New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-28
By ARTHUR T. NICHOLSON

and at the beginning of 1916 the coun-
try was considerably under-buit," says
tho +. w. Dodge Company. IL adds;
IAN analysis of accumulated data
indicates that the aggregate amount OF
construction last year, estimated IN
actual cubic feet or in square feet Oh
floor space, has not been exceptional,
despite the abnormally large amount OF
money invested in new building and
engineering operations. The new con-
struction Of the year 1916 has not sup
piled the demand. and high prices will
probably continue to hold the supply
Of buildings below the demand FOR sew
eral years to come.
MANY large plants have been erected
at a speed not before known in the con-
struction field and money has been ex-
pended freely in overcoming obstacles
to their timely completion. This has
contributed TO the high cost figures OF
l916-'time has been part of the prlce.
Another and far more important
factor in the abnorsml monetary build
ing figures for the year. which are
without precedent, is increased cost OF
labor and materials due directly and
indirectly to the European war. lmmi-
grafton has been checked by the war;
rcservists from our laboring classes
have been called back home to the bel
ligerent countries; skilled and unskilled
labor has been called from building
enterprises by the unusual inducements
offered By munition plants and otner
industries rushed with war orders. inns
shortage of labor has increased both
the cost of construction of buildings
and the cost of production OF building
materials. At the same time. the IN
creased demand for materials ordi.
narily used in domestic building, but
recently used for munitions and for eX
mort. has further increased the price OF
these materials.
"Finally, the failure of the transpor-
tstion system TO keep pace WITH the
Industrial development OF the United
States is a vital factor in the augment.
cd building cost Indeed, shortage OF
cars has perhaps been az instrumental
In increasing the cost of building as
any one factor
l. Clarence Davies recently became
the owner of the plot of ten lots at
the southeast corner of Jerome and
burnside avenues. Three years ago
said this was ono of the best specula-
tive sites along the Jerome Avenue sub
way. The property was owned Tor
wears by kountZe Brothers. ms Is
what an expert says about the district:
This is directly in the section III
which q large amount OF the improve
ments are now being made. Builders
have been very active between burn
aide Avenue and Fordham Road, the
Concourse and New York University,
and the section has been rapidly build
ing up during the last two years.
"This is the neighborhood that will
be most affected by the running OF the
jerome Avenue line of the new rapid
transit route, which is ready for opera
tion and where the builders have been
most successful in disposing OF their
properties. Renting at the present time
is very active.
at is anticipated that there will be
a marked activity and large increase
in values within few years"
I recently received this letter from
Fodor e. Feuerlicht: ION account OF
the Save New York Movement we de-
sire 10 explain to the trade and TO the
public through your columns why we
leased space at 1Ai-147 West Thirty
sixth Street, which is in the Save New
York zone Although We arc CLASSIFIED
in the directory and in the telephone
book as furriers, We are fur pointers,
cementing white hairs into dyed foxes
10 make them look like silver foxes.
1--WE feel that this explanation is nee
essary in justice 10 tho trade and TO
ourselves, as VIC would, under no cir
cumstsnces, have thought of moving
into the Save New York zone If we had
been fur manufacturers
The apartment house in course OF
construction at $50 Park az. will be
nineteen stories, the tallest building
of it's kind in the world. The high
apartment house record is held by 9O3
Park av., at the northeast corner OF
10Th st., which is seventeen stories.
J. d. Mcguire will be a tenant Of $50
Park av. lie has leased through Pease
& Gilman an apartment of fourteen
rooms and four baths in the house.
c. L. G.. .Ditmars says: "Carretto
Foster, architects, have completed plans
for the new home Of the Baldwin llar-
Dor Yacht Club, on the shore OF NIL
burn Bay, Long Island. Docking ia
cilities and an anchorage are being
established. The grounds of the yacht
club are so situated as to make them
accessible to the system OF venetian