The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-27
BUSY TIMES AHEAD.

Everything seems to indicate that
the coming year will be a big one in
building circles. During the last
twelve months tho total building and
engineering operations\ thruout the
/ United States based upon contracts
awarded, it is estimated amounted to
approximately $4,000. 100000. This
was an increase of s750.000,000 over
I191s. The actual gain in construc-
ton work in 1919, however, was not
so extensive as these figures might in
hdicate for it must be taken into con-
sideration that the costs of labor and
materials are much higher than they
were one year ago.
During 1919 the heavy demand for
housing accommodations of all kinds.
increases in costs of operations, taxes
and other expenses have brought
about great advances in rents. A typi-
cal illustration of this has been shown
in New York City, where the average
advance during the past year has been
about 20 per cent and where the in
creases during the ensuing year are
expected to approximate the same
ed to take place thruout the country.
These increases have not only oc
CURED in the case of residential prop
critics and office buildings. but there
have been similar gains in the prices
paid for industrial and manufacturing
space.
with reference to the building situ
Straus & Co. says: According to
present indications. the coming year
Will witness the greatest building ac-
tivity this country has ever known.
All fundamental conditions are right
for a great building era. In the prin-
cipal American cities We shall see
much construction of the larger types
of residential buildings auch as apart
ment houses and hotels. as the short
age of servant labor and various other
conditions have created an unprece-
dented demand for living accommoda-
tions in buildings OF this description.
Never before has there been such
demand for structures of all kinds as
exists at present. During the past
year the population of all our cities
has increased considerably, which, to-
gether with tremendous business, e;;-
pansion and the large building deficit
which has existed siuce,1917 has Gre
ated very heavy building require
ments thruout the country.
Tho the ensuing year will witness
great activity in the building indus
try, this will not be commensurate
with the heavy demand, as the labor
situation has not yetbecome stabil
ized. and production for some time
will necessarily be far below demand.
Not only is there a shortage of labor
engaged in construction work,
but the stocks of building materials
are low"
According to some of the leading
of building materials
in the United States the demand for
their products at the present time is
much greater, than the supply. The
labor shortage has been the main
cause of underproduction, according
to these interests. In the steel indus
try. for example, the manufacturers
have not been producing so much as
in normal years, There are widely
divergent opinions as to the length of
time which must eIapse before pro-
duction in building materials reaches
the level of demand. bat the prevail !
ing belief among leading manufactur-
ers in this country seems to be that
after labor conditions have become
stabilized such an equalization will !
come within the next few months.
There is a reported tremendous short
age Of unssilled or wheelbarrow labor /
with the result that wages. for this
group have advanced since 1914 more
than $50 per cent so some reports !
show. This advance to unskillcd la |
Dor has resulted in large increases to
skilled labor for the reason that this
class of workmen has demanded
increase to that paid
laborers. All these advances |
to labor have played a most vital part
in the increased cost of materials.