Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-15
INCREASE IN
LAND SALES
IS MARKED
BIG DEALS IN CITY REALTY
ARE PENDING
CHEAP LUMBER INDUCES MANY
TO BUILD
Great Influx Causes Brisk Business
in Ranch Transactions TO
Establish Experimental
Farms

Transactions in every limo of real
estate were numerous the past week,
with especial activity being noted in
the sale of small homes and country
property. While there are number of
Lig deals pending in business property
close in, none of them were closed,
making it appear to some that in big
sales the week was one of inactivity.
Such, however, is far from being cor
rect. Real estate men are greatly en-
ccuraged over the prospects opening to
the view and give assurance of increas.
ing business from now on indefinitely.
Money Is easier now, and 1t is ex-
pected that time depositors in savings
banks, at the expiration of the six
months notice period will begin to in
vest their capital in real estate. The
first os these depositors will BE paid
curing the early days of April and the
number will gradually increase for
FIVE months. In answer to a recent call
Of the clearing house for outstanding
scrip only a small amount was re-
deemed, proving that full circulation
Cf coin and currency prevails.
Demand for Lumber
Lumber men report the market as
being in a healthy condition. The de-
laand for lumber for dwelling houses Is
Establishments report period of ac-
tivity. Architects give assurance of
good times. Their time is taken up i'll
designing and giving estimates on
houses the majority OF which to cost
from $1,000 to $4,000. With the increase
of building permits daily, the outlook
gives promise of a more active build
ing spring and summer than last year.
Lumber is cheaper than 1t was last
year, the price being cut almost in half.
This is proving an important factor in
building circles. Persons and compan-
les that had expected to build in the
future are taking advantage of the low
prices by closing contracts for imme-
diate erection. Last year the base
Price of lumber at San Pedro was $24
thousand, while this year it is s14.
Other building materials have expert
enced corresponding drop. Cement is
now selling at $3.50, whereas last year
it brought $3.25 barrel Plastering is
now 20 cents a square yard as against
IS cents last year. The price of brick
has fallen So in the past twelve months,
from 81 to $5 at the kiln. Taking all
conditions into consideration, house
can now be built for 80 per cent less
than last year Therefore there could
rot be more favorable time for build
ing than the present.
Lumber to Advance
But with the return of prosperity
prices will gradually return to their
old basis. Already lumber has COM
menced to advance. Reports from
northern mill mel who are the prin-
cipal shippers of lumber to this market
are that the increased cost of produc-
ton will have to be made up in an ad-
vance in prices. The supply of logs
has decreased steadily on account of
the shutdown of many of the logging
camps. and the RATS which were once
Plentiful in the CowlitZ and other
streams tributary to the lower Column
tia river are rapidly disappearing.
Activity is pronounced in the sale of
country property, due to the colonist
movement from the east This move
ment has just begun, and when 1t
reaches it's zenith transactions in ranch
lands will be unprecedented. The great
influx is expected during April, before
the termination of low rates made by
the railroads. Extra equipment has
been ordered and railroad officials re-
port that they are ready to rise to the
occasion.
Tourist Season Continues
The tourist season this year has ex-
tended beyond the usual date. In the
past it was brought to close on
March O. But this year there has been
~
son has emerged into the coionist sea-
son, although the railroads are making
q distinction in the two classes of
travel. Tourist rates and those given
&c the colonists are vastly different. A
p1 1ominent railroad official declared
that tourists woulC continue to arrive
for another month.
The colonists are settling rapidly over
all parts of Southern California, prin-
s,;v, llxy N In1nprf1l
remarkable region localities which were
almost without inhabitants a year ago
are now dotted with tents of settlers,
who will eventually erect suitable
dwellings and outhouses. 1t is impossi-
bile for them to get house room at pres
ent, so great is the demand upon the
builders 1t is estimated that the val
ley has been growing at the rate of
1000 persons every twelve days of the
present season.
One of the features of the week was
a movement on foot at Washington to
establish experimental farms in South
ern California. The return to nature
of persons from cities unskilled in the
labors Ct the farm has made a demand
for such Institutions. The California
Settlers association is the leading fac
tor in the new undertaking. 1t is said
that the Coachella valley will be the
place selected for the first little farm
colony. The work Is expected to begin
ir the near future
Unprecedented Sales
Predictions are that the time is fast
approaching when there will be a
period of investment in lands unprece-
dented in the history of the country.
Investments of this character will, it
Is said, render more stable not only the
financial but administrative conditions.
Recent heavy purchases OF eucalyp-
tus timber for use as railroad mate
rial throughout the country has start
ed a large industry along this line in
Southern California. In Orange and
San Diego counties vast tracts are
being set to young eucalyptus trees.
Reports from these sections are that
numerous individuals and several COM
oanies are preparing for the cultivation
n this zee as a distinct business At
SAN Diego there was organized last
week a company with capital of
!, .000. 900, of which $750,000 was paid in.
This company will invest in an inn
~ and T1lanff ~