The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-02
COST ONLY CHECK
ON CONSTRUCTION
Prospective Operations De-
pend on Prices Manufactur-
ers Ask for Materials.
COOPERATION rs SOUGHT
Labor's Wages Fixed for Next
Year-Brick and Glass
Are Scarce.

Il 10 becoming moro apparent daily in
building material and construction mar
lSets that the building investor IL seeking
greater assurance of stability OF price
md basic cost OF construction before re-
leasing enterprises according to the
Dop Ser-rice Daily Building Reports to-
day. In consequence OF the general
recognition OF this tendency trade meet
lngs are to be held in this city and many
other parts OF the country this week ana
next. The keynote OF all will be how TO
insure price, stability and uniform con-
struction costs. The Building Trades
Employers Association OF New York
took steps last week to insure the staoil-
ity Of the labor situation. The board OF
governors adopted a resolution TO the
effect that all trade agreements expiring
~ the end OF 1918 may be renewed for
time not exceeding one year, and that
trade associations shall not agree TO pay
II wage in excess of that now being paid
The window glass situation is typical
~ practically every other basic building
commodity at present. Stocks were
never 50 low. Jobbers stocks are SUI
flcient for any moderate demand, but
since manufacturing Interests had laid
their plans for very much restricted
output during the season Just starting II
will be impossible for them TO produce
he called for Therefore the strain upon
current jobbers stocks is beginning to
he felt. The present season was TO have
started on December s. but because Of
the desire OF manufacturers TO conform
TO the wishes of the War Service Com
mittee no repairs to plants had been
made during the idle period. and with
two years depreciatio 1t Is impossible to
throw in anything like plant capacity at
present. Some will be able to start, but
architects and contractors will not be
able to figure on anything Ike adequate
stocks until we'll into the close OF the
present season. There will be little or
TO glass at hand to replenish stocks until
the middle OF January. This also should
affect prices. but the skilled artisans of
the glass industries have had up for
some time a wage increase proposition
which probably will be partially granted.
In the common brick department
there Is a very definite effort being made
npon the part of both manufacturer and
distributor to keep the market from
running away. In almost every de-
partment there are Individual manufac-
turers of many building commodities
who are finding It difficult TO pass by
the temptation to sell at a sacrifice TO
obtain ready funds. and there is also an
inclination upon the part Of some dis
tributers to restrain the impulse to buy
so as TO crowd the market down as
low as possible. There Is in consequence
q wide margin OF prices quoted. As low
rs $3.50 has been bid for "off load
brick, and yet there are cases where the
best Fgrades are being held at SIS q
thousand.
The cement interests are planning &c
enter upon an international market for
the first time. The mills of the country
ba ri
nestle demand, but they are trying &c
offset this by rushing manufacture al
full speed so as to have stock on hand
when the export movement begins, Lum'
her is the only commodity that show:
signs of price recessions, but that Is
only true OF certain departments.
Building material manufacturers are
told outright by architects and owner:
that the size of the peace time building
movement is entirely within their hands
If they make the cost attractive owner:
will build.