600; Marcn. S5, 065 900; total
for quarter, S,710,00o feet; increase this
year. 150,00 feet -, '.'.E. f"' -'
The receipts for the first quarter this year
We're: January 1870, coo feet; February. H.
100000 feet; March, 1l.730,000 total for three
months, S7.230o00. The receipts last year
We're: January, s,745. 900; February, II, 175 900;
March, II, 0i0, 900; total. so, $50 900 feet; gain
this year over last. 6,27o,OOO feet. March
receipts this year were the heaviest ever
known.
With adequate supplies of lumber with
which to fill orders the business of local
lumbermen during this quarter would have
been in excess OF any previous year Many
about 90 per cent Of the orders received ow-
Ing to the shortages In important descriptions
and dealers rather than order from other
sources have picked" up small quantities
of these short items to last them till new
lumber should be on the market. In this
way the total volume OF business has been
kept within very conservative limits and
does not represent the white pine demand
1t will be revealed when stocks Of lumber
are again at a point which will admit Of all
orders received being filed
A new factor in the situation Is the in
ability Of local sawmlls to commence oper-
attons owing to the low sage OF the river.
The water in the river to-day Is three feet
lower than 1t was on the corresponding date
a year ago and while there are plenty of logs
between Minneapolis and ST. Cloud they cam
not be moved for this reason. The storage
booms were opened last week, but large
proportion Of the 100, 0O0, 900 feet of logs
available either stuck in soft mud or arr
in water so shallow that, the current will not
bring them out into the main channel The
boom company has completed arrangements
and Will commence turning logs as soon us
the river will permit, but at present they are
powerless. Until there is a rise of at least a
foot in the Mississippi local mills dependent
upon river supplies Of logs will remain
closed. This interruption to the opening OF
the saving season with the white pine supply
lue lOWeSL ever hllOWn is Delng KeeQiy felu
among the manufacturers and is source OF
future loss to them. The price situation as
to all descriptions OF white pine remains
steady, with volume OF business for first
few days Of April fully up to the latter part
OF March.
Implement Shortage Felt.
Owing to the very heavy demands made
upon implement manufacturers this year and
their inability to Secure such supplies of
iron and steel as were necessary to their
requirements, shortage in the supply of
wagons. drills, harrows and other descrp-
lions Is reported at this time Shortage of
wagons Is most pronounced with drills COM
Ing next in order. Local wholesalers are
telegraphlng to factories every day In order
to get goods to meet current demands but
are unable to procure them. as the shortage
is general. Manufacturers are unable to get
deliveries on orders for materials booked sew
eral months ago, and when they have pro-
cured this material at the factory are de-
1ayed in getting it shipped owing to the
eastern car shortage. Some Interruption to
local deliveries in North Dakota and beyond
Is also reported by reason Of the immense
lake near Minot Price situation in all de-