Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-28
1919T0RAvE BIG
BUILDING REVIVAL
Expert Says Actual Demand
Requires immediate
Construction.

Despite the usual and varied factors
affecting construction work at this
time indications point to the greatest
revival during 1913 which this coun-
try has ever experienced. Noble Fos-
ter Hoggson, q prominent New York
builder said This Is true largely
because certain clashes Of structures
must be erected almost at once to
provide for actual demand" he con-
tinued.
Dwellings to Lead the Way.
He said that FIRST Of all. in the
larger cities. apartment houses and
dwellings will lead the way. but
closely following will be office build
ings. lofts and Industrial structures.
There will be a tremendous amount
of bank building" he said. "All over
the country our financial institutions
have been carrying on their work in
quate quarters, waiting for a favora-
Bile time to erect new buildings or
modernize their quarters by remodel
ing. Banks have never been more
prosperous, and the bankers seem to
feel that not only will they be meeting
Gil eCOuoullC uSSu Dy DUllOluS uo"s
but that their action in this regard
will set a precedent in their commu-
mites and encourage other owners to
build. It is the specified wish Of the
government that, In order to provide
employment, construction work be put
under way at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
Tn the Industrial. as we'll as in the
domestic and commercial fields. build
ing should see 4 large and healthy
increase in volume New factories
must be built: plant extensions are
an economic necessity: war plants, in
stead of being strapped or abandoned,
peace work.
Housing for Employees.
Housing for employees, which re-
ceived such an impetus during the
past two years, will be carried out on
a vaster scale than we had ever
thought possible. Employers have
recognized the actual money value
return of providing good housing ac
computations for their employees. 1t
is fatuous to believe that the en-
ployers have not proflted by the les
sons Of the war. They have learned
that contented workmen are the best
possible asset, that high labor turn
over Is wrong and expensive, and
that proper housing is one Of the
greatest if not the greatest factor In
reducing labor turnover and keep
ing employees happy on the job.
THE immense amount of recon-
structfon work to be done in France
and Belgium is going to affect build
ing conditions in this country more
than is generally realized. This is
true particularly in regard to prices
for materials. The excessive demand
for certain materials for use abroad
is most likely to keep prices in this
country up to the present high level
1t should be remembered that since
1914 this country, except for short
period in 1916, has been underbuilt.
Building must cease being gam
bling proposition, the owner taking
a long chance on getting his struc-
ture erected for a sum of money
In the future there must be a closer
and fAirer relationship between the
owner and the builder. The builder
must gain the confidence Of the own
er. and, in turn, the owner owes GER
tain duties to the builder. Under
the usual building procedure. the
builder is a gambler. too: taking
job on a low competitive bid, and
hoping by some hook or crook to
make money on it The formation Of
the Associated General Contractors
of America recently worked a great
step forward in raising the building
industry to a higher level, and 1t is
through movements of this kind that
the investor will feel free to put his
money into building operations.