The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-18
BUILDING CURTAILED'
ONLY BY SUPPLIES
Unexpected and Unprecedented
Demand Develops When
Government Lifts Ban.
RUNAWAY MOVE CHECKED
$2O,00O,000 Worth of Con-
struction Relcascd-S2,500,-
100000 Is Ready to Proceed.

fernard M. Baruch, chairman OF tine
War Industries Board. is completing
non-war building construction pro-
gramme for the entire country far be-
youd the bounds of all precedent, ac-
cordlng to the Doc Serrico Daily BWld-
ing Reports to-day. In consequence the
regular Monday meeting OF the Mayors
committee will not be held to-day, but
has been postponed until Wednesday. In
timations from Washington of the plan
and scope OF the non-war construction
programme resulted in hurried consulta-
ton Of executive committees of pracu-
cally every building material industry
east Of the Mississippi, in this city at
the McAlpin. Building Trades Employ
ers Association and other places where
policies were shaped TO conform with
the now Federal plan which with
out any further doubt will promptly de-
Velep into an Importance which the most
conservative hardly dared to hope would
be contaminated before the expiration Of
at lea ct year. Already more than $780,
900, 900 worth OF construction work has
officially been released by n. r. McLen-
nan, chief OF the non-war construction
section of the War Industries Board, and
| there is pending before the Mayors COM
mlttee at this moment more than two
thirds OF that amount OF work. Stock
taking in most industries will be handled
where possible in December instead OF
January.
Estimates OF the quantity Of work
ready to go ahead vary. During Sep
| tember $4,000, 100000 worth Of con-
| struction work was active. The highest
the country has ever reached in build
ing material production has been cquiva
| lent to about $500. 100000 in actual
building requirement. II was this prob
| lem that called for drastic action. A
stampede TO construction with another
necessary Liberty Loan in sight and the
ann yto be demobilized would produce a
situation Of very serious mien. This is
the way 1t was solved: The hardest
pressed person during the necessary re-
straint upon building construction was
the small man with moderate holdings.
who suffered extreme hardship through
, being prevented from making improve
ments. The Government gave him a
free rein. provided his operation did not
| exceed $4,000 in cost. All work be-
tween $4,000 and 1000 in cost was
left to the discretion of the local coun-
ellis OF national defence. Jobs beyond
that figure were made referable TO
Washington for anal permit. In the
meantime building material manufac-
turers were encouraged TO proceed with
the manufacture of building commod-
ties at top speed. LABOR that ten days
ago was almost inpos sible to obtain was
suddenly released to carry out this plan.
One lime manufacturer who wanted a
! large number OF men was provided with
his entire quota inside Of three hours.
War industries plants not producing
materials necessary TO n non-combat-
| ing army will he demooilized gradually.
Then the armies returning from France
and other countries will begin to arrive,
and with Federal control OF the building
situation. with materials in fair de-
| mand and controlled according to do
! nestle and foreign requirements, both
! as 10 supply and price. the Homecoming
armies can be absorbed into the con-
struction industry. both private and pub
| lie, which, next to agriculture. will lie
| the major channel of military dispense
meut
Tho building industry. through this
| plan cmerges with less than a weeks
notice from the most depressed OF non
| essential industries TO a place OF para
mount national and international I'M
| portance. Without general organization.
| as In the steel industry. far sighted
officials foresaw the danser OF lack Of
! cooperation and the greater danger Of
! price wars. &c, unless not only the de-
| mand but the supply OF building mate
rials was placed under Government su-
! peryision.
There will develop an export trade
| in all kinds OF bash building materials
| within the next few months. Common
| brick from the Hudson River is even
now in certain buildings in France. and
there are a few inquiries for hollow
tile for export. The same may be said
fn oil A. l..
| commodity, and there is likelihood OF a
! foreign movement in plaster and lime
| Companies have already been organized
| to export mill work and kalame!n.
The attitude of the New York city
| financ!ers is directly in line with this
new Teadjustment policy with Relation
to building construction The Dow Scr
rice Daily Buiidir0 Reports was inform
ed on Friday by an officer OF probably
| the largest lending institution in the
country that no engagements would I've
made for building construction in New
York before next September except as
approved and in accordance with Fed
eral plan, This policy Is shaped en-
| tirely so as to give the small operator
| a chance 10 recover. There is no re-
striction placed upon savings banks and
other building loans, IL the project has
| official approval.
! Building material prices current in
| all parts Of the eastern section OF the
country are spot. There is much COW
ering, one brick plants capacity was
entirely absorbed. up to April in four
| days last week. Quotations are not
! being made at all in some lines, Lime
was advanced 20 cents a barrel. Port
| land cement probably will move up be-
! fore the first OF the year. Considering
/ the sudden turn about in the building
! situation material supply and price con-
| ditions are steady with the general ten
dency not to put prices up further, hut
| rather 10 meet the proEpectlye builder