Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-26
Z ~
LUMBER RETAILER
SAYS PRICES DOWN
TWO OTHERS DECLINE TO
QUOTE PRICES FOR PUB
LEGATION.
ONE YARD QUOTES DIMENSION
LUMBER NOW SIS LOWER
Extra Grade Shingles and Lath Have
Gone Down According to Two Deal
ers-Two Others Say No Cheaper
Grades of Lumber In Any Yards of
City Dealers.

Whether or not prices of lumber
actually are lower in this city, as
they have been reported to be in
Iowa, other Mississippi valley and
eastern cities, depends, it would seem
from inquiry made by the Times
Republican, on the. dealer who is
asked. Out of three asked for prices
and whether or not lumber, or GER
tain grades Of it. were lower than
they had been, two either said they
were not or refused to quote prices
while one admitted prices We're low
er and named the figures.
The inquiry tended to establish the
belief that at least some dealers who
have fairly large or large stocks OF
lumber bought at the higher prices
in effect last winter and spring are
reluctant to admit that prices are
down. The dealer, who said prices
were lower, perhaps has a smaller
stock Of the materials bought at the
old prices.
Dimension Lumber LOWER
The dealer who said his prices
were lower quoted dimension stuff at
$50, compared with $65 the price
asked a few weeks ago. An extra
grade of shingles was quoted at
$3.50 that had been selling. the deal
er said, for So per 1000. Pine and
fur 1ath, that were $40, this dealer
quoted at SIC.
This retailer was authority for the
statement that the reason fur lath
was down was because it was being
dumped on the market in hugo
quantities by northwestern states
mills. Shingles were lower. this
dealer said, because Of the wide use
Of patented shingles.
"All grades Of lumber are lower
compared with O few months ago."
this dealer said in summarizing the
situation.
No quotations were available from
this dealer on hard woods for in
terror finishes. It was said the COM
pany makes no quotations in adj
vance on this stock but submits
qualities and grades wanted to the
mills for prices and bases it's quota
tions and purchases on the mills
prices for each lot.
It was admitted that the mills and
wholesalers now were shipping lum-
Der Of a quality that they never
would have dared ship the trade be-
fore. A lot Of drop siding was
pointed out.
I'm that lot there are some short
lengths that no mill would have.
shipped prior to, few months ago.
But the retailer has to take short
lengths with the rest" said this
dealer.
Others Do Not Quote.
At another yard NO quotations
would be made for publication. and
at still! another, altho quotations
generally would not be made, it was
admitted that extra grade shingles
had dropped so cents to $3.50 IN.
three months and that lath was down
from sa4 to SIS to $40 a 1000.
At two yards it was said there was
not dealer in town who had any of
the lumber on which prices were
% per cent lower than a. few months
ago. One dealer described this
lumber as seconds" while another
SAID IL Was hrSt grace, put the
latter was one who declined to quote
prices.
One Of these dealers said, in effect,
that the retailer does not now know
where he is at.
zone day." said he, 1--WE get cir
culars and letters from mills and
wholesalers saying prices are going
down. The next day another batch
OF circulars comes saying prices are
going up, and there you are"