The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-09-05
LUMBER TRADE
IS IMPROVING
REPORTS FROM LUMBER GEN.
TIERS THE MOST OPTIMISTIC
SINCE THE BANNER PERIOD OF
1eo6-07.

Reports from all lumber centers in
the South this week, says the Trades
man, are the most optimistic received
since the banner period of 19O6-O7.
Concerns that last week reported a
bright outlook this week report an
excellent business with a brisk &C
tual movement. The fall movement
of lumber to the retailers in agri-
cultural sections is now on which,
added to the increased demand from
manufacturers, gives the lumber fra
teTnity about all they are prepared to
handle. Unless a car shortage ma
teTialiy inteTfeTes with the move
ment this fall, which is even more
than likely, the fall trade will prOba-
bly, be the largest the lumber indus
try has ever seen. Although the &C
tuaI consumption Of lumber this fall
will hardly equal a few good seasons
in the past, the movement and sale
will probably be greater, chargable
to the fact that yards everywhere
have carried as light stocks as their
trade would permit during the past
two years. Now that business in all
lines is reviving and no storm clouds
are in the horizon retailers as well as
industrial concerns will fill their
yards and prepare for a larger bust
ness. Railroads are invading the
Southern market more and more each
week and some of them are placing
handsome orders. The repairing or
cars, depots, warehouses, etc. in ad-
ditiOn to the new work the roads are
compelled to do will make the rail-
roads larger buyers this fall and win
ter than indicated a few weeks ago.
1t is not likely that much new road
will be built this fall and winter for
the large systems are engaged just
now in putting their properties IN
condition. This may be followed by
building of new lines, but the repair
work must be done first.
In the furniture, vehicle, automo-
bile and other industrial centers the
demand for hardwood this month is
as good as could be desired, although
it has not yet reached the degree that
boosts prices. Prices are slowly ad-
vanCing on certain grades, but COM
mon stock is only holding firm with
an advancing tendency. In the oper-
ating centers the mills are all going
on full time and there appears to be
no fear of over-supply in the near
future.
In Hardware Lines.
Commenting on conditions with the
hardware trade the TTadesman says:
With crops maturing beyond the
point of uncertainty; with building
operations resumed for the fall sea-
son, and general conditions practical
" at normal, the hardware trade Of
the south is fast climbing in volume
to the Old-time sound and satisfac-
tory basis. The month of August has
proven TO - much better than deal
ers expected at the beginning Of the
month, and September starts in with
all conditions favorable. The in
crease in trade through August is at
tTibuted largely to the fact that all
members of the hardware fraternity
have been expecting advances in
prices, and retailers have ordered
little in advance. Shipments in many
instances, however, have been de-
layed as the retail trade in the South
is always light IN August. The
threatened car shortage the past ten
DAYS, however, has put many routing
orders on the road and this weeks
movement has been phenomenal.
There are fewer localities suffering
from drouths, floods and local annoy
ances than usual this year, which has
served to make the trade pretty even.
Cotton is now in a safe stage so far
as Weld Is concerned and the excel
lent prospects for high prices give all
the South q nerve tonic that Is help
full to all lines.
Farm machinery has been one OF
the most profitable lines for the
hardware retailers in the South this
summer, this trade being more than
double that of last year and even
better than 1907 Vehicles and other
branch lines of the hardware trade
have also been good, which places
the retailer in splendid financial con-
dition for the fall. Collections have
also been better than usual thus far
and jobbers are anticipating the best
season of their experience in this
particular. Back of all this is no
doubt the fact that country banks are
in excellent condition this year and
are amply able to take care Of their
merchants. Money is as cheap as
ever known at this season of the year
and while the great cotton move
ment is about on the banks appear
to be confident of their ability TO
| handle the crop with little inconveR
fence.
Iron and Coal.
The Tradesman's summary OF iron
and coal operations in the South
! says: There is a steady inquiry for
pig iron in the South and the furnace
companies are covering their proba-
bic make of the future just as they
desire to- The minimum price that
iron has been sold at now for some
| little time is $3.50 per ton, No. 2
foundry, while S14 has been sounded
out. There is not any great amount
Of iron to be sold by Southern manu-
facturers, the business transacted in
the past three months aggTegating
well and taking care Of the probable
make for three months yet to come
at least The make is to be in
creased some during the month Of
September. In October there will be
a still better improvement in the out
put. Between now and the end of
that month it is figured that eight fur