Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-09
LOCAL NEWS.
The Labor Market.

THK EXPECTED BUILDING BooA-RIsE IN WAGES
AND HATESIAL-THB MOVEMENTS OF rHE
TRADEs-PRICES Now PAID.
The prospect that there will be considerable
building going on this season has not only had
the effect Of advancing the price OF all kinds of
building material, but of labor also. The gene.
raj business depression the past few years has
aen any anorers our OF this city into the
have been benefited thereby. The same NAV
be said OF the mechanical branches. Those BEST
lot half as many bricklayers and carpenters 10
this CITY now as were here this time one year
ago. The advance In the price of skilled labor
IN the western cities especially Chicago and
ST Louis. has had the effect Of an exodus In
that direction, and the average rise In prices
here is about ten per cent, In all branches over
last year, except for common labor, In some
branches the advance Is more. Every article
entering into the different manufacturing in
terests. especially In house building, has ad-
vanced In the same ratio This is caused by
the unusual demand, and the prospect for
Continued increase in building generally all
over the country.
SCARCITY OF TEAMS.
The scarcity OF teams is also a notable fact
1t Is said there are not half teams enough in
the District to supply the demand which will
prevail as the season advances. One man en-.
gagged In the sand business, IN fur nishing con
tractors with this necessary article states
that 1t Is impossible 10 Ill his orders for want
OF carts md horses. He states that he rode ali
OF one day In Virginia IN search of teams. and
took the circuit from Langley to nelr Alegan-
difa, and could find but one two horse team
Which he could hire at any price.
SAND ADVANCED.
Even the price of sand has advanced. Seventy
cents per cubic yard is the price now paid for
sharp sand, but 1t is proba BILE that one dollar
VIII be nearer theostandard price during the
coming season, Not much bank sand is used
elther IN public or private work. The best
branches 1iSnharptny int ha Dat
mac. Much is brought from the Eastern
branch and from Rock creek.
BUILDING STONE
brought here from District quarries, has taken
start in prices, and even the rough blue stone
from the Potomac qnarries, used principally
for foundations, has advanced This is attr,alI
TED 10 the scarcity OF teams for hauling
THE LUMBER DEALERS
say they have given unusually large orders,
out are afraid they will have to increase them
on account OF the constant drain upon them.
Many OF the firm woods are In great demand
On account OF the fashion for inside finish to
frst-class houses, being in the native woods OF
dlHerent Kinds. Mante!S are now being con-
STucted almost entirely OF wood, and more
Wa1nsc0t1ng and castings are used than former.
ly- Inc diSorganZauon OF most OF the trades
unions In the District is ut present greatly to
the advantage Of the building boom and the
encouragement OF those who desire to erect
Will continue remains to be seen.
CARPENTERS WAGES.
The great amount OF machine work used In
the carpenters business has had considerable
effect In keeping down wages In the past, but
just now handwork OF hard wood Is In demand.
and nearly all first class hands lind no difficulty
10 obtaining employ ment at good wages. There
are many ordinary workrhen, however, whose
sc. vices can be had as low as $l.5O per day
Efforts are being made to secure an advance to
81 per day.
THE BRICKLAYERs,
with whose work the weather seriously inter-
feres, find no difficulty In obtaining work at
SO per day.
Most Of
THE PLAsTERERs
are making from 81. SO to So per day, but they
are preparing for meeting with q view OF dis.
cussing the question OF wages.
THE PLUMBERS
have no regular price for days work, but the
average is from 50. to s. per day.
THE PAINTERS
receive from $3.50 to 81 per day, and are con-
templating move for an advance.
MACHINIsTs
In outside shops are making from ST. so to s.,
but there are only few in private shops re.
celV1rg the latter sum-
STONE CUTTERS
are receiving from 81 80 to s. per day.
THE TAILORING BUSINESS
as far as regards Journeymen, Is not very brisk
as compared with former years, much of the
Work-the larger portion, it is said by some
going out OF the city and the ready-made trade
Is diSplactng the custom trade to a great
extent. This takes away money from the CITY.
for the ready made goods are manufactured
out OF the city almost entirely. Very many
Journeymen here are idle, and when at work
DO not obtain the prices paid heretofore The
scale adopted few years since was based on
the supposit1on that good workman could. In
60 hours per week, make $40 or upwards. out
LOW they are forced TO a reduction OF 20 to 80
per cent. When working by the week SIS is
about all they can obtain, and at this time
there are but few obtaining that sum.