The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-05-17
BUILDE;RSFIN
OUTLOOK IS
ENCOURAGING


and builders are preparing for the big
construction boom which is expected
by the first of June is to be found in
the building situation this week, says
the American Architect. Cooperation
from large loaning interests, so vitality
necessary if there is to be a big squirt
in the face of material and labor costs,
is now assured if predictions of leading
mortgage loan and banking interests
to the effect that building money will
be much freer after May 81, material
ize.
A thorough study of the situation re-
veals the fact that there is just one
right way to meet this phase of the
problem which has caused the retard-
ing of construction of a large scale so
far this spring, and that is federal CO.
operation in the extension of credit
to builders so that they may go ahead
more rapidly and meet the pressing
demand for dwellings. This same view
was put before the New York state
commission a short time ago. and fol-
lows the attitude of most foreign gov
ernments which are devoting funds and
effort to improve after-war housing
conditions. Ii federal assistance could
be secured the last hinderance to the
| free resumption of building would be
removed.
| In the minds of may who are stu
dents of economic conditions there is
a feeling that present price levels VIII
be maintained to great degree. or
| that there will be no sensational decline
under present high production costs.
In the material markets the American
! Architest's correspondents report show
the price tendency to be downward on
neat cement, lime and hollow tile. All
common brick remains firm. Lum-
Der, is firming up considerably in price,
! Oak, in particular, is scarce IN the
/ hands of the manufacturers, and there
have been advances OF from So to 30
per thousand feet in the upper grades
/ in the last ten days. Maple and birch
alone are firm in price with slight ad-
yances in the wholesale prices OF the
lformer. Mahogany, however, has de-
clined in price since the signing of the
! armistice This is due to the fact that
boats are now bringing logs from the
! Liverpool markets. Mahogany is now
/ selling at &c cents per foot. 1t was as
/ high as 35 cents during the war.
Labor conditions are fairly satisfac-
i tory. with few employers showing any
i inclination to bring about a readjust-
4 ment in this present period of high liv-
ing costs.
Appleton p Clark, Jr., representing
D the Washington chapter. American In
4 stitute of Architects, on the central
sterilization committe of the istrict OF
Il Columbia takes an encouraging view
4 of the building situation. The rapid
! ty with which the sterilization plans
! have been perfected, Mr.. Clark be-
j lieves shows the willingness of the
i building industry to cooperate in the
stimulation of construction.
i Mr.. Clark attended the meeting of
\ the committe last week. when reports
4 received from labor representatives in
J dicated that the majority of building
/ trades unions would agree to work at
i the wage scale which became effective
! November, 1913 The carpenters, who
/ are not affiliated with the Building
+, Trades Union, are demanding an In
i crease Of from rs cents to 7S IL cents
i per hour. Elevator constructors were
i also reported to be asking an increase.
i though it Is expected that the wage
A question can soon be adjusted in their
case.
The master builders have reached
4 an agreement whereby they will fig
ure the same percentage Of profit on
work as prevailed before the war, dis
h regarding increased overhead expenses
n after May 1. The builders urged labor
4 unions to voluntarily recede to Novem-
Der. 1918, wage scale. The builders
supply representatives reported gem
eral agreement to guarantee prices un>
til the specific contract is completed.
They viii maintain the present SEIZED.
ule on contracts from August 1, 1918,
until January 1. 1920