The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-29
In LABOR'S
...a....FEELD
Building Trades Revive.

Bradstreet's for May 20 presents a very
favorable OUTLOOK for carpenters and
woodworkers. Depression IN these trades
has been caused, of course, by recent de-
preSSions in real estate. From the time
the great panic OF 1898 struck the coun-
try until now, the steady slumping Of
real estate has created a corresponding
effect on carpenters, masons, plastererS,
fathers and painters. These are the trades
that have been most directly affected, al
though, of course, all business depression
in any line reacts on other lines. On this
subject the American Lumberman is
quoted as follows:
Building and real estate improvements
generally stopped short during 1898, prac-
t1cally all that was done being the COM
pletion Of improvements under way.
From that time on for years there was
very little encouragement to operators of
this class Particularly was this so with
the people of ordinary means and of the
working classes, who found their incomes
seriously diminished. AS it is these class
es that furnish the great bulk of the
building in which wood is the chief con-
stituent the change was felt seriously
by lumbermen Of the country. In 1894 and
succeeding years there was more or less
building of high class by capitalists, who
considered the times advantageous for
Improvement, on the theory that they
could build so much cheaper than under
ordinary conditions that they could afford
to let their property remain idle for some
time; but even this class of building fell
away after time as the business de-
preston was prolonged"
1t would seem now, however, that st.
Paul is on the eve of another building
boom Of magnificent proportions. Trade
conditions in St. Paul among carpenters,
masons, bricklayers and painters indicate
a.
dates back as far as 1897, although it is
true that improvement has been very
gradual indeed. Following the excellent
crops of that year farmers found 1t nee
essary to provide for housing their grain.
This was the first index of the revival.
In 1898 there was still greater improve
ment. Farmers began to build houses.
Cities and villages responded to the i'm
proved condition Of the farmers. Per-
haps it was not felt as readily in the
larger cities, but the same cannot be
said of the present. There is undoubtedly
a quickening of building in cities. Though
artisans of all classes found work last
year, it should be remembered that this
revival of their particular branch of in
dustry followed several years OF partial
1dleness From the effects of this bust
ness depression workingmen have not vet
fully recovered, but they are beginning
to. Be the genuine American a common
laborer or a millionaire, a home of his
own is his ambition, and with a continued
season of business prosperity there is no
reason why the artisan should not have
one as well as the rich man. Ii can be
truthfully said that in the towns and
cities of the country at large there is
greater activity in building circles than
has been known for years While this
means much larger consumption Of
lumber, 1t means more work for the prac-
teal house builder
To IndOrse Peterson.
The Electrical Workers Union No. %
will hold their regular weekly meeting