Omaha daily bee., 1901-03-10
BRICK MAKERS ARE ACTIVE
Anticipating = Lively Season They Get
Ready for Work.
LARGE INCREASE OF OUTPUT EXPECTED
II Is Now Believed that Building De-
mand VIII Require an Increase
of mt Least Twenty-Five
Per Cent.

Many chunks of clay from the hills about
Omaha will be converted this summer into
shapely building blocks and enter service
in the life of this growing city. The brick
manufacturers are planning for an increase
OF about one quarter in their business this
season over the work of last year. II is
early for any definite calculations along
this line, but from the general prospects
and the inquiries that are received they
believe the business in their line is going
to be good
OF course the work OF the the bricknaker
Is an after thought in the building plans
when they are considered In advance. About
the first man to hear OF new buildings and
contemplated homes Is the architect; after
that the general contractor gets whack
at the business and the brick and lumber
men follow.
The first-named class have already told
OF many improvements to be made this
spring and there are others for which the
drawings are being made, Large business
blocks, Of course, mean more to the brick
maker and it is said that the season will
bring forth the usual supply OF these.
Preparing for an Increase.
One prominent brickmaker in discussing
the situation said: Il believe the factories
in this city will turn out one-quarter more
brick this year than they did last. At
least we are going ahead to prepare on that
basis. Everything points to good year
and believe we will have It. The condi-
tons are all OF the best We considered
1899 and 1900 good years Last year about
20, 900 900 brick were made in this city for
building purposes, but this year we Will
go far ah. ad Of that figure.
"At present everything looks favorable
/ anticipate no trouble with the men, al
though the wage scale has not been ad-
justed for this season. Last year the
brickmakers had conference and arranged
this matter tremendously. This has not
been done this year and / guess the others
are waiting for some one to take the In
itiative in calling the conference. While
there are some differences, l believe all
will be adjusted amicably In time for the
work to begin,
"The demand for brick locally is good
and at the same time calls are coming
from the outside. One firm had a call the
other day for brick for shipment to Wyo-
ming for use In coal mine. We will ship
large numbers OF brick all through Ne
braska this year
The relations of the men in the yards to
their employers do not appear at this time
to present any elements OF trouble The
new wage scale has been presented TO the
brlckmakers. but they have not acted upon
1t as yet. 1t calls for some things which
have not been favored by all of the en-
ployers, yet 1t is said by one in a position
to understand the situation that when the
time comes all will be Strengthened out 10
the satisfaction OF all parties.
Provides for More Pay.
The scale provides for increased pay for
three groups OF men, The head burners are
to be raised from 50 10 TO SO a day, the feed
ers from 81 So to 81 and the bank men from
sl,65 to 81 rs. All OF the others remain
the same as last year, These changes will