May 14, 188?





The  Record  and  Guide.





665





^1





lar. Demand fluctuates somewhat bufc not enough to
materially curtail the general volume of trade even
temporarily, and business as a whole is progressively
active. Walnut sells well, especially such stock as
can be picked out for tbe export trade, though there
seems to be an outlet for all dry culls, etc., and at
times it looks as fchough a larger quantity could be
placed. Ash retains tbe favorite position to which we
have before called attention, and anything nofc inferior
in quality is pretty sure to find an early, prompt
place upon the market. Oak is coming more into
favor, and seems to be a little scarce. Cherry sells
well, and seems to be more generally selected for
trim. Poplar holds its own at a full valuation. Cypress
grows in favor in response to tbe more determined
effort to place it upon the market. Dea,lers in ma¬
hogany are getting an excellent share of the trade,
and feel well satisfied with matters. Interior demand
has revived to a considerable extent within a few
weeks, aud it is expected that shipments will be large
this season. We quote at wholesale', rates by car load
as follows;: Walnut, $60@110 per M ; white ash, $30
@41do.; oak, $320^40 do.; quarter sawed clear, $51
©55 do.; maple, $25@32 do.; chestnut, $3('@,35 do.;
ctierrv, $67@90do.; white wood, $23@33 do.; elm,
$20@23 do.; hickory, $38®52 do.





GENERAL LUMBER NOTES.





THE WEST.
Saginaw Valley.





Lumberman's Gazettr:, )
Bay City, Mich. (

The lumber business at this point has afc last as¬
sumed such a characteristic as to warrant the asser¬
tion that it bas flnally come to stay for the remainder
oC the seeson. Although there is no particular boom;
yet sales are steady, and buyers are showing up quite
plentifully. The market is characterized by firmness,
and although reports of slight shadings on the asking
prices occasionally crop out, yet there is nothing
which indicates a break, or any material reduction.
The large proportion of the sales are made on last
fall's prices, and straight measure or inbpection seems
to be no particular bar to business, all the resolutions
which have been passed evidently going for naught.

Owing to the fact that the low stage of water in the
streams will probably hang up from 75,000,000 to 100,-
0jO,000 feet of logs, the holders of lumber are extremely
confident of the maintenance of price*. Nearly every
mill on the river is now at work, and shipments sre
active.

A local firm last week sold to Buffalo parties 565,000
fsot of lumber as follows: 150,000 1x8, 225,GO0 S-4 Nor¬
way; 90,000 6-4 extra and IOO.OCO 5-4 extra. The firm
also sold 1,863,000 feet to Eastern parties. Lumber
sales: 6C0 M coarse box to cut at $1U; 700 M Norway
on« inch and one-and-a-quarter to cut at $11. Aaother
firm sold 850,000 feet of box lumber at $10. Tho sale
is reported of 300,000 shingles to Cleveland parties at
$2.25, $3.25. The sale is noted of 1,000,000 feet at
$14 50 straight. Sibley & Bearinger sold 5GO,000 f set
of East Tawas stock, Norway, at $10. Tho sale is
noticed of aSO.OOO feet of box lumber at $16. The sale
is noted of 700,000 feet of Bay City stock at $9.50, $19
and $88. Also oOO.COU feet of selected boards on pri¬
vate terms at straight measure.

The Timberman as follows:

The tone of the general distributing market for
pine, if not its actual condition, appears this week to
be a trifle better than it lately has been. The change
may be more in the feeling among sellers than in the
business doing, but it is definite enongh and sufiac-
iently positive to warrant the hope that the reaction
which followed the unusual activity of the early weeks
of the spring season has about spent itself, and that
the movement of lumber from wholesale to retail
yards will again take on its customary aspect of ac¬
tivity. A moderate good trade is about the best that
can be expected during the next ninety days, which
covers the quiet season when country users of lumber
are busy with work in whieh this important staple is
not required.

