The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-05
1HEIUMBER FIGURES
Statistics Show Strong White Pine
Market.
HARDWARE PRICES HIGHER
HIGHER
Nails aud Wire Have Taken an Adj
vance During Week-Activity
In Implements.

Statfstfcally white pine lumber is stronger
at the end of January than. it was with the
nrst OK the Year, although this was thought
impossible month ago. The record of Jan
uary shipments from Minneapolis shows a
gain OF Q Der cent. while the record of re-
ceiPts shows gain of Sc per cent. which
indicates to what an extent the famine exists
and also the low condition Of stocks at this
point. Total shipments were 24,75O.OoO feet,
as compared with 23,415,OOO feet the corre-
spending month a year ago. Total receipts
Tor january were 13,71O.COO feet. as against
s,745,00O feet tho corresponding month last
year, gain Of 4965, 900 feet,
The gain of 1885, 900 feet in the shipments,
in the face OF higher prices and a shortage in
supplies, Is considered phenomenal and is an
indication OF the prosperity Of the northwest.
This was nearly all made up the latter half
OF the month The first half of January
showed q movement corresponding to that
during the period year ago, but large
consumers such as railroads and manufactu-
rers who required white pine, after investigat-
ing the situation found that there was an
actual famine in prospect and placed their
orders. Retailers have also been in the mar
ket to an extent previously unknown at this
season Of the year, and have bought stocks
for their opening spring trade realizing that
it would be impossible month or so later
to supply their wants.
Further light is thrown on local stocks
when it IS known that of the 24.750, 900 feet
of lumber shipped out of the city. receipts
aggregated more than 80 per cent. and this
lumber was brought in from outside points
because local manufacturers were obliged to
obtain it to fill their current orders.
The price situation to-day on white pine is
stronger than week ago. Many additional
firms have put in effect individual lists of
their own advancing association lists 6Oc@$1
a thousand, and rigidy holding to these
new prices. In very few cutters can white
pine be bought on favorable price basis
a month ago, and practically every firm
in this and the other important northern
markets will be selling higher basis than
uniform lists before the first of next month.
Hardware Prices Are Firm.
Wire nails advanced in this market last
Friday 1Oc key and barbed wire was ad-
vanced sc a hundredWeight. The situation IN
these commodities is extremely strong. Local
wholesale handlers predict a shortage in pro-
duction before March l, and say that car lot
call UP to date has been the heaviest IN the
history of the northwest. Further nominal
advances in the near future are to be expected.
Machine bolts, carriage bolts, etc., have ad-
vancod' 8 per cent and are decidedly firm
Washers have advanced LOO a pound. ana
manufacturers hold firm views. A shortage Is
in prospect, and stocks the country over are
at very low point. The proposed comolna-
ton Of ak manufacturers seems to be an as
Sured Tact, ana WQlle 1t is LOO Curly " PIC
dict what the trend OF prices Will be. NJ is
believed they will be more uniform and ad-
vances will be made in some descriptions.
Tar paper and building paper is strongly held,
and the new combination in control IS eX-
pected to force uD prices as soon as there IS
a more active demand. Some manufacturers
have advanced empty paper shells 81 thou
sand and loaded gun shells in some descrlp-
lions, especially smo!eless powder, per
cent Primers have advanced zoo thousand
with some manufacturers. Fave trough ana
conductor pipe is likely to show higher tone
shortly, as material is strong basis
The Implement Situation. ..-
Movement of farm implements on spring
orders has actively commenced, and the ship
ping crews of all the large firms have about
all they can do. Car lot movement IS the
feature of the situation, and includes buggies,
wagons drills plows, corn tools and cultlVat-
ors and a fair sprinkling of small farm uten-
sils Some late sleigh trade is reported as
result of the recent SHOWS. but II IS not
large in volume. Gasolene engines and pump
machinery is in fair request. Movement to
North Dakota and northern Minnesota is one
of the features of the situation at present.