The Minneapolis journal., 1902-01-01
FOR YEAR
Market Has Been Advanced Three
4 Times.
MOVEMENT SHOWS GOOD GAIN
Owing to Shortages In Supply Mar
ket Closes 1901, Stronger Than
1t Opened the Year.

A brief Retrospective glance at the
white pine lumber markets for the year
will show the substantial price gains made
during 1901, and will emphasize the firm
ness in the market at this time, fire.
quently referred to in T he urnal
Part of the present strength OF the Sit
uation Is due to the heavy movement.
With one day estimated this week on a
conservative basis, the total shipments
from Minneapolis were 465, 900 feet, as
against 399, 100000 feet in 1900, or a gain
of 66,950000 feet, or II per cent as COM
pared with the previous year. The re-
ceipts during 1901 with one day in this
week estimated were 11S,990,000 feet, as
against IS, ,245,000 feet in 1900, or gain
of nearly 80 per cent. These statistics re-
fleet the strong condition of the white
pine markets at the close of the year.
For ten years past the surplus stocks
carried over the season ending December
81, have been diminishing, and it is con
servatively estimated that they have de-
creased fully IL per cent. during 1901, as
compared with a year ago. Later figures
may increase, this to nearly Is per cent,
and in that event 1t will be seen that
considerable more than the cut during the
year has been absorbed by the demand.
Three advances in prices have occurred
during 1901. The first became effective
January 1, and amounted to so cents a
| thousand; the second occurred July 7,
and ranged from SO cents to $1.O0 thou
sand, while the third became effective De-
cember 3, and was from so cents to $1.O0
thousand, and in some sections $1.5O a
thousand.
These advances were not made until the
market was in a position to fully sustain
them. When stocks became reduced, and
demand showed an increase, they were
put in effect and not until then.
At the beginning of the new year white
pine is stronger than it was a year ago.
Stocks are so reduced that in many yards
it is impossible to fill a carlot order, ac-
cording to specifications, without buying
from outside. This is especially true in
the Mississippi valley, south of Minneapo-
lis. ..
Another element of strength is found
in the fact that retailers stocks are at
very low point, and will need replenish-
ing before the spring demand commences.
In this connection it is stated that pros
poets are brighter for the January move
ment of white pine than ever before in
the history of the Minneapolis market.
Many orders placed early in January have
not yet been delivered owing to the ex-
listing car shortage, and also because
lumber according to required specifca-
tions was difficult to obtain. Full list
prices are being obtained on new busi-
ness, and the outlook indicates a further
advance in values during the early part
Of the year. ....
Hardwood Is Steady.
Hardwood lumber is on steady basis,
with red oak the firmest item on the list.
White oak is also in good demand, but is
hardly as firm as red. Birch and elm
are somewhat neglected, but Eastwood is
moving fairly we'll for this season of the
year. Prospects are for an advance in
the latter soon after the turn Of the
year.
Red Cedar Is Firm.
Red cedar shingles continue on a
strong basis, and while no important ad-
vances have occurred recently, local
handlers are holding for full prices. The
hrmness in the situation is indicated in
the fact that very little future business
IS being accepted by local handlers at the
current range, there being common i'm
preston that the market will advance
shortly after the turn Of the year.
Sash and Doors.
Seasonab1e business is quiet as is to be
expected at this season, but there Is
heavier inquiry for spring lines than usu-
al. Estimat tors are at work on some
special lines for spring delivery, and there
is every prospect of a good demand for
stock goods. Situation as to prices holds
very firm, owing to the condition OF the
lumber market.
White Cedar Products.
Mid-winter quietness prevails in white
! cedar products, and there is very little
demand for either posts or poles. Some
inunirec arc rpcnived for Snrinp delivery