The fact that there is an evident tendency afc dis¬
tributing points toward a slightly higher range of
selling values is significant ot a growing conviction
that lumber is on the upward ratner than the down¬
ward turn. At Chicago there is no disposition appa¬
rent to put lumber up, but at other and in some cases
competing markets mention is beginning to be fre¬
quently beard of the possibility of sueh a change in
the lists.? -.The course of the market in this respect is
likely to depend altogether upon the prices of lumber
at the mills.

Chicago.
Thk Cargo Market.—Lumber has been arriving
rather freeiy for a day or two, and there is on hand
a number of piece stuff cargoes still unsold. As a
matter of fact, buyers and sellers are apart in their
views of prices, in spite of the weakening of the mar¬
ket fully twenty-flve cents since Monday. For
average lots of short green dimension the commission
men are holding for $10, with most buyers unwilling
to take hold at that figure. It cannot be called firm at
that, though it is claimed that a lower price has not
been actually made. Buyers want the stuff at from
$9.50 to $9.75, whicb tbey claim to be offering. Dry
piece stuff sells' rather better than green, but is still
slower than sellers like to see it. From $10.50 to
$11.50 covers tbe range of value.

Inch lumber is in lighter supply and better demand,
and is firmer. No. 2 dry boards and strips are held at
$13 to $14 ror average lots, vnth medium i-Anging from
$15to$17, andNo. lfrom$17up. So much depends
upon the quality of such offerings tbat precise quota¬
tions cannot be given. One lot of mill run which ran
about 22 per cent, to C and better brought $14.50.
The value of inch lumber averages much better as
compared with last year than dimension stock. The
difference has been about $1 on most sales.

The Northwestern Lumberman of Chicago as
follows:

In this city the dealers are nursing the opinion that
green lumber, when the mills get to running full time,
will take a tumble in price. They base all their hopes
for the season on this. Earlier they seemed to figure
on a higher range of values ail around, in the yards
as well as at the mills; but since they cannot see how
margins are to be widened as long as the manufac¬
turers rise a dollar when the yards rise a half they
have settled to tbe conclusion that they would like to
see the market go to pieces.

It is noticeable tbat tbe noise about the Interstate
Commerce law as affecting freight rates is subsiding.
In the Saginaw valley, where tbe dissatisfaction was
and is still very pronounced, dealers are finding tbat
where the law has caused them loss in certain locali-
■ ties it las givem theni advantage in others. For this
reason they are looking more cheerf idly at tbe situa¬





tion than when the law flrsfc went Into force. In this
city there has been very little complaint, and most of
that was about not being able to procure schedules at
all on some lines. That has almost entirely ceased
since tariffs have been fixed on the majority of roads.
In the lake markets and along the Mississippi River
stocks are so low that '.dealers are not urging trade,
competition is light, and thus freight rates are not as
important a factor as when opposite conditions prevail.
It is gratifying to say that the outward movement
of hardwood lumber from this market is increasing in
volume, and that sales both for local and shipping
accounfc are on the increase. In spite of the unfavor¬
able railway conditions under which April opened,
the month is reported by most of the dealers to have
been a good one, better, at any rate, than April, 1886.
Receipts of hardwood during April were somewhat
limited in amount, but as the freight rate tangle gon
straightened out somewhat, matters improved until
there is now a fair amount of lumber coming in. Re¬
ceipts cannot be cut oft' entirely, for the simple rea¬
son that so many of the local dealers keep stock for
their car load trade at the mills and order out as
wanted. This stuff has to be moved when sold, be
rates favorable or unfavorable. Another custom ot
some of the dealers, tending in the same direction, is
to order certain lines from the mills as wanted. The
dealer will, for instance, contract the poplar, oak, or
gum of a certain mill with the understanding that it
is to be put on sticks at the mill and shipped as
wanted. This method saves shipping green stock,
aud also saves storage roam and taxes here.

