The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-05
Construction Shows Marked
Slump in Kansas This Week. s..
Topeka Still Stands High, Tho;
Cooper Says.
CITY HEADED FOR BIG BOOM
Houses Should Spring Up Here
in Next Two Years.
Tightening of Money Market Is
Factor in Slump.

While Topeka is still well situated
with a large amount of building and
construction going on, the slump this
week in amount OF new construction
is more marked than it has been for
some time. according to Fred 3.
Cooper, editor of Construction News.
Reports from Oklahoma and Kan
sas indicate the postponement of a
great deal of contemplated construc-
ton and shows a decided dearth of new
projects. The consensus of opinion.
given as the reason for postponed con-
struction, is a belief in the general i'm
preston that there is at present a de-
preston visible in the nations bust
ness that presages an era of declining
costs. Men are not undertaking
projects, unless absolutely necessary.
until they are assured of more stable
market conditions in the next year
or SO.
Sees No Cost Decline.
Cooper does not believe that costs
in the building and construction line
are going to decline rapidly in the
near future. He declares no decline
has appeared at this time.
The most apparent decline is in res
idential construction, Cooper says.
Some large. expensive homes are being
erected by wealthy men, but the build
ing of small or medium sized homes TO
be occupied by persons OF average IN
come-the great bulk OF the nation
is practically at complete standstill.
Mr.. Average Man declines to pay a
premium of double the normal cost of
several years ago to erect home now
that may in several years decline in
value until it approaches the value or
the period prior to the present one or
abnormal cost. he indicates.
Are Not Specializing.
81 Il
by investors for speculation or income
purposes; the cost is prohibitive, and
future income on them as investments
commensurate with the original cost
is too uncertain. it is declared.
In commenting on the situation in
Toneka, the Construction News editor
says the amount of construction now
under way in Topeka is furnishing
considerable activity to the members
of the various related trades and bust
nesses. This work will last for some
time. More work is under way al
kansas city. Reports indicate that
less is being done now at Wichita than
at any time in its history.
The present amount of work on
hand should tide over a considerable
period of depression. Practically no
work now under way in Topeka Is APP
to be discontinued to await changed
conditions.
Future Appears Rosy.
The forecast for the future is very
attractive. 1t appears evident To
peka is headed for big building boon
as soon as the market becomes more
stable, or when it has begun &c
approach what IS referred to ms
normal. Cooper says there is great
deal OF business building construction
that is being held up waiting for the
expected decline in costs. With the re-
turn of building costs to something
like normal, all this will be turned
loose.
The stringent shortage of houses in
Topeka is regarded as sufficient indi-
cation that the growth in number OF
houses in Topeka has not kept pace
with the growth in population. Resi-
Dental const -uction has amounted to
very little among the building trades in
Topeka for a number of years. The
future should witness a marked in
crease in this kind of building within
the next year or two.
Close Money Factor.
The tightening up OF the money
market has acted as a deterrent factor
to construction, it is said, and is be-
ginning to be felt in large real estate
transactions. It is not nearly so easy
to obtain money now as it was a few
months ago.
Taking into consid Grafton the pres
ent work being done and the prospects
for increasig activity in building oil
! both business homes and private resi-
dences. builders and contractors are Of
the opinion that Topeka is in about a:
good condition as any city within q
radius of several hun tired miles.
/