The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-21

Richmond is now enjoying building
boom, and Judging from he present state
OF affairs, no let up seems In sight Con-
tractors are rushing work and are en-
deayoring in every way to finish the
contracts upon which work has been
started Fresh contracts are awaiting
them, but it is stated that in some IN
stances contractors are rather slow 70
undertake more. mork, owing to the facs
that the cost of material has advanced
SO greatly and, therefore. fear stu
further jump in the prices.
AS it is, thousands OF dollars are be-
ing paid out by various concerns for In
provement on and enlargement OF thetr
plants That increased facilities be at
once afforded is not q case of Choice out
of necessity. With the various nlanu1ac-.
turing plaHts it IS not the question OF
getting orders to fill that confronts them,
but the question of how to fill the or
ders already in hand. IS the one that
gives the trouble. There is not a de-
partment in the Industrial world to-day
that is not feeling the effects OF the I'M
proved condition in business ana OIL pros
perity in general.
Factories and mills that have sought
to double their capacities by runnl s
night and day find that even the work
ing of a double force and making or the
largely increased demands on the plants
does nos enable them to keep abreast with
the demand, and the only recourse open TO
them is an enlargement of the plant it
self In some istanceS these Auditors
are of proportions almost equal to those
of the original building
HURRY WORK.
Another matter of greatest Importance
in the erection of these additions IS THAT
the construction must necessarily begin
Immediately and he rushed to complet!cs'.
The. are matters that Will not Walt, a'd
present new facts for the consideration 0.
the contractor to whom the contract lot
their erection is awarded. THIS III turn
affects al of the various artisans whose
laborS are required
Another phace is also presented. ana
that is the scarcity of materials and In
many Instances the inability TO secure
their delivery at any stated time IRON
mills are so rushed that contracts nave
Teen refused in some instances. whiie 4
big margin Of time is always denanded
when the order is accepted.
The supply of marketable lumber IS aISo
reported as being nowhere near equal o
the demand, and that labor is most DIM
cult to obtain in order that the sa" mills
may be kept in operation The saw mills
in ,partfculsr IN I lumt traGs m gene'.sl.
was one of the first industries to teei tn1
effect OF hard times and the hands et'.-
nIoyed in these industries sought WORK
II, other places Many Of them, ateer al
enforced idIeEess, found empioynl1nt "nsu
fha boom tegan on the building OF rai,
roads, which IS now going on throushoal
the country. Tho meu. expetlehesu .,ti, .l!
hermen. very often now refuse to return
o,,d +;rnber * mn, a rapidly prepared 70.
the lumber market under ne" naHas %, y, :
decidedly small force in such cuanell'es
as 10 keep up with the demand
LABOR IN DEMAND.
The work on various industries IN .ni.
civ has also caused d decided scafel-s y. -
labor for the quarries, and stone ma'o.is
arr, com relied to take the prooaolhss OF
tretr beirg retarded to sreausI ol 80
decree in tire delve-y of the nlate..a. ,a' is
olired by them IN the part tt'.S .-,,
ahor Of all c,as=ea has been IN sssas ,
demand and the price is accordingly aa- a.
,.,,ced a vel kno-:n contractor III
neal-fne of this fact said: Last year s.,
cn,,,d e,et all the, men wanted for a. doiis.s5
l7,y This year I cannot coHe nesli is
fir11i-e the number OF men neeu o - -.
i,or-ar and a quarter. and even a. a nsulSs stIss
havond tfrat. I would, in some lnsta''eesf
he 5S filing TO pay most any price =
steady helpers. but they cana cana y !" -
cured. ,5so of .ns
.The average rerson has no loea ,;a .. ~. ,n
oroo1nf of money that is being PAID oue
Z, .J,is CITY. Work is booming eferS-
,srere Bus!dirss are going up IN every
zeect;en and all classes are ENJOY nS pros
nfritv sIf Won don't believe It. 1uss sHs
,o,,r ewes open take n walk throush ~ ". :.
various portions OF the city and ses
yourself. e