Lumberman anb Manufacturkb, I
Minneapolis, Minn, f
There are so few new features in the lumber bus¬
iness of the West that it is hard to make a point in a
revie%v of the week's trade. Old stocks of lumber
are reduced to a minimum and no one cares to bunt
a customer to close out the remnants. A few who
have a fair assortment leffc are accepting orders for
such as they have, but trading ia stocks bas about
ceased. Prices are firm and many of the mill men
are asking an advance on present list on long or large
sized special bills, and we anticipate a still further
advance in this line of lumber. The extraordinary
amouut of railroad building is having its effect on
the market, and nearly all the mills that havo spe¬
cial ^facilities for making and shipping this stuff
have already taken in all the orders they can handle
this season. A few flrms tell us that they refuse the«e
gpeciftl bills because it leaves them with a poor as¬
sortment at the end of the season, as they get only
the side boards.

The shingle trade is especially active and prices
firm. The stock i;-> about exhausted and builders are
much averse to using green shingles, which they will
have to do wifnin a month.

There is very little grumbling about railway tariffs
in Minneapolis and bt. Paul, but several correspon¬
dents from Wisconsin have written in a strain that in¬
dicates an early appeal to the Interstate Commerce
Commiasion on thair part. They are getting the
cracker end of the whip on th© long and short haul
clause. The log market is fairly active and pricea
ruling flrm at $1 advance ©n last year's flgures, with
no surplus in sight anywhere. Driving is progressing
very favorably, except on the Red River waters and
the Upper Mississippi, where all streams are very low.
The United States Reservoir dams are discharging





only the ordinary flow whicb is not sulflcient for driv
ing purposes.

SOUTH AMERICA.

This week's mail from Rio Janeiro reports:

Pitch Pine—Receipts have been 354,919 feet per
Nor from PensacoU, which are reported told at
S7$000 per doz. At this price brokers report the mar¬
ket firm, and 410,795 feet per Heros from Bruns¬
wick arrived yesterday. The large cargo of Oregon
pei\CarrIe Delap, referred to in our last, was retailed
at ,30$000per doz., the consignees preferring to dia-
fcributa ifc rather tlian sell toons purchaser. Receipts
in March were 2,178,600 feet, against l,i61,678 feet in
the same month last year.

White Pine—The L. M. Smith brought about 11,000
feet, part cargo of Signal from New York, which
have been sold within quotations. Brokers report
the market steady afc 115©1'20 rs. per foot. Receipts
last month were about 20,0t0 feet, against 413,725 feet
for March, 1886.

Swedish Pine—Nothing whatever to reporfc. No
receipts last month, against 1,265 doz. in March last
year.

Spruce Pine—No receipts. The cargo ex St. Jobn,
referred to in our last, will be stored. A part of this
cargo, estimated at some 80,000 feet, was jettisoned.
Deducting this, receipts last month were 250,000 feet,
against nil in the same month 1886.





METALS.—CoppBR—Ingot has relapsed into a quiet
condition again since the placing of the pool contracts
as noted In our last report. The Record was one of
the very few journals giving the correct estimate of
the amount then taken (about 28,000,000 lbs. as a mat¬
ter of fact), and this supply bas so well met tbe wants
of tbe large consumers that beyond here and there an
odd invoice now and then the chances for further
immediate demand are slim. Lake may be quoted at
about 10c., and from thence tbe price ranges down to
9c. for other brands. Manufactured Copper flnds
good average demand and the market retains a
generally steady tone for leading descriptions.
Manufactured Copper has been a little
slow of sale at times lately, but on the regular
line of values former flgures were very well
sustained. We quote as follows: Sheets, not
above 30x72 in., 16 oz and over, 18©—; do, 14 to 16 oz,
19®—; do, 12 to 14 oz, 20©-; do, lo to 12 oz,
20@21; do, 8;to 10 oz, 24@—; do, under 8 oz, 26©—.
Sheets longer than 72 inches add Ic. for 12©14
oz, 2c. for 10@13 oz, and 3e. for 8@10 oz. Sheets,
not above 36x96 in., 16 oz and over, IS©—; do,
16 to 31 oz, 18©19; do, 14 to 16 oz, 20@21; do,
12 to 14 oz, 22©23; do, 10 to 12 oz,26©27; do, 8 to
10 oz, 29@31. Sheets longer than 96 inches add Ic. for
under 16 oz. Sheets, not above 48x60, 33 to 64 or
18®19; do, 16 to 31 oz,23©24; do, 14 to 16 oz, 25©—;
do, 12 to 14 oz, S0@—; do, 10 to 12 oz, —©—; do, 8 to
10 oz, —©—. Sheets longer than 73 inches add Ic. for
16 oz and under. All bath tub sheets, per lb., 16 oz,
21c.; 14 oz, 23c.; and 10 oz, S8c. Bolt copper, % inch
diameter and over, 18c. Circles, 60 diameter and less,
3c. above price of sheets of same thickness; circles,
60 to 84 do do, 4c. do; circles, 84 do and over, 5c. do.
Segment and pattern sheets, 3c. above price of
sheets required to cut them from. Cold or hard
rolled copper Ic. per lb. above the foregoing prices.
Copper bottom, 20@31c. per lb. Iron—Scotch Pig has
not changed much on the general lun of cost, but
evidences of a steadier tone developed and somewhat
better demand came out for small lots.  We quote at





