The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-24

decrease In the cost of construction will
not be equal to the advance in land.
The present outlook for building in the
suburbs Is that the situation will not bC
| cleared up until spring. That is to say
quotations on building materials are nov
being made only for short periods. prac-
, Ideally from day to day, 20 that no con-
If time. The situation Is SO that the
builder will have TO buy his materials
{ the prices prevailing on the day. ht
| needs them, whether those prices be high
OF low, unless he wishes to have the
construction Of his building drag along
indefinitely while waiting for low fg-
ures.
There Is. however. n great unknown
factor which might transpose the entire
situation. A LOT, Of material which was
10 have been used for Government war
work has been released by the cessation
II operations into which II was to 70
Some OF this material is at the source
OF supply, and some on or near the Jobs.
On whether the Government or those
who had contracts with the Government
shall see At to dispose Of these materials
az sacrifces or sell them at figures
which will return them sufficient funds
to cover the cost of labor depends the
cost OF many dwelling operations
Should the Government decide to dispose
OF Its holdings OF building materials,
including plumbing and heating APP
)aratus, at auction there Ia y possbil-
lty that some houses may be built at
something near pre-war prices. There
Is also the alternate possibility that with
the present stocks practically depleted
In many lines, particularly plumbing
an auction of plumbing materials would
perhaps bring higher than market prices
through keen competitive bidding.
While the possibility Of the Govern
ment auctioning much building material
is likely. there 10 equally as much hkeii-
hood that the Government will work out
some plan with the supply contractors,
whose stocks are depleted, to take back
the unused materials at or near the
prices paid for them. Such an arrange
ment would have a tendency to make
prices hold.
1t Is foregone conclusion that once
the present stock of any building ma
terial is used UP prices will advance II
wages continue at the prevailing rate.
The metal lines have felt this wage in
iuence perhaps more than any other.
Prices here have advanced as much as
800 per cent The big problem Is the
cost OF labor. There will be tendency
for labor to want the same rating as
was paid by the Government for war
work. and IL the demand is sufficient to
maintain high prices this rate may be
paid. Labor therefore Is the biggest
factor in the suburban building prob
lem. though the higher cost OF coal and
transportation must be considered also.
The average increase in suburban
work as compared with the spring of
1914, which was the lowest period In
about ten years. is 40 to so per cent.
but the average increase compared with
the boom times OF 1906. when prices
were high. Is only about rs per cent.
There are of course some lines Of
building materials which have not been
affested by the Governments war pro-
gramme. and these naturally do not
show the increases which the others
have. Stone. tile roofing. slate roofing
and some other articles are still plenti-
full Such materials are very apt to be
placed into dwellings. according to Mr..
Lambert, and II Is upon this belief that
he bases his idea that the home owner
who builds on a cost plus basis will
exert a great economic influence on the
operations.
The thrifty habits which have been
to the public through the
war are sure to be continued High cost
of living will of necessity compel this
practice. There has already developed a
natural tendency to do away with waste.
This Idea and others based on eco
nomical practices are expected to be re-
Elected in the newer types of suburban
homes The public. It Is expected, will
demand more compact houses. with less
rooms and SO constructed that every
inch OF space Is put 10 some purpose.
The big attics and gables, erected