The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-10-24


1914, when it was simply a by-product of
the gravel pit, sand has been advanced
rapidly, through demand for concrete
work in greater quantities and of richer
makes than previously, and now in many
localities brings sl.25 yard Of course,
the cost of sand delivered to the job is a
totally different figure from this, and
does not bear the same relation to the
figure for 1914 as does the material at
she bank
In recent study of the building situa-
ton, based on general or average eondi
tions, it was. pointed out that carpenters
in 1914 We're getting so cents per hour for
l0-hour day with straight time for |
overtime In 1919 they were getting SlA |
cents per hour for an eight hour day with |
overtime figured at stirne and half or !
even double regular time. The straight
hourly rate has thus been increased 621s
per cent. On the basis of 64-hour week
| in each case which. by the way, IS no
where being realized today, the possible
notwithstanding capacity has increased l23
| per- cent. The actual earnings, however,
| have gone up only 55 per cent, due to vol
untarygti dleness and a growing tendency
to wander. This decrease is a personal
matter with the individual man. and does
not cheaper the job-that still has to
stand SO per cent or more excess cost.
Ii present plans materialize food will
cost less next year than has been the case
! this year. in spite of the great shortage
of farm labor The estimated production
of farm tractors for 1919 is considerably
more than double that of 1918, which in
turn was far in advance of any previ-
- lob In
for farm work is also greater than before
the war. in spite of the drafts of horses
sent to Europe These elements will go
; far to make up for the shortage in man
!. power, and should permit cheaper har-
vesting of crops.
The housing program of the British gov
eminent has developed into more ambi-
tious project than has before been made
: known At present it is planned to build
100000 houses within the next three years,
About 5000 are already under construc-
: ton and $4,000 have been designed. A
good many unit designs viii, of course,
! be used, and in most cases a definite effort
: will be made to harmonic the buildings
. with their surroundings.
The demand for residences continues
unchecked It is reported that practical
ly all of 100 new single houses now under
construction in Brookline and Newton
have been sold without affecting the vol
: ume of the demand 1t is expected that
= when the building movement gets under
: way in the spring land prices will ad
: vance materially, and add their quota to
: make it much more expensive to build al
: that time than now. Operators IN the
Boston district anticipate an unprecedent
cd volume of business between now anc
July next
Lumber interests anticipate that thu
present level of prices in the industry
will be permanent, and point to vlrtua
acceptance Of this fact on the part o
buyers as removing an obstacle which Ion,
Threatened to confine business and re
+ strict building While indications are ia
! vorable for many localities, there ar
strong indications that the demand during
the next few months or even years vii
j. show still greater increases. Both the do
n nestle situation and the requirement
?, abroad will contribute toward raisin
If this demand and retaining the presen
high price level
le While most lumber dealers believe. tina
y retail prices have about reached the peak
E. they do not anticipate any reduction IL
to price for the balance of the year.
~ Pressure for common brick has beeom
al exceedingly great at points of heavy build
IN ing activity Among other building ma
terials hydrated lime delivered lii burla
bags was recently advanced to 2246G pc
ton, due, it is said, to the decided advane
4 in the cost OF the burlap of winch tn
j bags were made Cement and wood flbr
1 plaster both have advanced and price
4 for soil pipe have been higher with deliS
4 cries scarce, for the mills are largely Over
4 sold
II Southern states aIe reporting ambition
\ housing programs which vie m MANY I,
4 spects with those OF the North. A singl
4 operation in Baltimore is estimated a
I 100000. This included tie buying {
I 40 acres in the northeastern section {
I the city, where 1t is expected that y
1 dwellings will be ready by carly fall. II
1 plans for this contract as whole cove
! the erection of 400 houses, which wi
I provide housing accommodations ior SON
1 1900 people
\ In Joint meeting, the commercial clu
4 Of St Louis and the chamber Of conlmert
\ laid plans for Sl,o00,000 organization |
relieve the shortage Of houses The cor
I Grafton to be formed will buy land clio,
I to industrial centers and erect individu
M houses to be sold to wage earners at co
- and ON easy terms An initial paymel
of 10 per cent will be followed bv unifor
payments over period of II years. wit
interest at not over 6 per cent The lie
islature is being requested TO eXeml
these securities from taxation. as arc far
loans under the land bank BILL August
Ga. reports the greatest constructions a
tivitv of recent years. Building material
particularly lumber are in great deman
the bungalow being the favored type
dwelling.