Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-23
Demand for Houses Regarded
\ as Certain Indication.
OUTLOOK VERY FAVORABLE
Condition of the Money Market Is
Drawback.
FEW BUILDING ENTERPRISES
Unless Funds May Be Had Coming
Season Not Likely to Be
Active.

The condition of the money market
practically dominates the entire business
| world so that there has been and SIM Is
but one point of view namely, the chances
of being able to finance any undertaklng'
| For this reason the discussion of the local
| labor situation orNthe price Of materials
when building enterprises are to be plan
ned is not of much consequence. and also.
| for this reason mainly, there Is not much
talk now going on about the outlook FOR
| building in this city during the coming
| season.
AS far as known but few preparations
are being made for beginning new work.
1t is stiIl early for plans of this sort, but
| still there Is no question that the Offices
of architects and also of builders would
| show at this time good many evidences
OF activity for the coming months If only
the assurances were more clear that there
would be no difficulty in getting the nee
essary money to carry them on.
Labor Question.
| In other words, as the financial situation
| clears up the prospect for the building
| trades in this city will improve. The
greater absorbs the less is the well-known
law which applies to many other things
than those which are physical. and 1t Is
only for that reason the struggle which is
| still in progress in the building trades in
this District over the question of the open
shop has taken a secondary place.
| The latter Is by no means local mat
ter. as the same conflict is going on in
other parts of the country. 1t Is expected
that at the labor congress which Is to be
held next year in this city the struggle
will be made national one. While the
attitude of those at the head Of the labor
interests is answering in adherence to
their opposition to the open shop. 1t may
also be said the employers are quite as
determined that they shall enjoy the
right to employ men whether they belong
to the union or not.
Cost Of Materials.
The other phase Of the building situation
in this city-the cost of building materi-
als-s one that is liable to change with
the market. and the only thing that can
be said at this time is, If the scale of
prices continues the same 1t will no doubt
very seriously influence the volume of
upon such undertakings when the margin
OF possible profit is reduced by the high
price of materials, to say nothing OF labor.
There Is notion that there is to be fall
in the price of building materials. and If
such Is the case one Of the obstacles in
| the way of rather free movement in this
| city will be removed
| Independent of the cost OF building, as
represented by the outlay for labor and of
building materials. being in a sense a
check upon the probable volume. there
seems to be no question in the minds of
| those who have given attention to the
| subject that the market here is favor
| able In other words. 1t appears to be
the belief there is need Of more buildings
| to supply the wants of growing popu-
| lation The adjective explains what
condition, in view of the great amount OF
building that has been going on for a
number of years past and the great ey-
tensions that have been made not only
to the area of the city, but to the line of
closely built up streets.
| Home Owning Increasing.
| 1t seems to any one who looks about
the city, and especially in the outlying
sections, and compares what he sees with
what he recalls of the appearance OF such
localities only a year two ago, or per-
haps less. that it cannot be possible there
| Is need of more dwellings. He would
| find, however, that all these buildings
| whether apartment houses or individual
dwellings, are fully occupied. and, fur
Their. that the proportion of rented houses
| to owned houses is smaller than, per-
| haps. ever before in the history Of til,
city. The home owners here are grow
| ing steadily in numbers, and such addi-
| tons to the population of any city ar
| recognized as of the most substantial and
| This home buying movement, which has
reached large proportions in comparative
| ly recent years. Is attributed by some to
| the influence the civil service law has
upon giving permanency to the govern
| ment service. Undoubtedly that measure
has encouraged the government employees
in owning rather than renting their homes.
Why People Come Here.
| At the same time. the important con
sideration ought not to be overlook
that this city is an attractive place OF
| residence. and that something is being
added each year to its attractiveness. 1t
| is the charm of the place that is drawing
the people in increasing numbers. They
also find they can live here amid pleas
| anter surroundings and enjoy more ad-
| vantages than in any other. city in the
country. This be said without stir
| ring the envy or disturbing the civic
pride of citizens elsewhere, for Washing
| ton is a national city, and all Americans
| take. pride in its b. auty.
This movement toward Washington has
| only begun, it may be said. and so it is
| a factor that ought to be considered when
building enterprises are proposed or the
outlook for the future is considered. 1t
| is an element in the market here which
is all-important for 1t throws flood OF
| light upon the important question as to
whether there is a need for more build ,
ings or a demand for more.
From this point of view 1t may be said
| that if the financial situation improves
sufficiently SO that business can go on
there will be but little hesitation in de-
termining to proceed with building enter
prises.