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Northrop, E. B.; Chittenden, H. A., Jr. (ed.) / The Wisconsin lumberman, devoted to the lumbering interests of the northwest
(July, 1874)
The lumber trade at the east, pp. 349-351
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Page 350
3Te Wisconsin Lumberman. complain that the Michigan standard of inspection is not high enough; be- lieving that first clear, of any width or length, should be absolutely free from imperfection. The different varieties-of hardwoods enter largely into the lumber traffic of the eastern cities, much of which consists of valuable foreign woods. Eastern dealers complain of general dullness in the tradealthoughwhenclosely ques- tioned they acknowledge fair average sales during the season thus far; also that the lumber business is as pros- perous as any other branch of trade. The gambling which was acute last fall has in fact become chronic, and will only be relieved by a full realiza- tion.that prices and business are as- suming La true commercial basis in place of the extravagancies of the past decade. Lumbermen forget, when they complain of low prices in their particular line, that the stock in trade of the grocer, the dry goods dealer and the iron man is also at the bottom price. Considering the pur- chasing power of money now, it must be acknowledged that present profits on every board sold by the re- tail dealers are fairly remunerative. Only the debtor class have a right to complain, and they are chiefly among the manufacturers. The eastern yards are fairly stocked with both northern and southern lumber and trade is really good at the retail yards. The carefulness and economy exhibi- ted in handling and selling lumber in custom yards, would be worth imita- ting by our western manufacturer and dealers, and would save many ol them hundreds of dollars annually. At the present time eastern dealern pay very little attention to western lumber or prices or condition of the maaket. They are governed by the southern pine districts and Canada. There will soon be a radical change in that respect, for even now there is an occassional reaching west- ward for the better grades. Michi- gan and Wisconsin clear stuff will soon find a better market in New York and Boston than it now does at the west and will be shipped east- ward to supply a demand which can- not much longer be filled from pres- ent sources. Neither New York nor Philadelphia can boast of a lumber exchange or association of any kind in their particular interest. The re- sult is pretty close competition, a " variety " of inspection rules and an unusually large number of "huck- sters," who " middle " between a builder and anyone from whom they may be able to secure a bill of lum- ber at the lowest price. We res- peetfully submit to New York and Philadelphia dealers that an associa- tion or exchange at their respective cities would greatly advance the in- terests of their business The Oshkosh Borth2euerst, in sum- mingup the work of the Fox and- Wisconsin Rivers Improvement Con- vention, says that one advance step- has been taken in the appointment of a committee to watch the progress of the work and appeal, when advis- able, directly to the war department. The question of success is now in the ihands of the President, who can se- tcure it by appointing business men, and men interested in navigation on Ethe executive committee, leaving tbe 350
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