The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-15
LUMBER IS ACTIVE
Many Dealers Here Buying for
Spring.
PRICES REMAIN VERY STEADY
Single and Hardwood Lumber Mar
kets Are Ftrm-Heavy Demand
for Candies.

The annual lumber convention in this city
during the week brought in large number
of retail dealers, who are buying freely fol
spring account Buying activity is probably
more pronounced than the corresponding
date year ago when the retailers were here
due to several causes. . Principally among
these may be mentioned the almost universal
opinion held among the smaller dealers that
further advance in wholesale prices is in
contemplation. The white pine situation is
so strong statistically and in every other re-
spect that such an advance would not create
any surprise among the retail trade.
The car shortage continues to be factor.
With a prospect that the car deficiency will
become more pronounced during the next
three or four weeks. owing to the heavy move
ment of merchandise in other lines. retailers
are buying now and are urging forward
movement Of white pine that 1t may be deiV-
cred in time to meet their requirements. Fur
Their than this, the situation is strong owing
to the very poor assortments in many quar-
ters.
This increased buying activity has only
made the price situation stronger. Manufac-
turers have been making no concessions to
secure trade for some time. Now, many of
them are not anxious to sell when they can
obtain full prices, and the market is the
strongest it was ever known to be. The lum-
Der famine continues to develop and is reach
ing important proportions.
Shortages in Stocks Numerous.
Shortages in the supply of white pine lum-
Der continue to increase. Siding aua selects
are almost impossible to obtain in many
quarters. Situation as to No l and NO.
boards is the worst ever known, and in some
sections it is reported that the very heavy
demand for No. 3 has reduced the stocks Of
the latter to a very low point Dimension Is
in worse position to supply than it was
q month ago. Heavy tiulbers and large sizes
are almost impossible to obtain in fully half
of the yards in the Mississippi valley. Shin
giles and lath continue unusually strong, with
the supply of the latter at such low point
that orders are frequently turned down. Inc
shortage in shingles does not have such a
wide effect, however although 1t is notice.
able feature Of the situation, owing to the tact
that both white and red cedar are USED IN lieu
of white pine in a large proportion OF the
modern buildings. Buying activity this week
has accentuateG the shortages notice ABOVE
and many retailers through personal contact
with manufacturers or jobbers have come to
a realizing sense Of the actual condition OF
the market.
Hardwood Lumber Is Ffrmer.
Hardwood lumber has shown strengthen
ing tendency during the past fortnight, ana
generally speaking is showing a strong to
higher basis Red and waite oak are easily
the leaders among hardWoods and are au-
Tancing to a nominal extent in many quar-
tiers. Supply is short Of the demand. Bass
wood is also reported as in light supply, with
a firmer undertone to the market. Blrch ana
elm are showing more activity. Maple con-
tinues on quiet basis, with buyers some
what indifferent.
The Single Situation.
Red and white cedar shingles continue to
show increasing strength and have advanc ed
during the past fortnight. In red cedar Star
A Stars are selling now on the basis OF 81. 4oQ
$50 Most holders are firm in their views and
demand full prices, and the only movement at
the lower range noted above is on long lines
in seml-jobblng way. Clears are repre-
scented by 81 S5Q29 with considerable bust
ness reported at the latter figure. White &C.
dars are selling at S2.1o and are also on a
firm basis.
Quiet COoperage Market.
An indifferent cooperage market exists,
largely owing to the light demand for made
I'D packages from local millers. Some or the
mills are down, and consumption Is therefore
below normal. Price situation or meaning,
slaves and hoops is largely nominal.
Good Candy Market.
An active candy market is reported by local
gagged at full capacity Expansion occurred
with. many manufacturers locally with the
first Of the year, either by adding new travel
ers or making arrangements to increase their
output, Price situation is steady. Materials,
including glucose, refined sugar, chocolate
nuts etc., are steady and unchanged.