The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-04-02
great BOOM FOR
ELECTRIC TRADE
&c. Graham, Local Merchant,
Says Demand for Supplies
Shows Big Increase.
RETURNS FROM NEW YORK
Declares Country Is in Midst of Alb
normal Building Development.
Quotes Figures.

That there has been a large increase in
the demand for electrical supplies and
that the country Is in the midst of what
has been termed an abnormal building
development, is the opinion of L. {.
Graham, president of the National Elec-
trical Supply Co. who returned yester-
day from New York, where he partlci-
pated in a conference Of electrical SUP
ply jobbers OF the Atlantic Coast States.
The conference was for the purpose of
getting first hand information on the
business conditions prevailing in the sew
eral sections of the Atlantic Coast reach
| ing as far West as Buffalo and Pitts
burgh.
The conference demonstrated that job
bers have bought far above their normal
demand" said Mr.. Graham, participating
the prevailing high prices and looking TO
the increased demand of spring trade.
Behind in Orders.
! investigation shows. however. that
factories are behind in their orders and
their output is insufficient to meet cur
rent demands 1t is believed that any
surplus stocks in jobbers' hands are being
rapidly depleted and should the abnormal
conditions continue. the demand above
the capacity OF the factories will create
shortage of supplies within three or
four months time.
Authentic statistics were presented
showing that building operations under
way for the months OF December. 1915,
and January and February. 1876 as COM
pared with the same months one year ago,
total s1sI126,0)O. against sll5,N3,ooo. an
increase OF $72.OS3OOO. The lragest gain
that of residences, S3I, So, 900, or per cent,
There are under construction in ship
yards 237 merchant vessels and IS gov
erment vessels. the largest tonnage
ever under way.
Shortage of ars.
There we're 800, go idle cars March,
1915; there Is now a shortage of 20,55l,
a net difference OF 1884 cars.
There is an increase of 63s per cent
in the orders for cars, and an increase of
Sc per cent in orders for rails.
"The output of steel mills is sold up
to January /, 1917, and in some cases for
the first quarter OF 1917. Much work is
being delayed owing to the inability to
get certain iron and steel products. No
lower prices can be expected for many
months? the general opinion being that
there will be much higher prices during
this year. owing to pressing needs in the
industries.
THE production of crude copper. while
larger than ever before, has not reached
its possible maximum. However. before
copper can be used in the arts. 1t must
go through the refneries The refining
capacity OF the country is limited. All
are now working twenty-four hours
day. The great consumers have bought
for deliveries six months ahead.
Big Demand for Brass
at is in brass products that the most
difficulty is experienced in material.
Large quantities of brass are being used
in war munitions in factories within the
United States, and larger amounts are
being shipped abroad at higher prices
than prevail in this country. All brass
mills are running at full capacity. 1t
Is next to impossible to get anything like
prompt deliveries on standard shapes
and stock and no orders will be accepted
for special shapes.
Domestic consumers are held down In
their allotments from fhe mills to within
a reasonable increase on their former
regular purchases. usually within 20 per
cent. With a demand for finished prod
ucts requiring brass stock, ranging from
80 is per cent to 100 per cent above nor
NAL, and knowing the attitude OF the
brass mills in holding down allotments
to about normal, it can be appreciated
that goods requiring brass will be hard
to procure in the near future.
1.-The electrical industry. being so close
" allied to the general business activities
of the country the electrical tobbers,
manufacturers. and contractors antici-
pate a larger business for 1915 than the
Industry has ever known"