The evening world., 1917-07-07
3,43O,OOO PERSONS
MAKE HOMES NOW
N G. N. Y.FLATS
Year Construction Is Be-
low Average, but Increases
House Total to lO4,985.

Flatbullders are falling far behind
their records Of last year.
Only s2s new houses have been put
up In the Greater City during the
past six months, in comparison
with eco for the nrst half Of 1915. They
contain homes for 2O.714 persons. The
output a year ago was for 4O.4l5. In
cost the work Is half that Of the 1915
period, the total being l13,4l4,00O.
Landlords and renting agents are
baslng much Of their campaign for
higher rents on this decrease in con-
struction. They say the high prices
Of materials and labor, with other
conditions OF initiation due TO the
war. are restricting the production Of
new homes 10 a point where Increased
congestion OF population Is imminent
and that the law OF supply and de-
p. mand justifies rising rentals. They
will make use OF this argument 10 the
utmost from midsummer 20 he end
OF the fall renting season on Oct. 1.
They expect great pressure 70 secure
new living quarters. II II should
~materialize they will seize the OPP
portunity TO force an average 10 per
cent. advance In rents, the old ten
ants being compelled TO pay as well
as those Who move.
A. yet, however, they are some
what wary about disturbing the
terms OF contracts with old tenants
and the majority Of landlords are re-
newing leases at prevailing rates pro-
vldlng their tenants sign contracts
before the middle OF this month. BY
that time will have a better
forecast OF conditions In the fan and
they will try a concerted movement
to boost rents on all tenants who have
not FASTENED TO take advantage OF
their alleged generous offer 10 new
at the old prices within a close time
limit.
The half years construction OF flats
increases the number OF such houses
In the Greater City 10 i0i, 1855. They
contain $50, 900 apartments, Figuring
the average family al three and a
half persons. they house n population
OF 4 30,0O0-a strong majority OF the
entire people. leaving barely $500. 900
TO I'LL all OF the private dwellings.
hotels, boarding houses and other
places OF abode.
In the metropolitan district con-
struction OF fats Is no larger In per-
centage than in the Greater City. the
past six months recording 42S houses
~ n cost OF SIS, S21 800. II compares
with $50 and tS1. 6S5. 900 last year In
GLIDING land the total investment has
been over t25, 900, 900. The houses
make homes for $4,000 persons in 6.s55
apartments.
Manhattan shows a distinct ten
dency 10 smaller living quarters. two
room and three-room apartments be-
Ing favorites. Most new houses are
OF this type. main exceptions being
skyscraper structures in such high
class residential districts as Park,
Fifth and Madison Avenues or the
West End, where rentals run well
into the thousands and homes are
designed for one family on a floor,
anordlng practically more room
than could be found in the most lux
urious Of old-time average private
dwellings.
These big structures have increased
cost total without showing n fair ad-
dillon TO volume OF housings. They
swell Manhattan OUTLAWS TO near
S6.5O0,o 900 for scarcely more than nifty
new houses making homes for 2.S75
families; not half the number pro-
vided for last year.
Brooklyn builders have put up new
houses for 2,OS7 families, or 7,150 per-
sons In $50 buildings, at n cost OF
ss,04e, 900. The average house has cost
S22.b00-a structure OF the four-story
type-compared with Si3i 900 in Man
haitian, where the average has risen
to six stories.
In the Bronx The average house has
cost over S47 200. II is n hve-story
building. Bronx builders show a de.
crease In volume and cost OF housings
for the third consecutive year, theiI
half-year work calling for seventy
three structures at n cost OF Sl,400,
900. TIVE years ago their record fol
the frst half OF the year was over 25t
with q 1000. 900 outlay.
Queens has gained over 800 apart,
ments In Atty new houses at a cos
above Ss50,00O. Several structures o
tue larger type, notably In Long Isl,
and city CAd one at Forest Hills
have raised the average cost. Their,
is new housing for over 1000 persons