Weekly journal-miner., 1920-01-07
(From Thursdays Daily

| lIlllC lllC lllllG II Oll ldSlClClS SS6lA u hold the key to the building situation for the next year. While lumber is high, and all building materials have scared in price, the nail is getting to be so scarce as to be off the market as far as any extensive building op- erations are concerned. One of the prominent contractors and builders of this city stated he thought he had nails enough to finish the building he had under way, and then he would be forced to stop unless more were ob- tainable. Naturally he could not pre- dict much building activity during the coming season.
 More activity in building circles has taken place in Prescott last year than is generally recognized by the public. While not in any sense boom period the steady erection of additional resi- dences and business improvements made in the face of labor shortage, and wartime prices for material and labor, but testihes to the solid foun- dation upon which has been builded this city of 5000 inhabitants
 Among the operations noted in casual retrospect of the progress of the past year, survey not intended in any sense to be complete, was the improvement of the Murphy block This well known property is now oc- cupied by the Fen Hildreth residence, a structure creditable to any city. Allan Love completed extensive alter ations and additions to his residence in the same locality, Chris Totten erecting half dozen bungalows fill ing up the block.
 Picner's residence, on East Gurley, near Mt Vernon, evidences the mod ern and therefore soDsrantial build ing characteristic of the structures built this past year, as does the Mad den property on South Mt Vernon. The Behn property on East Willis street, between Mt. Vernon and Vir- ginia streets, was purchased and re- modelled by William Shaw, contractor and builder, H. B. DeBaca purchasing this as a permanent residence hold ing. Two modern bungalows were built by MT. Shaw oil ground adjoin- ing the DeBaCa residence.
 This believer in the future of Pres colt, erected four bungalows on Mt Vernon street just south of Gurley, as well as a residence at South Pleas ant street.
 East Willis, at the corner of Wash ington street, has four modern bun galows under course of erection by this same builder, who is about to start three more on Washington street, at Willis street William Shaw stated that he had had exten- sive building operations under con temptation for the coming year. But what with the scarcity of material and help, and the extreme advance i'll the cost of the same, he would probably be forced to wait a more settled con dition, especially in view of the fact that the obtaining of even nails was an important consideration that re- quired a solution before further buiIG- ing could be considered.
 Then too, the lack of desirable lots in the built up residential sections was another hindering factor. Held for speculation by those who showed but little inclination to consider the needs and wcll-being of their home town, but who planned to profit by the progressiveness of others, the re- suit was to present such ridiculous | hoist to the cost of household to d | prospective owner, that a charge of prohteering would be quite proper.
 NJ. P. Agen further completed the sky line" of Mt. Vernon street by the erection of commodious resi-. i dence on South Mt Vernon.
 J. A. Jaeger built modern garage on his property on South Pleasant ] street besides making extensive alter ations and improvements on his resi- dcnce as well. The Storey house is fine model of city residence building, as is the Madden structure on South Mt Vernon. 1
 Former Mayor Heap rcmodcled his residence on South Cortez. In Pine Crest J. $. Bethea, purchasing the Girand property, made it into a new one, the Wheeler residence being an addition to the fine properties in thai section of the city. Milton Updegraff is another who added fine modern structure to the city's residence struc- lures.
 William Lineback, local plumb ing contractor, built four houses in that portion ot the city north of the Santa Fc, known as tho "Old Ball Park" Being just without the city limits there has been little delay in securing city water for these houses, but it is believed that this will be soon arranged so that these houses will be available for the coming sea son.
 Dr. J. B. McNaiIy erected a modern residence at the corner of Grove street and Western avenue, and is re- DOrted tO hr COuternDlatinp Ortfiupi