$'Oi).00@2a.CO per ton,  according to brand,  size of
invoice, etc.   American Pig has also received rather
more attention from buyers of small invoices to be
delivered this  month and next and  the  effect lis
beneficial in bringing prices to a steadier position,
but buyers resist all attempts to induce them to pay
an   advance  and   are  ver.v   indifferently   inclined
toward inferior brands.    We quote at $21.003531.35
per ton for No. 1 X foundry; $19.50@2O.0O for No. 2 S
do, do.; and $18@19 for Gray Forge.   Old material
meets with a somewhat spasmodic demand, but on
the whole is finding a rather larger movement in the
aggregate and the influence upon values is beneficial,
though not as yet leading to any decided advance.
We quote at $2^@23 for old rails; $2i@23 for No. 1
wrought scrap; ^■■iS.00@23.5O for crop ends, and $19.50
©20.00 for car wheels.    Steel rails meet with occa¬
sional attention aud some sales result, but the move
ment is not free or general aud buyers iu many cases
appear ralherincliued to hold off as though expect¬
ing to gain something in the matier of eost.    We
quote at about $3S®3y per ton for standard sections,
according to location of mill.    Manufactured Iron
without  any   very new features  except   that the
movement   is   probably   somewhat   disappointing
in volume to  a portion of the  trade.    Cost varies
but  little  on  the general   range.     We   quote   as
follows:    Common Merchant   Bar,  ordinary sizes,
at 2.00©2.10c. from store, and refined at 2,20@2.60c.;
Rods, round and square, 2.30@2.50c.; Bands, 2.5C@
2.60c.;  Norway Nail Rods, 5@6c., and domestic sheet
on the basis of 2 60@2.70c. for common Nos.   10@16.
Other descriptions  at   corresponding prices,    with
1-lOc. less on large lots from cars.   Lead—Domestic
Pig after quite a period of neglect appears to be find¬
ing a better general demand.   So far as indicated tbere
is iittle  or nothing  speculative in the movement,
but  the  trade  evidently  want stock, and as they
come upon the market to invest flnd that holders are
awake to the situation and looking for a fuller line of
prices throughout. Wt quote $4 40©4.50 as to quantity.
The manuf actures of lead are steady and quoted: Bar,
5^@i;c.; pipe, 7c.; sheet. TMc less tbe usrjal discount
totbetraae; and tin-lined pipe, 15c.;  block tin pipe,
40c., OD same terms.   Tin—Pig bas no more than tise
ordinary trade demand so far as actual consumption
is concerned, and the majority of  buyers restrict
themselves closely to wanes of the moment.   There
has been, however, a so.Tnewhat " bullish" sentiment
in the speculative line, with the natural effect on val¬
ues.    We quote Straits 22%@23i^c.; English L and
F at 23)4©-^3%c.;  Banca, 2d}^@23%c. on   the spot.
Tin plates are not much wanted tor future delivery,
but spot  lots sell fairly,  and with  the desirable
supply well in baud prices are generally well main¬
tained on most sizes.   We quote prices as follows:
I.   C.  Charcoal,  }^ cross assortment, Melyn grade,
$5.15@5.20, eacb additional X add $1.50; 1. C. Char¬
coal, 14  cross assortment,   Allaway grade,   $4.65©
4.70, each additional X add $1; Charcoal terne—M. F.
grade,    14x20,   $6.82i^®6.35;    M.   F.   grade,   30x28,
$12.65@13.70; Worcester, 14x20, $4.50©4.52J^; Worces¬
ter, 2Cx«8, $9.00@9.05; Deangraae, 14x20, $4.22ir^©4.25;
Dean grade, 80x28, $8.45©8.50; Allaway grade, 14x
20, $4.15©4.20; AUaway grade, 20x28, g8.30©8.35; I.
C. Coke—B. V. grade, $4.373^©4.30; J.B. grade, 14x20,
$4.85©4.37J^, I. 0. Bessemer  steel, squares, $4.55©
4.67}4;   I. C. Siemens steel,  squares,   $4.62i^©4.65.
Spelter, without showing any great animation, haa
sold fairly, and the market retained a general flrm
tone throughout, with offerings careful.   We quote at
$4.50®4.75 for Western, according to brand.   Sheet
Zinc meets with fuller sale on regular outlets and
shows steady prices at 6®7c,, according to brand,
size of invoice, etc.

