South Bend news-times., 1919-07-13
BUILDING CAIN
IS 3 PERCENT
IN ONE DISTRICT
Contracts Awarded During
First HaIf-year Show Defi-
mite Impetus.

Building contracts awarded during
the first half Of 1919 east Of the
Mississippi river and north Of the
Ohio totalIed S99O.OO.OOO. according
20 one estimate % per cent in
crease over the average volume for
corresponding months for the five
year period preceding 1919.
Since January the outlook has
changed from one-of pessimism 20
one Of fairly widespread optimism
Rents and property va5ues increased
more nearly in "a proper ratio 20 the
cost OF building materials and wages,
and now assure the prospective
builder a more adequate return upon
his investment While the seasons
total may not exceed normal, 10
seems as II 1919 would be. not rela-
lively alone. but absolutely. a good
building year. Material manufac-
tUTers have under estimated. rather
than over-estimated. requirem ents.
and limited supply may have a re-
straining effect. Bank credit is not
freely available at all points other
wise circumstances favor building.
Building i'm South.
Throughout the south much build
ing is reported. especially in larger
towns and cities Industrial con-
struction near or in Detroit approx
mates 800. $1,000. counting projects
soon 10 be launched. Chicago in
tends building hotels valued AT S14.-
600. 900. while New York needs near
l. $1,000 apartment buildings, and
will doubtless make a considerable
start toward their erection during
the present year Fabricated steel
Jobs lot in June are expected 20 re-
Quire tonnage equal 20 60 per cent
capacity Of the mills for one month.
Signing the peace treaty sharply
Increased the movement of building
materials at New York and else
where. orders for building materials
had been withheld until the last
door 10 resumption Of war closed.
Inquiries for Portland cement IN
June doubled May inquiries and
gained $50 per cent over June. 1915.
Pressure for common brick became
very marked.
Labor Difficulties Persist.
Labor difficulties interpose the
sole obstacle 70 genuine building ex-
pansion. The only hope of avoiding
further wage increases lies in the
possibility that living costs will re-
cede.
The alien exodus threatens 10
create a labor shortage. Advancing
wages would force building mater
falls upward unless production could
be 50 increased as to overcome the
handicap. Prices are now holding
firm with no prospect Of decline. It
seems as advantageous TO build now
IS II will be for two. three or more
years
Lumber Mills Rushed
The lumber m lis enjoy a rushing
business and fail behind in filing
orders Prices have stiffened with
rising demand. Export demand may
further complicate the domestic stu
alton as Europe needs much timber
for rebuilding devastated areas.
Charles S. Keith. president of the
National Lumber Manufacturers as
sociation, declares the supply OF lum-
Der in the United States less than
one-half normal, and believes that
production has not met consumption
since January.
The National Association of Real
Estate Boards in session at Atlantic
City recently favored government
loans 20 promote home building,
while its president. William NJ Gar
land. urged the establishment of a
federal real estate department with
a secretary in the cabinet