Arizona republican., 1908-11-29
LUMBER CHEAPER NOW
 THAN EVER BEFORE
PRESENT ACTIVITY IN HOUSE BUILDING LARGELY DUE
 TO LOW PRICES.
The Buckeye Lumber Company Has Aided in Keeping Prices Down.

There is no doubt that there are more buildings being erected in Phoe- nix and its suburbs today than at any period in its history. Especially is this true in the residential sec tions of the city. The records of the building inspector during the year show that more permits have been taken out than ever before. A walk or ride through almost any portion of the city will give some idea of the vast amount of building now in pro Eress. To a large extent the houses now in course of construction are of the bungalo type, though there are many of more pretentious> order. Pretty little frame. concrete or brick cottages in all stages of construc- tion are thiclly dotted in the better sections. while here and there yer itable mansion of colonial or modern architecture varies the monotOny of the bungalos.
 Two reasons may be assigned for the recent increase in building.
 The first is the gradual ameliora- ton of the strengthened financial con ditions that prevailed a year ago and the belief in the future development and importance of Phoenix. A sub stantial reduction in the price of building materials is the second. This article will deal with the latter phase of the subject.
 Of the materials which are used in the construction of houses bricks alone have increased in price. Six years ago bricks could be put in walls for s7 a thousand. They could be purchased for s7.50 a thousand. To- day the prices are $10 and $10.50. It does not cost any more today to make bricks than it did six years ago, and it is difficult at first glance to as sign a cause for the steady rise in this material. but the real reason will probably be found in a lack of com petition.
 While the prices of other building materials. such as plumbing, fixtures and concrete. have remained about the same. with little fluctuation, the price of lumber, which is always the largest item on the bill, has ma terially diminished.
 Twenty months ago the price of oregon pine in Phoenix was from $40 to $50 a thousand feet The highest price paid for lumber at that time was $52.50. These prices prevailed not alone in Arizona but all along the coast. As prices rose and fell in Los Angeles. they were reflected ] in Phoenix. Whether or not these high prices were the result of a com bination in restraint of trade by the coast dealers can not be stated, but the supply at that time must have been as great or greater than the present one. Yet today in Phoenix the same grades of lumber can be bought for from $27.5O to s35. No. l redwood shingles are today s3.9O as against the price of s6 two years ago. It is cheaper today than ever before and the reason for this will be given presently.
 During the era of high prices the building operations in Phoenix came to a standstiT. The price was pro hibitive. A little calculation with a pencil and a pad of paper showed that it was cheaper to pay rent than to build. At the prevailing rate the interest on the money required to erect a home, together with expenses for repairs, taxes, etc, was greater than the amount obtained from rent | al. Of course the tendency was to advance rents. but they could not be advanced sufficiently to make build ing profitable. The building of houses | for speculation or investment practi- | cally ceased when the profit was nearly eliminated by the narrow mar gin between the cost of materials and | the rental or sale price of the prop | erty when the building was com pleted.
 During the present year, nOtwith- standing the reflection in Phoenix of