Evening star., 1919-03-22
BOOM IN BUILDING
NOW EHPECTED
Lowering Prices Of Steel
Products Promises to Bring
General Stimulation.
NEW PRICES AGREED ON

Resumption of building on large
scale is expected to result from the
action of the steel men in consentine
to substantial lowering of prices
At the shipping board it was stated
that shipbuilding would be stimulated
because with the reduction of the
price of steel. expected to be followed
by lumber and all other material used
in ship construction. it would be pos
sible to build boats at less than Wal
cost.
Cities and counties needing material
for bridge, road and other structural
work will begin 10 buy in large quan-
titles, it is believed. Work on these
projects either had been suspended OF
carried on in sluggish half-hearteo
manner since the signing of the ar
nistice. All were waiting for re-
adjustment of prices and all seemed te
insist that such a readjustment waf
inevitable.
Sure Lumber Men Will Do Part.
George n Peek. chairman of the
industrial committee of the Depart
| ment of Commerce. intimated that
there was no apparent obstacle to
an understanding with the LUMBER
men. He declared that the steel man
ufacturers had met the committee
in an enlightened manner and he
was sure the lumber men would be
no less willing to do their share to-
! ward removing obstacles to lndus-
trial development.
Then will follow the brick and ce-
| ment men. When these agree to .
reduction in prices of their com
modities the railoard administra
tion will come in with an oner 10
carry road building and other struc-
tural material consigned to states
counties and municipalities at SUP
stantially lower rates than now pre-
vail
The lumber men say they received
a lower proportionate price for their
products during the war than was
given to steel or cement NeVerthe-
to permit this to influence them in
any decision they may reach in regard
to reducing present rates.
Judge Gary on New Schedule.
Judge Ebert H. Gary. chairman OF
the special steel committee, said the
prices agreed upon would remain in
force at least until the end of the
present year. This policy will entail
sacrifices. but will not subject any IN
terests to undue hardship, ne sald.
Judge Gary declared that the objects
to be gained by the new schedule
were revival of confidence and stlm-
ula ton of industry. Continuing. Judge
Gary said:
while the board has insisted upon
some changes in the schedule submit
ted before approving the same. yet
the iron and steel committee are con-
vinced that the members of the board
have been governed solely with the
intention of protecting and promot-
ing the best interests of the public,
the investors Of capital and the EN- :
ployes without discrimination. and
that the action of the board has been
wise and just.
THE iron and steel industry was the
first called upon by the board to meet
the business situation and to lend its
energies and assistance in bringing
about readjuStment and restoration OF
good business conditions. and there
! fore was the first called upon to make
the necessary sacrifice in profts; but
those connected with the trade be-
Iieye that as q result for the year as
a whole they will be compensated. and
that if other lines OF industry show
the same disposition as they undoubt
edly will. we may expect great bust
ness progress and prosperity in the
near future"
Prices Agreed On.
The committee announced that the
| following prices had been agreed
| upon:
Structural base. $2.45 per hundred
pouads, reduction 81 per net ton;
wire rod, $52 per gross ton. reduc-
| tion IS per gross ton; plain wire, -
per hundred pounds. reduction IS net
ton; nails. s3.2s per hundred pounds
| reduction IS per net ton: black
sheets. No. %, $4.35 per hundred
pounds. reduction 81 per net ton
(; blue annea1s. No. 10. 1856 per hun
dred pounds. reduction 81 per net ton;
galvanized sheets. No. %. $50 pei
hundred pounds, 81 per net ton.
! Tinplate No. 100. box. 81 per hun.
| dred pounds. reduction, 81 net ton
! tubular products. az points OF card
: reduction. 81 net ton: hoops-base
! $3.05 per hundred pounds. reduction
IS net ton: light rails, $2.45 per hun
dred pounds. reduction IS net ton
| rails standar rd Bessemer. $45 gross ton
reduction $40 gross ton; rails standard
open hearth, $47 gross ton. reduction
$40 gross ton. and ore, no change.
! Rasing points and diHerentials are
| unchanged. The prices are effective al