Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-30

them. Over $3.50. 100000 had been appro
priated for such work two months agI
and the movement still continues. Tn,
government is placing contracts for al
sorts Of work now and at almost a furious
rate. Congress was liberal in public build
ings and they are being 'ground-out" a
high speed. Something like $1e5. 900. 900 hai
just changed hands, been paid by the grear
interests" In dividends and regular IAN.
nuals'' on stocks. bonds. etc.-turned into
proper channels, circulated. Why, bless
you, it's only a question OF months II not
indeed but weeks. before building viii he
or its old booming basis,
There is still time. but none to spare,
for the wise business man. the readers OF
The Bookkeeper, to wake up and close
whatever deals they may have in mind in
the building line. Indeed It would be most
wise to make contracts for buildings that
are not needed Immediately. The per
centage Of savlng will far exceed the loss
Of possible unoccupancy
The peculiar thing about II is that build
ing materials themselves have not been
greatly reduced by the slump in general
business last October. nor have the unions
lowered the wage-rates. But workmen are
rot quite so independent, there is greater
selection exercised In making up the
smaller crews now required and the men,
knowing that they are not so much in
demand work with greater vim. More
by far is accomplished than used tn be
the order Of the day in top-notch times.
The principal cause OF low prices, how
ever. lies in the fact that contractors
are more anxious for work. to keep go
Ing, to turn their money over and con-
sequently figure upon a lower basis, and
smaller margin of profit than when every
thing is rushing. Let me cite you some
instances as examples Of the difference
between "tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum. -
1 have especial advantage IN being able
to keep In close touch with varying con
ditlons. In my consultation practice I
have the most intimate relations with
architects all over the countrys and
through them and through the building de-
partments Of all our Cities, have access
to the most intimate and complete data
upon that and related subjects and away
in advance 81 the newspapers or other
such agencies. so know whereof | speak.
True, contractors bids do pot always in
dictate the exact cost ~ A building, for
they will range 50 and 50 per cent differ
enee between the highest and the lowest,
but after all. II made by responsible con-
tractors. they create a basis or standard
Of cost, and certainly serve as our only
available authoritative basis Of comparison
OF cost.
Wen, here's a case OF a warehouse for
which plans were made Just a year ago.
Bids ran at that time from $4,000 down
TO $4,000 but the owners deemed even
the lowest too high. This was in the
middle west. In May this year the same
plans without change, were put out for
figures and the bids ran from $4,000 20
s1l4.SOo, and a contract was closed for a
little less than that last named sum after
making some slight change. Another
Instance: An office building In the east.
planned and figured last September. lowest
bid sl2S. 40, deemed too high. refigured on
same basis this last June and let for
$4,000. stli another. and indicating the
upward tendency again, the only case 1