Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-03
BUILDING PROSPECTS FOR 1904.

has been made by Dun's Commercial
Agency, consisting of reports from
their branch agencies in various prin-
cipal cities. New York City reports
much uncompleted work, carried over
from last year. on account OF iaboi
troubles, amounting in the aggregate
10 s25,000000. Little new building Is
contemplated in the business portion
and such activity that is promised
ZONES from residential sections of the
city. Plans for twenty-five buildings
worth ss21.250 were filed last month
against fifty-two last year, with val
nation of s2.497,7Oo. Old st. Paul's
Cathedral, occupying half square
purchased by H. c. Frick about two
years ago. is being RACED. but informa-
ton is refused as to the kind of build
ing to be erected thereon. There will
probably be many dwellings erected
but transactions in real estate are
smaller than for months. Statistics
obtained regarding building operations
IN Pittsburg. are as follows: Permits
Issued for new buildings amounted to
e,071 for the year ending Dec. 81, 1903,
compared with 2,405 in 1902 decrease
Of 384 permits. Cost of new buildings
kor 1908 was s14.75S,2s2. compared
with $15.339,200 in 1902. The first nine
months OF 1908 was s2ss,5Ss over the
same period in 1902, but the last three
months amounted to only $1,6sS,644, as
against s2.53S250 for the last three
months of 1908. showing loss of $685.
e11.
The outlook for building in Boston
and vicinity for 1904 is not very bright.
NO new large building operations are
In! contemplation other than those en-
kered into in December. Building de-
partment permits do not show any
thing, OF any Importance except for
small buildings and houses. and the
amount OF work in view Is more than
20 per cent less than that contemplated
year ago. which was close on to
e3,500. 900 for the month of January,
ns03. Several large construction COM
panies, formerly with headquarters
here. have finished up their work. have
closed up business and gone to south
ern and northern Pacific coast cities.
Building construction has been handi-
eApped by the excessive cost OF labor
and materials
Philairlphia reports the outlook for
building in that city as not very en-
couraglng. Only 2ss permits, covering
4 Ro5 operations at an estimated cost Of
1754.200, have been issued by the
Building and Inspection Bureau. No
large Office buildings. hotels or factory
buildings are. as far as learned. TO be
built during the year. Building permits
ISSUED last month at Pittsburg are the
smallest for many years. Much I'M
/. eonpisted work remains to be done but
prospects are against new contracts.
AT Baltimore the prospects for
important building operations during
The present year is very unsettled. ow-
ang to the attitude of labor. The year
us03 was most disappointing, troubles
having arisen between the contractors
and mechanics early in the summer
The estimated operations for the
twelve months do not exceed $S,000.-
BOO as against $13.44o,o5o for the year
aso2.
Building in Minneapolis is on a very
healthy basis. A number OF good sized
commercial buildings were constructed
during the past year and several more
are now in contemplation. The past
twelve months have been entirely
without labor troubles in the building
krades. Wages and supply Of help have
been normal and general conditions are
regarded quite satisfactory. For the
year 1908 there were s.122 permits is
sued for new buildings. and repairs at
an estimated cost Of s7,732,799, against
1851 permits at cost of $7.0s7,055 for
the year 1902.
Leading st. Louis architects report
business as somewhat slack as regards
the drawing OF plans for Office build
angs, mammoth stores. large flats and
factories. The prospects do not APP
pear very hattering. Many of the
architects are figuring on plans of
some consequence, but which are not
fully matured. The sudden halt in the
construction OF large buildings for Of
ice. mercantile, residence and manu-
featuring purposes. IL attributed 10 the
high prices OF building material and
labor.
The Chicago report deals mostly
with the building operations of 1903.
However, 275 permits were issued dur
ing January. authorizing improvements
10 cost s1,S72.137. There is need for
additional dwellings,, but the business
men who require enlarged facilities
and the private investor are unlikely
b risk capital under conditions any
khing less promising than they are
now.
Taken by and large the concensus
Df the reports forecasts a decided con-