The Washington times., 1920-08-14
BUILDING ACTIVITY
LOWER DURING JULY
Decline OF Fl Per Cent Noted
Over June Figures-Demand
Continues to Increase.

Building operations during the
month OF July showed a decline OF 81
per cent from the previous month, ac-
cording TO statistics compiled by the
+. w. Dodge Company. Contracts
awarded during July in the territory
east OF the Missouri and north OF the
Ohio riveSs amounted TO s204. sos. 900.
Building conditions in 1920 have
been without a precedent in the past.
In 1919. July was the month that
showed the largest amount OF work
started, whereas this year the July
figure Is lower than that for any
previous month. The fact is that in
previous months OF this year con.
tracts were awarded in such great
volume as to severely strain the coun-
try's capacity for production OF the
finished buildings. especially in view
OF the difficulties OF transportation
o, materials. The present slump ar
fords the construction industry II
chance to catch up on existing con-
tracts.
In the meantime the demand for
construction continues 10 pile up.
Contemplated projects reported by
| the +. w. Dodge Company from
January TO August have amount
| ed to $4,000, 100000. which is very
nearly double the volume OF work
| started. which has amounted to ST.
| 7i8O 900 900. Work started in the first
seven months of 1910 amounted to
| 81 ,3Ol .0OO,o
The accumulated demand must
| operate in favor OF increased
amounts of work started just as
rapidly as the retarding conditions
| show signs OF improvement.
THE WASHINGTON DISTRICT.
July building contracts in eastern
Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey
Maryland Delaware. the District of
Columbia and Virginia amounted to
| s23.370, 900, a slight increase over the
June figure.
| The July figure included the follow
! ing items: S5,545,O 900, or "A per cent,
for industrial buildings: s5.375o00 or
% per cent. for residential buildings;
81 357 900. or 10 per cent. for public
! works and utilities; and s3,656,0O0, or
| lG per cent. for business buildings.
| Contemplated work reported in July
| amounts TO s3l.Sl40 900. This hgur"
brings the total of contemplated work
reported during the first seven months
of this year to S536. 900. 900. as com
1 =.
! awarded in tho same period. Contem-
! plated work for the first seven months
of this year included $40, 0,i23.000 for
public works and utilities; Sl165S3.ooo
! for residential buildings; S93 900
for industrial buildings; s6s,9s3,000
{ for business buildings.
NEW ENGLAND.
July building contracts in the New
{ 10
600. which was about the same as tho
average monthly figure for the first
/ half of the year.
In detail. the July building figures
show tho following items: Industrial
| buildings amounting to S1,l35.o 900. hr
- per cent Of tho total: residential
buildings amounting to s6,5i6,000. or
- per cent of the total; and business
buildings amounting to Si,S00,000, or
Is per cent of the total.
| Contemplated work amounting to
! s42, OBJ. 900 was reported in July. bring
ing the total Of contemplated work
reported from January to August |
up to $3.50. 900, 900. as compared with
contracts amounting to S20S,OO0,0OO
awarded during the same seven
months. The contemplated work re-
! ported In that period included: $si,-
]
! 9o9. 900 for residential buildings: and
s65.1s6,o00 for business buildings.
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.
In New York State and northern
New jersey building contracts for
July amounted TO $50 43O,0 600, a very
marked decline from the figure for
June.
The July total included: SS.675 900,
or "a per cent. for business buildings;
$500 600, or % per cent, for resi-.
Dental buildings; S6,45o,O0O. or 1S per
cent, for industrial buildings: and So
33S,000, or II per cent for public
works and utilities.
Contemplated work amounting to
s56,1O0,000 was REPORTED in July. From
January l to August l the amount OF
contemplated work reported in this
district was S655. .0O0, 900, as compared
with actual contracts awarded in the
|