Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-31
OUTLOOK FOR INDUSTRIAL
BUILDING IS IMPROVING
Result Both Because of and Despite
the War, Says American
Contractor.
IMMENsE CANToNMENT WORK
Three Great Military Cities Are Be-
ing Erected in Virginia, Giving
Employment t. All Available La
Dor at Top Prices.

ing Erected in Virginia, Giving
Employment to All Available La
Dor at Top Prices.
The outlook for industrial building
Is improving, both because OF and de-
spite tho war. says tho American Con-
tractor. 1t is an undeniable fact that
with prolonged war, the construction
OF manufacturing buildings is certain
TO feel a new impetus, The demand
for added manufacturing space Is al
ready urgent, and extensions TO plants.
construction of storehouses. new fac
tories. engineering projects. etc. are
being planned. In the central west
ern section of the country, manufac-
turing construction, projected during
June, shows a remarkable increase
both over the month preceding and
over June of last year. The total pro-
ject for this section in June
10 $3.50 600. as compared with s2.TO1,-
600 in May. 1917. and S2,4S2.0 900 for
June. 1915. This may be taken. as
fairly representative of the trend of
industrial construction in other parts
OF the country.
Coincident with the change of the
building trend toward manufacturing
WoTh, lHcTe Is a tenQelCy iOT COTpO-
rations TO build priced houses
for their employees. The obvious nee
essity OF keeping labor stable and
hating the rowing tendency of en-
ployees at the present time. undoubt-
eddy has much 10 do with this move
ment. 1t is probable that the idea will
be adopted more widely as the war
progresses and labor ~stringency in
ease
CANToSMENT WORK
Is A BIG PROPOSITION
Much interest has been aroused in
the governments ~cantonment work.
While 1t Is true that the structures
are of a temporary nature, tho size
of the operations is indeed great. The
total value OF residential work in the
year 1915 was 500, 600, 900. Conpar-
ing this with the estimated cost OF the
environments which are to be con-
]structed. which is reported about $780,
900, 600, II will be found that this work
noun to seven per cent. OF the total
residential building for the country In
| 1915. However, since the environments
are TO be built in approximately three
months time and since twenty-siH per
cent. of normal residential building is
lone in the three months OF July, Au-
gust and September (the same time
designated for the completion OF the
~can,onments). perhaps a fairer com
n1TlSOn OIL u IL VI Wv
work with normal residential building
would be during that period. Accord
inCly twetny-SiX per cent. OF $50
600. 900 Is $4,000. 600, or the value OF
residential work for these three months
in 1915. Comparing this with $4,000
600, IT Is seen that the
will amount to about twenty-ntne per
cent. Of the value of residence build
ing during this period. This compari-
| son brings out clearly the real mag
nitude of the government operations.
1t is well TO remember that each OF
these camps attract a consioeraoie
number Of buildings for stores. work
mems lodging houses. etc-. ana WIZ IN
all probability exert an enersizinS IN
fluence on the business OF tho local.
ties where they are located. "noie
new towns are likely TO spring up In
| the vicinity of the camps.
RICHMOND INTERESTED IN
CANTONMEST BUILDING
Three of the c~antonments are located
in Virginia. That one in which fticn-
mond is most interested and which is
| this city is being erected at Camp Lee
lust outside of Petersburg, for the
| new draft army. Rhinehart and Den
| mis-, OF Charlottesville. are the con-
tractors. Another cantonnient whtch
is drawing labor largely from Rich
| mona Is ltldl oClI6 o' N'N 49,
Jamestown Exposition roun near
! Norfolk, for the new naval base. The
Wise Granite Company. OF Richmond.
has the contract. The other canton
ment in Virginia Is that going up at
Quantico for the marine corps.
MANY NEW CORPORATIONS
BEING FORMED
During the year 1916 this country
experienced a record period OF busi-
| ,>aus DroSnarjtv. hut from Indications
thus far received, statistical and other
wise. il seems hat 1917 bids fair to
excel in the volume OF business amp
period in the history Of the country.
AS one Indication OF how we are
awakening to this prosperity there has
been a tremendous number of new
corporations formed during the last
two months. During May new char
tcrs were heavier than for any month
in the history of the country. amount
ing to s3ss.4Sl,ooo for firms with a
capitalization OF $1,000. 900 and over.
June interpretations show an increase
OF SS7.134.00o over June. 1916. General
confidence as shown by new enterprises
is extremely optimistic.
Total bank clearings, one of the
most significant OF business indica-
tors, show an increase of $6.0sO.2S7.G4S
over June OF last year. at which time
the figures were greater than ever be-
fore. Nearly every locality reporting
shows IA marked increase. indicating
that business activity is not confined
especially TO certain localities. but is
Widespread. extending all over tho
country.
Money is plentiful and banks are
glad TO loan at prevailing rates. which
are reasonable, considering the enor-
nous demand for new capital. 1t is
proba BILE that every effort will be made
to keep money easy in order TO facili-
tate the great commercial and indus
trial expansion which Is promised.
money IN circulation per capita for
June Is S45.4S as compared with S2S. 3s
In June. 1915, and S35,07 two years
ago.
summarizing business conditions fer
all sections. IT may be said with as.
surance that the outlook is the most
optimistic for years past.
Those who doubt that so integral a
part OF the nations prosperity as the
building business will share the gen.
eral good times are without knowledge
OF past history. Building is sure to