The Washington times., 1920-09-11
AUGUST BUILDING
SHOWS GOOD GAIN
Other Factors Besides Gain In
dicate Temporary Construc-
ton Slump Is Over.

Building operations during the
month of August showed slight In
crease over July. according TO statis-
ties compiled by the #. W. Dodge
Company. Contracts awarded during
August in the twenty-five States COM
prising the northeast quarter cf
the country amounted to S205. .651 900
as against S204 .39S. 900 for July.
While this increase is not sufficient
in itself to indicate an upward trend
in construction activity, there are
other factors which encourage the
belief that the temporary slump is
nearly over.
The amount of contemplated work
reported in August was S357,61O.OOO.
compared with $334,341. 900 for July.
This increase, in view OF the enor-
l. rus pressing demand for buildings
81 various classes, gives some indi-
cation of reaw ak kened interest In car
'Tying out the years building program
An idea Of the amount of deferred
construction at present may be gained
from the fgnres on contemplated pro-
jects reported by the F. w. Dodge
Company for the first eight months
Of the year, which have reached the
sum of $3,661. .451 900. Normally the
amount OF contracts awarded during
the same period would amount to
about two-thirds of the amount OF
work projected. Consequently, to pre-
serve the normal proportion. con.
tracts awarded for the eight months
should amount to about 81, ,400, 100000,
whereas the actual amount is $780,
$4,000. leaving a deficit of about
$3.50 100000 worth OF construction.
Contracts awarded in the first eight
Vnnntha nf 1QD0 IN SI Qhc
$4,000, compare most favorably with
the amount for the same period IN
1919. which was 81 500. 81 4 900.
The indications for the remainder
OF the year are that Succeeding
months will show greater activity
than has been in evidence during the
summer months.
NEW ENGLAND.
August building contracts in the
New England States amounted to
$22, ,921 900, a decline of 90 per cent
from the July figure.
In detail the August building fg-
ures show the following items: Resi-
Dental buildings amounting to $6,-
175.000. or 81 per cent Of the total
business buildings amounting to $5,-
10000. or 25 per cent Of the total;
industrial buildings amounting to
~H,oso,VVV, VI 81 pCT SShl VI Tie totdI
and public works and utilities
amounting to S3,072,o00, or 13 per
cent OF the total.
Contemplated work reported during
the first eight months of the year in
New England has amounted to $417,-
S38,000, as against contracts aggre-
eating $231.359.000.
Ths contemplated work reported in
that Dsr4od included sss, ,os9. 900 for in
dustrial plants; $89,570.O00 for resi-
Dental buildings; $72,521 900 for busi-
ness buildings; and $58,669, 900 for
public works and utilities.
NEW YORK STATE AND NORTHERN
NEW JERSEY.
In New York State and Northern
New Jersey building contracts for Au-
gust amounted to $38. .431 900. an in
crease Of per cent over the July
figure.
The August total included: $12.78s.-
800, or 33 per cent. for residential
buildings; $7.725,000, or 20 per cent for
public works and utilities; $6,1O2,00O,
or 16 per cent, for business buildings;
and $3.719,000, or 10 per cent, for in
dustrial plants.
Contemplated projects amounting to
$S3,593,000 were reported in August,
as against $56. 6.1O1 900 in July, which
gives promise of increased activity in
this district in the near future.
From January / to September 1 the
total amount of contemplated work