Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-01

tation Of the question of wages and fheIlss II
building material Of all Kinds Ii having tln
effect ofa birenk. VIZ do nut fiiink fhe building
this year win be up I'd last"
"Tou base yuur orininn, !" said the STAB mzn
"Yes," said M baldwin, Sbut principally OF
the tact TINT there arc SO nsly houses f0f Iel1
now. Then, being engaged in mill work, anf
dE1ng HrRr:h to G1aer for buiIfmE. we cm Juagf
pretty vel nom what they are ordering and
hv@ the manner they talk, that the outlook
lot 30 bright as 1t was"
What Is Jour firm doing ON its own ACCOUNT
asked the reporter.
''About the only work we are doing now,
answered Mr.. Baldwin, lis the residence OF Mr.
W. nj. Calf. on Vermont avenue, between L and
M streets, and we expect to finish it this sea-
son. This house will be finished with hard
woods and will cost about So, 900. We are
busily engaged, however, making estimates,
but the advanced prices frequently stand In the
way Of orders being given. In a few days now
cent. Hard woods. as also all the finer grades
Of lumber, have risen in price. We are, hove
ever, hoping that many who are now talking of
building will soon give their orders. If there
should be no further advance in wages and ma
terial the season may be at least fair one."
Mr.. ROBERT DOWNING.
"Mr. Downing" asked STAR reporter of Mr..
Robert Downing, Of Downing Bros, ''has the
work opened with you for the season."
"Oh, no; it is rather too early yet. We have
nothing on hand yet except figuring
''What are the prospects for building as COM
pared last season." was the next question.
bright as last year ct this time and fully as much
work will be done. The work will be of good
class-fne frst-class buildings"
The reporter inquired if the increase OF
prices-labOr and material-would affect the
amount of building here.
Mr.. Downing repled "Perhaps that will have
some effect, but do not anticipate that there
will be great falling of, or that the prices will
deter those contemplating building long. Lum-
Der was rather too low last season.
but it is up now probably twenty-five per cent,
and so is labor-carpentering and brick laying.
The price Of plastering is not settled yet and
hardware has not advanced much. / should say
that the cost Of an ordinary house will be not
over 20 per cent above the cost last season.
There are number Of people from other parts OF
the country investing here and some ladies to-
day are having estimates made. By the first of
June it Is likely that there will be plenty of
work doing. If the cost of building does not
exceed the present figures, those contemplating
building will not mind it much"
WHAT ANOTHER BUILDER SAYS.
'What is the prospect in your line this sea-
SOM" Q reporter asked Mr.. John Henderson,
builder
1.-THE outlook is very dull just at present"
'sWhat is the cause?"
'The advance in prices operates against build
Ing"
what prices do you refer to p
'The prices for material and labor. The brick
makers will give no satisfaction as to prices or
say what they will furnish brick for. The brick
layers also want an increase after the LIST of
APRIL. The hod-carriers demand an advance,
and 80 do the carpenters, but the latter are
rather more reasonable"
"Will this demand for increased wages be sus-
tained?"
81 think not, unless there is great rush of
work. A large number of heavy buildings are
not check the buildings already begun but will
delay the commencement of new buildings. The
building operations will probably not be as ex-
tensive as last year"
PROSPECT NOT so GOOD AS LAST YEAR
Holtzclaw Brothers. builders, in answer to
the question, "what is the prospect in the
building line for the coming season." said:
- The outlook at present is not good, owing to
he fact that the advance in all building mate
,ial and labor has had the effect of lettering
great many from building at present We
think, however that it will be better later in the
season."
SIS the outlook better or worse than last
YEAR,"
81 do not think the outlook is 80 good as
asst year, although there are fewer mechanics
die now than at the same time last season."
what are the character of the buildings
going up?"
The better class predominates most decidedly
both as to finish and size''
Is the demand for small or large houses?"
"There is no lack of demand for either small
Dr. large houses. Let the capitalist put up
house and finish it in good style and he will
have no difficulty in renting it. Although it
IS matter over which the master builders
have mo control, it strikes us that the
heavy advance in labor. &c, is unfortunate
md will react to the detriment of the working
classes. Its effect has already been noticed by
al observing people"
HOPES FOR PLENTY OF WORK.
Mr.. Charles Edmonston builder, is under the
opinion that the recent advance in labor and
material may deter building for a time at least,
but he hopes that it will not be long before there
will be plenty of work.
What the President OF the Builders,
Association Says.
AN ENCOURAGING REPORT.
In conversation with Mr.. w. H. Johnson, COT
the firm of Deering & Johnson, builders, presi-
dent Of the Builders Association, upon the SUBJ
ect of building, Mr.. johnson told STAR re-
porter that the Builders Association and the
JOurneymen Carpenters Association were get
ting along very harmonously, and their action
was entirely mutual. The journeymen had shown
good judgment and good sense throughout, and
had performed their obligations toward the
builders and themselves in an honorable man
ner in most cases, and the contractors were, to
q man. disposed to act in kind. The carpenters
had given the builders six months fair notice
that they would expect an advance of 20 per
cent upon the present wages after the first of
May, and the builders have assented to 1t, and
mean to live up to it. No one has been deceived
and they have all had fair notice, and in esti-
mating for work have added this to the cost.
Q. "Do you think this is too much advance?'
A. ''NO indeed; it is unreasonable to suppose
that mechanics. with families to support and
rent to pay-hardly ever less than SIS per
live at the old prices
Q. Then you approve of the advance in
wages?"
A. Certainly, do, so far as the carpenters
are concerned, and most of the other trades.
think they should be paid living wages?"
Q. 'HOw about the other trades?"
A. "There are some Of them. perhaps, that are
rather high. l think the bricklayers are q little
previous for their own good, and the plasterers
have been q little too close in making
their rules, hut l do not complain
as they have but few months in
the year in which to work. and most of them
are idle the rest of the year. All other trades