Evening journal., 1914-08-15
APATHY HITS THE
REALTY BUSINESS
Dealers in Properties Feel
the Reflection of Business
Depression
NOT MUCH NEW WORK
FOR CONTRACTORS

Apathy in general business condi-
tions was reflected this week in the
realty market. Dullness among pro-
fessional traders and investors was
marked in certain quarters and it is
believed by many that the situation
will remain unchanged for several
weeks. Extreme closeness Of money
end increase of prices OF foodstuffs,
coupled with depressing influences in
industrial and commercial circles, has
caused a tendency toward saving on
the part Of investors. The large num-
Der of unemployed men of family
Who in prosperous times purchase
small parcels Of realty on the time
payment plan is constantly increasing
and this is not helping. The general
situation is not one which will inn
part optimism.
The situation in contracting cir
cles is little better and were it not
for several important pieces OF con-
struction work the outlook would be
, gloomy for contractors and mechan-
les. David Topkis stepped to the
fore this week and saved the situation
by commencing building operations
OF ten houses in Nineteenth street
The structures will cost $4,000 and
news that Mr.. Topkis was to begin
building at once was most 'encourag-
ing. He Is being generally congratu-
/ lated for his courage in undertaking
i operations of such magnitude in the
/ face of existing conditions.
The commission in charge of the
new county and city building helped
I during the week by awarding con-
/ tracts for concrete work Work on
I the foundations of this structure is
/ Progressing in a most satisfactory
manner.
A. S Reed. Of the A. S. Reed and
Bro. Co, reports that his company
has been called on TO do much repair
work but that no new contracts of
/ Importance have been received. Mr..
) Reed is working a large force at the
Girls Industrial School The roof
( has been placed on the "a" building
while the "B" structure will be rooted
this week. Mr.. Reed has the con-
tract for the Delaware Hospital and
is personally supervising the job ;
work on the foundations is being
hurried and II is believed they will
be completed i'm a short time. I'm
favorable weather conditions have
hindered this work.
Commenting on the general situ-
alton, Mr. Reed said Increase in
J food prfqau aUn,rfaffo or rrr1I
laying off men employed in shops and
factories is not helping contractors
There appears to be feeling OF un.
essiness on the part of investors whC
are holding on TO their money. W.
ought to be working at least $50 meT
at this time. Our present payroll
carries Sc aside from our Office force
Conditions are changing so rapidly
that l would not care to hazard 2
guess on whether they will get better
or worse"
Announcement was made by A. II
Jones, of w. II. Jones and Company
that sub-contractors have commenced
excavating for the foundations of the
new State armory at Newark. The
site was inspected last week by Mr.
Jones and digging began the first or
this week. MIR. Jones expects to hav,
the foundations in place within thre,
weeks. Wooden frames for concret,
viii be sent to Newark in a few
days.
At the Office Of Leon Wilde Craw
ford it was said that plans for tn,
$4,000 building TO be erected by tn,
Hanover Presbyterian Church ar,
rearing the finishing stage and tha
lids would be asked in a short time
Brown and Whiteside declare the,
have several projects in view bu
that details will be announced later
Wallace Eugene Hance left foi
Atlantic City yesterday He vii
spend the weekend there.