Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-11

DENCES NOW BEING ERECTED Or ABOUT TO BIZ
ERECTED.
"The season began very early this year" is the
remark which all builders and real estate men
make when speaking OF the improvement boom In
this city. In the ordinary meaning OF the term
this season has not been an early one yet the
Dackwardness OF nature in beginning her annual
list OF improvements has had no effect upon the
real estate market AS soon as mortar could be
laid the work of building began, and has been
going on steadily ever since. Ore prominent real
estate dealer told STAR reporter that since Feb
ruary ne had made sales valued at $175 OO0 and he
added: "Ths is the largest business ever did at
THIS time Of the year since have been dealing In
real estate In this CITY,"
There are, OF course, causes for this early
ana unprecedented rush, but after all has been
sad, the reason for this activity lies In the
is unquestioned, and further that capitalists ap-
precate the large returns for Investments in real
growing rapidly, and the present building opera
lions are the legitimate outcome Of this growth.
The Condition OF the Brick Market
The cost OF brick has naturally very import
ant bearing upon the amount OF building that is
done. An increase in the price has often the
effect OF checking building operations As stated
In The STAR some weeks ago the price OF bricks
VIII remain about the same last year. the present
slight advance continuing only during the early
part or the season. Nearly all the brick used
here Is manufactured In this vicinity, and In this
respect there has been quite change during the
pecially or the finer make, were purchased else
where. A reporter Of THE STAR asked a repre-
sentative OF one of the leading brick companies II
there was good demand for brick this season.
He replied: 1.-THE demand for brick this season is
very large. We have not only sold all the brick
we have on hand, but now have orders far ahead /"
"How does the demand compare with that Of
last Year," continued the reporter.
ut exceeds that of last year. cannot give the
show big difference IN favor OF the present sea-
son. The orders are for large and small amounts,
and vary from $4,000 to $4,000 These orders
not include those for government buildings
There IS another feature" he continued,
which think worthy Of notice, and that is the
market for fine brick is improving. Nowadays
nearly every one puts what we call hard brick
into their buildings There is not so great de-
mand for understandable BRICK"
"What do you, then, regard the prospect for the
seasOn?" inquired the reporter
1.-The prospect is good and the prices are fair"
and the brick man gathered up the reins and drove
of to the yard"
Views OF Master Builders.
Mr.. Johnson, of the firm OF Bearing & Johnson
who is president OF the Master Builders Associa-
ton, told STAR reporter that there were no differ
ences between the masters and journeymen, and
he saw no indications Of any trouble between them
Mr. bearing, his partner, observed that there
was apparently great amount OF work to be done
this season. He deprecated the publication of
"building bOonlsn by the newspapers. as IT. tended
10 create false Impressions among WOrkinQ-men
and stimulate them to make demands not always
warranted by the facts. Last season, Mr. bearing
Builders Association, kept their agreement with
the jOurneymen, but the 1ourneymen failed
In their part OF the agreement they afforded no
protection to the masters against EMPLOYERS who
cut wages down. His firm had lost Several good
contracts last season on account OF this agree
me NJ being underbid by employers who were not
did not however, amount to so much as the differ
ence In the wages would have been. a am in
Go1ia, SAID Mr. 81, Dearing "of giving them five
equal footing" Mr.. Deering said there was no
trouble at present between the employers and
employed, but the men were feverlsh The trouble
trades. W 0'--0-
Mr.. VIM. B. Holtzclaw stated that the Indications
are that this will be a big season. Prices would
range about as they did last year, but might be a
little higher on account OF the new plumbing reg
niatons which Increase the cost OF plumbing very
80 per cent A little more would
De asked for brick also 1t was almost imDOsstble
70 get handmade brick in the city at present.
Builders had been notified this week to estimate
handmade merchantable brick at $3.50. Brick
that could be laid on the wall two wears AGO for
So now cost $3.50 and $14
Mr.. Charles c. Martin, the wellkpown carpenter
ana builder thinks the building operations in this
city nave cut Just commenced, ana that there VIII
De succession OF fine dwellings follow in regular
order not only In the west end of this city, but all
the Way up Rock creek. He Is OF the opinion that
there Will be no great disagreement between the
employers and employees so as to retard the build
Ing operations. Some OF the materials used in
Quilting are Increasing in value in consequence of
tue unusual demand for it. Hard woods parlicu-
iafly are nigh, but he thinks the tendency is now
to use more painting and granting than last year.
Mr. Charles EdmOpstOn, one OF our Oldest build
err states that the outlook for building this sea-
son Is excellent
What the Workingmen Say.
STAR reporter, who canvassed the feeling
among the unions representing the building trades
last evening, found all well satisfied with the
present condition OF things, except the PAINTERS.
The painters notified the bosses few months ago
that they would demand s. day after April list.
and are low On a strike to enforce the demand.
and are hopeful OF success. One member of the
painters union told THE STAR reporter that OF $50
1ourneymen painters In the city but Is are at
work. ~
The carpenters say that they are satisfied, and
are getting the same as last years. a day. They
90 not expect to make any further demands
Trade Is particularly brisk with the bricklayers
Wno are IN active demand This is the case not
are reported where trade is dull, and those are
South Carolina and Rochester, n Y These re-
ports are made up from the condition of affairs
during the winter, and 1t Is probable that the
condition OF affairs has improved in these places
since then. The schedule price Is 81 a day, but
as IS so day. SO great is the demand that # IL
stated by members OF the craft that men are of
Iered advances OF Is and even 50 cents a day to
"A
here from Baltimore the other day loOkinV for
bricklayers and offered sl75 day, but it is I'M
derstoOd, did not succeed well. On the new Pen
sion building, where great many bricklayers arr.
employed, the wages are 81 day.
the Drickmakers are getting S225 day. They
made demand some time ago for an advance or
so cents and got Is cents day. There is at pres
emf no trouble among them Complaint was made
Dy some or the memberS OF the Federation OF
Lator last night that the boss brickmakers were
advancing the price or brick dispropOrrionately
on the plea that their men were DEMANDING hiTh
wages. eA
The members Of the Plumbers and Gasntters,
Union report that about all their men are at work
anu receiving the union price or s. 80 day The
WORK or the new season has not yet begun with
the plumbers, but Will be active next month A
great zeal or new work left over from last season
Is now giving employment to many men,
The timers report that work with them Is brisk
Iney VIII demand g a day the lst OF June and 80
lar as heard FROM all OF the bosses have agreed to
the terms 20 " '"
The plasterers state that there Is cOnsidera ble
WORK under way and not more than three or four
men unemployed. The plasterers are getting 81. 50
day-the rate that ruled last year-and they
nave notified the bosses that there win be no
change this year. Nv
All or the representatives OF the building trades
look Forward to busy season. One OF the prom
!nent men In the wOrkingman's organization said
iast night that the painters are bound to succeed
In their demands. The bosses could not get con-
petent men from other cities to fill their places as
the Knights OF Labor all over the country were
Dounu 10 second them In their effort