The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-11-25
GOOD LUMBER YEAR
is PROMISED BY PRESENT oUT-
LOOK, THINK LOCAL DEALERS.
PRICES STEADILY ADVANCING
WHILE MILLS HAVE ALB THEY
CAN DO TO FIRST OF YEAR.

Harvey Granger, of the Granger
Stubs Lumber Co. Thinks the
Coming Season Will He One of the
Best in Many Years-Improvemen emit
Began with Receipts of Heavy
Orders from West-This Material
Needed for Car I3uiIding-Interior
Movement Relieved Pressure on
COastwise business and Helped
Trade All Round.
The Savannah lumber manufacture
ers and dealers after an exceedingly
lean" season extending from the early
spring of the present year up to
very short time ago are beginning to
see a 'fat'' season ahead. Not only
does the outlook appear most promts-
ing, but the Improvement is, in part,
already here. Prices have advanced
we'll above the level of those current
no longer than month or six weeks
ago, orders are plentiful. and the
mills are reported to be filled to their
capacity until thu first Of the new year
at least.
This is not only report, but is proved
by the fact that the mill men are re-
flushing new business, even on present
prices, and have turned down some or
ders offered at a decided advance, the
reason given being that lumber is now
steadily advancing. and will be worth
considerable more money after the
beginning of the new year.
Prosperous Year Ahead.
Mr.. Harvey Granger, of the Granger
Stubs Lumber Company, discussing
the condition of the trade yesterday,
said that everybody in the business is
busy, that the prices Of lumber are
stiffening every day and. though not
yet back to the place that they were
at the same period last year will, with
out doubt, reach that level shortly
and probably pass 1t. He believes, In
fact, that the coming year will be one
of the best in the history of the trade
at this port.
The fact that the election is over and
ont of the way, has helped things ma
terially, he said; for SO soon as the
big railroads saw that Roosevelt was
certain of election. they went ahead
with their plans for increasing their
supply Of cars and the Pennsylvania
and the New York Central and Hud-
son River have recently given out con-
tracts for 5000 cars EACH Reading for
1000 cars and other roads are either
giving out lesser contracts; or con-
template doing so shortly.
This demand for cars has caused a
decided increase in the call for yellow
pine from the West and interior gem
orally, With the result that mitch of
the lumber that formerly went coast
wise has been diverted to the interior,
and the prices for all kinds have gone
up both at the ports and at the mills
This Western business came first and
It is believed that it Is this that has
filled up all the mills in the local ter
fitory.
improvements in Ali Branches.
The Improvement is not confined to
any one branch Of the business, but is
general even cross-ties, that for a long
time have been very duh, have devel-
oped an increased demand, and show
signs Of a decided strengthening Of
price.
Mr.. William b. Stiliwell of the
Southern Pine Company. is another
prominent figure in the trade, who be-
lieves that a material Improvement is
now to be seen. and that 1t will be
very much more in evidence In a very
short time. He thinks, however, that
buyers at the Eastern markets are
either trying to keep the prices below
a normal level or else are not ac-
quaifited with the improved conditions
of the trade as they are offering or
ders at prices that the mill men will
not even consider,
The shipments Of lumber through this
port are also showing up in most sat
isfactory volume. the greater portion
of Them as usual. being by steam to
New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
though shipments by sail to these and
ports OF lesser Importance are also in
large volume.