Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-30

Prospects of the Building Season.

Prospects of the Building Season.
The statement is made that there is less
work for the building trades in prospect at
this time than has been the case at cor
responding period of the year since 1894.
According to the experience of men who are
in a position to be familiar with the state
of the market there is absolutely no work
in sight. The only thing that affords any
CLEAN of hope for the coming year is that
possibly some of the enterprises that were
held up during the summer and fall of last
year will go ahead during the coming sea-
son. There is as yet no certainty of even
that
1t is, however recognized that since the
close of the building season last year quite
a change in conditions has taken place.
Money is easier, or, in other words, loans
can be obtained more readily. Then the
rate of interest is lower and in addition in
this city there is demand for more houses,
the present supply being practically taken
up. 1t is thought also that the attention of
investors is being turned toward real estate,
owing to unsatisfactory experiences in other
directions, so that taking everything into
account the indications seem favorable for
an active building season.
Some Labor Union Methods.
There is some uncertainty expressed in
regard to the labor situation as it is stated
the factional disagreements among the labor
organizations have not been settled, and it
is apprehended that there will be trouble
from this source as was the case last year.
Some of the builders who employ labor and
who are also believers in labor unions and
in the men endeavoring to preserve their
rights are of the opinion that a mistake is
being made in the method of managing the
affairs of the unions especially in the par
tcular that there seems to be but little en-
couragement for apprentices in the different
trades, with the natural result that the
number of mechanics seems to be growing
less. While all the men following the differ
ent trades are not members of a union It
is difficult for those who wish to employ
union men to find a sufficient number One
cause of this is believed to lie in the di-
mtnishing number of apprentices
1t is also thought to be an unwise policy
to bring all workmen on level, Or at least
attempt to do SO. by trying to fix the
amount of work to be done in one day and
to expect all men to conform to that BY
this arbitrary arrangement, 1t is stated,
the number of bricks that can now be laid
by bricklayers is about one-half of what
otherwise capable men were accustomed to
do as a days work. This rule limiting the
amount of days work, when first put
into operation, affected contractors who
were not aware that it was going to be
done. and SO made their estimates on the
usual basis. Now, however this additional
expense Is taken into account and the own
er pays the extra cost. From the stand
point of the contractor, however, the rule is
deprecated for the reason that 1t prevents
the development of rapid smart workers
and discourages individuals from putting
money into building enterprises on account
of the increased cost
Cheap Building Sites.
A tract of land in the eastern section of |
the District comprising several acres, with |
in three squares of the extension of the H
street car line. is to be thrown upon the /
market early in the coming summer at