NAILS.—Reports indicate a great deal of dissatis¬
faction still prevaUing on the market, and operations
conducted under more or less feelin.^ of perplexity.
Some manufacturers advocate a general and deter¬
mined resistance to the ruling line of bids, others hes¬
itate and still others appear inclined to accept, so that
actual trading runs over an uneven scale and valua¬
tions are wide. There seems to be an idea entertained
in some quarters, however, that cost bas worked down
pretty well to hard pan, and that as soon as a few
remaining stocks have been worked off a steadier
position can be obtained. We quote at $2.15©2.25 per
keg, aceording to size of invoice.

PAINTS, OILS, ETC.—About former claims are
made regarding the general condition of the market,
and on the whole the situation may be] caUed satis¬
factory. On flrst-band goods some fluctuations in
value has at times shown itself, but nothing to weaken
the position of jobbers, and on all really standard de¬
scriptions full former valuations are sustained with
comparative ease. The general accumulations iu
hand are ample but well controlled. Linseed Oil has
a very good market and rules steady in price at 40©
41c. for Western, and 42@43c. for City. Spirits Turpen¬
tine has made a further considerable decline, at which
business was for a time free, but the market closed
quietly. Quoted 34@35c., according to quantity, de¬
livery, etc.

TAR AND PITCH.—The movemenfc is fair in mosfc
cases and buyers pay former rates, so far as natural
wants are concerned, but no evidence of increasing
demand. We quote Pitch at $1.50@1.75 per bbl.; Tar
at $3.00@2.25, according to quantity, quality and
delivery.





For Tables of Building Material prices see pages
X., XI. and xii.





SALES OF THE WEEK.

The following are the sales at the Real Estate Ex-
shange and Auction Boom for the week ending
May 13:

♦ Indicates thut the property described has been Md
in for plaintiff's account:

EICHARD V. HARNETT   &  CO.

King sfc, Nos. 39 and 37, n s, 348.7 e Varick st,
51.9xl0<?, two three-story brick and frame
buildings with two three-story brick build¬
ings on rear.   John Hays................$32,100

23d st, Nos. 401-405, n w cor 9th av, 49.11x98.9,
three four-story brown stone flats. G. P.
Barrett....................................    73,000

38th st. No. 8, s s, 175 w 5th av, 25x98.9, flve-
story brown stone dweU'g. James D.
Ray........................................   57,000

47th st. No. 449, n s, 362.6 e 10th av, 18.9x100.5,
four-story stone front dweU'g. Sabina E.
Husted. (2d mort.; amt.due $3,070; prior
mort. $10,800) ^.^-,....~.......................   15,849