The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-03-13
LUMBER PRICES UP.
Vermont Hardwoods Difficult to Obtain
Canadian Embargo Hurts.

The continued ear embargo by Cana
dian railroads has driven some of the
big local concerns to the Maine and
New Hampshire markets to supplement
their stocks; ii has boosted pr,ces; and
il has resulted in an unusual lack of
lumber on hand. Canada is still the
chief source Of lumber, but none of
the roads is letting free anv cars for
shipment except ears belonging to
American railroads. One of the largest
firms in the city, which is only a
branch of big Canadian company, has
not received carload of lumber from
the Dominion via the Intercolonial
railway in many weeks.
Vermont hardwoods are hardly less
difficult to get. One yard which usually
has half a million feet on hand, now
has only 100000. Another, whose
stocks have aggregated sometimes p
100000 feet, now has barely 100000
feet, and that is of a medium grade
not in great demand.
Practically no lumber is coming from
Michigan, the Carolinas or Georgia. In
January, 1916, for instance, one big
concern alone in North Carolina shipped
out 800 carloads. The past January
1t shipped %. The shipment of south
ern lumber is handicapped not only
by lack of ears, but lack of bottoms.
! And the old condition Of sca,city Of
! boats has been accumulated by Ger
man's Uboat warfare, which is not
only causing a congestion of boats, but
is making it impossible TO unload cars
The latter are being used for storage
for weeks at time
1 a of lal +pot l.
some difference, but not a great deal
in conditions brought about by the car
embargo by the Canadian roads. FoI
example, one big firm here has quaint
ty of lumber bought and paid for which
will come through from the st. Law
renee river, Three Rivers and the Que
bee and Reclersville sections of tht
Dominion. To offset this, however, thi,
same concern has untitled orders
amounting to - carloads or more
! Speculation in lumber is new condi
tion in Montreal, and that is affecting
prices. There is some speculation alsC
among wholesalers on this side of III,
border, who were lucky enough L
| stock up before the embargo took etf'ec
or earlier. Wholesalers both in Cana
da and the United States are not anx
!
over last year s prices. Most of then
are trying to serve their old customer:
and contenting themselves with that
Canadian ash can be sold now at 81,
per NJ. which last fall could have beer
bought at $50 or less. So-called bo,
lumber is being sold at s32 per NJ.
which a few months ago could be got
ten for S2j. One of the biggest Ca
madam concerns has contracted to cu
and deliver 100000 feet of sof
woods, mostly spruce, and is confirming
all Of its attention to executing tina
order. Twenty base lumbe
here is bringing S34 per NJ, which /:
: few months ago sold at $50. An extr;
/, inch or extra two feet adds a dolla
to the price Ill each instance
Maine is providing some spruce, blu
not a great deal. Freight rates ar
| high, and the demand has eaten int,
the supply.
The unusually heavy SHOWS this win
ter have been another factor. beside
, increased demands, the higher cost o
t labor, of camp supplies, etc, in bring
t ing up Canadian prices. All prices ar
| uncertain, because of the UNIVERSAL
peculiar transportation and trade con
5 ditiOns.