The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1921-03-03
Lumber Gradually Improving

Lumber Gradually Improving
The lumber situation is gradually
clearing, every move marking an i'm
provement in the situation. New mills
are being added to the list of those in
operation nearly every day, and if the
freight rate is adjusted to permit an
invasion of the middle west, all Of the
mills will be running full time. The
district east of Chicago and north of
Ohio formerly took practically a third
of the cut Of the mills of this district,
and that territory is now being han
died by the southern pine mills.
With the opening of trade with the
east coast by way of the canal, it is
probable that at least part of the
lumber which formerly went to the
middle west can be sold proftably
along the Atlantic states, and orders
left by the lumbermen who recently
visited here from New York would
fseem to point that way. An order for
$4,000 feet of lumber for Japan was
booked last week by one importing
firm, and other inquiries for imme-
diate shipment are being made. The
Australasian market is still stocked
for 90 days, but inquiries are begin
ming to come in for futures. The same
is true of the South American market,
particularly that of Argentine.
Price Of Logs
Fir logs have not been selling to any
extent, as the mills still lhave the sup
ply that was in the water when they
closed down, but the going rate is
around SIS, $24, $32. 1t is not ex-
pected that logging will be generally
resumed until the snow is all out OF
the woods.
Sales at the mills on dimensions
have averaged $40 to $14.S0, which was
little low, but vertical grain flooring
has been strong at $40 and finished
lumber has moved steadily at $46-$4S.
The price of 1sx4 inch ceiling has been
$19-s23; drop siding, $20-$2S; boards
and shiplap, $11.50-$15.50; plank and
small timbers, $3.50, with bigger
sticks running up to $27.
No Price Cutting
Mill men realize they have to wait
for their market, and there is no effort
being made to get business on a price
! cutting basis. Eastern buyers nave
shown that they are ready to come on
the market. and would have done so
i already if the rate question had been
& Settled. At the first meeting OF the
chicago conference rates were low
BRED to some extent. but not enough
10 enable coast mills to compete in
the middle west.
RS The new rates will be: Sixty-six
md one-half cents 100 pounds to
Y Omaha and ST. Paul, whereas the lum-
bermen asked rate of 65k cents; 70
gents to Chicago, whereas the lumber
men asked 7O1a cent rate. Whether
these rates stand, of course, depends
upon the outcome of the l. c. c. hear.
ing. Spokane territory's differential
of 3 cents will be maintained under
the new rates and the differential OF
10 cents on cedar and shingles, exist
ing previous to August 26, 1920, also
will be maintained.
The reductions mean a saving OF
s1.75 a thousand at Chicago. but the
pine mills were already underselling
the coast mills there So thousand,
so the cut deos not help any. The
matter of rates will be taken up with
the interstate commerce commission
as originally planned if the Chicago
conference does not see fit to make
rate that will allow competition.
Shingles
Single mills are operating at ABOUT
40 per cent cut, with orders running
about 20 per cent. Extra Stars ~
in, are qutoed at $1.7O; extra stars