The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-12-02
Nearly Every County in State
Ha. Shortage of Homes,
Reports Show
ROAD IMPROVEMENT y
- WORK WILL CONTINUE
Farm Buildings to Be Delayed
Until Prices Will Allow
Farmers to Buy

=,
' st. Paul, Dec. 2.-Thousands Of
homes, stores, warehouses and apart
ment buildings are needed in several
hundred Minnesota cities, towns and
villages but their construction in
1921 depends to a vital extent upon
the cost of labor and materials, and
the availability Of money judging
from authoritative reports received
during the past week from bankers
in every section OF the state, for the
weekly review of Minnesota enter
prise, prepared by The Merchants Ma
tional Bank Of Saint Paul.
Less than two per cent Of the bank
ers heard from declared that housing
resources. in their city and section
were adequate. Less than five per
cent tof the bankers forecast extern
sire building operations without adj
ding a qualifying phrase.
:: Irregular reports were received re-
garding the cement situation. Short
d0c cAl0S0 III oOuAC NOuACASos Ia oIA
er sections cement is as abundant as
stored grain, Similar reports were
received regarding public building
projects. Extensive work may be
done in some counties and cities. In
others, no projects have been propos-
ed. ~ .
II is noticeable, however, that near
~ every county expects to do consid-
Gerabie road improvement work.
] A number OF bankers commented
quite freely and frankly upon condi-
lions "a their districts. Millions of
dollars, worth Of farm building will
be delayed until the farmers. have
funds Or credit, and are able to haye
the work done at pre-war prices. 1t
was stated, also, that several boards
of county commissioners intend to
consider spring prices before taking
action upon possible building con-
tracts.
= Data obtained from leading deal
ers IN building materials show that
prices have been declining. Lumber
has dropped sharply and further de-
clines are forecast. Wholesale and
retail lumbermen believe there will
be adequate supplies to meet the state
wide demand in the spring and sum-
mer. !
The money situation will determine
the amount of building in Mahnomen
and vicinity. Mahnomen banker
forecasts. Estimates for road work
are being obtained. There still is
cement shortage. Nicollet county
citizens want to build but will wait
until prices are lower, a banker said.
There is a shortage of houses in St.
Peter. Not much public building is
forecast. Road building will be press
ed aggresSively. The cement shortage
has been relieved The home short
age in Polk county is not serious and
building possibilities for 1920 are
not considered regarded as extensive.
The county will spend 100000 ON
roads. Demand for cement has fall
en- off.
= An optimistic report received from
a St. Cloud banker, said regarding
Stearns county: building prospects
are quite good. Less than usual has
been done this year, largely on &C
count of difficulty in obtaining ma
terial, and high cost Of labor. There
IN a home shortage. Increased build
ing probable. New court house, being
erected, will cost nearly $1,000 600.
completing 275 room hotel at st.
Cloud, as we'll as large theatre,
knights Of Columbus. building and a
pulp mill on the Mississippi. Clothing
and drygoods merchants made large
reductions in seasonable goods, thus
securing a large business from local
and outside buyers. Mild weather at
fected trade unfavorably." Consider
able construction work is planned
for Moose Lake and Carlton county,
swept BY. fire two years ago. There
was very little rebuilding this yea:
hut the schools have been rebuilt.
The 1921 road program has not been
decided upon.
Considerable building Is forecast
Tor Cass county. where homes are
needed. School, to cost $125.000, be-
ing built at Pine River. Road work
viii be heavy. Only high prices for
materials can halt the 1921 building
program. Anoka county's building
program depends upon labor and ma
terial prices. Road building for 1921
has not been planned. Two st. Louis
county bankers agree many houses
are needed and that many will he
built II materials continue to drop.
More school building is planned in
Duluth. Considerable was done this
year. Road building will be heavy.
A road is being built between Duluth
and thu iron Range