Evening star., 1920-02-14

reported for last summer and Decem-
reports are not yet compiled, but the
percentage is likely to be record
breaking for this time Of the year, and
February. although temporarily handi-
capped in deliveries by the weather,
doubtless will head the list for activity.
Unusual Activity Revealed.
Current reports of new building
work starting reveal unusual activity.
There has been tendency to take bids
the work pending decision on the part
of the owner regarding the flow of
prices. 1t is dangerous now to defer
projected buildings. because delivery
and manufacturing conditions have
heretofore affected prices. Orders
have been booked for building mate
rails and supplies at almost any price
10 get them placed, in the general be-
lief that the consumer will be willing
TO pay, but the day dawned several
months ago when the prospective
builder made it evident that he could
not and would not pay price beyond
the bounds of good business policy.
merely to proceed with building plans.
Hence the heavy withdrawal of new
building and alteration projects in Oc-
tober, November, December and al
most all of January.
Today the condition is wholly diff
ferent. Here is the actual quotation
Of a certain building material manu-
facturer. in a letter sent to all his
customers, dated January 81. the firm
being among the largest of it's kind
doing a national business.
present prices are entirely too
high. We advise. for the present,
against purchasing products unless
required for immediate use in actual
construction work. Don't try to cover
rirnvr
sure TO come down if the trade will
heed this note of warning. The time
has arrived to apply the brakes
See Danger Of High Prices.
Various building material associa-
fions are circularizing their trades re-
garding the danger line Of building
material price imitation. The Ian
Euage of some of these trade letters
say that with the 1920 building season
barely month away the trade is al
ready in the danger zone, unless price
imitation can be stopped. Other letters
point out the fact that. while there
IS generous amount of vitally neces-
sary construction work in project that
VIII go ahead regardless of cost, the
record-breaking potential construc-
ton market that would ing prosper
ity for half a decade OF more can be
narrowed down to fitful construc
ton era for year or eighteen
months. wherein a few big contractors
and building material supply firms
would flourish. while the general
building material and contractural in
dustry would not be as well off as
they are today. which is only Slightly
removed from the stress of war time.
The broadest sentiment in the east
ern construction market today is pro-
nouncedly against any Limitation to
the building market of the future and
for the first time in more than a gem
Grafton there is unanimity of
thought in the building industry that
seeks to create a market for the
greatest good for the greatest num-
her rather than to foster the sort of
market that will pander only to one
certain trade or interest or industry.
The underlying thought in the east
ern building industry today is that
there easily can be sufficient business
for every one for the best part of ten
Years if trade temptations can be
foregone during the remainder of the
readJustment period, such as corner
ing of supply, stampeding prices.
boarding against demand, curtailment I
of production and sub batting. 1t
is toward this point the building in
dustry is being drawn by dominant
leaders, and it has the Endorsement of
1lnanciers. owners. architects con-
tractors. sGbcontractors and the best
balanced manufacturers.
some Changes in Prices.
There are some price changes cur
rent in the market this week. Win
COW glass discounts have shrunk an
other point. There is increase in
the price of expanded metal lath.
probably rejecting the dearth of wood
lath and official listings are made in
The current price bulletin of the new
prices of hollow tile. which have been
in effect nominally in this market
for some time. These new quotations.
reported for the first time officially
this week. will cover this fireproofinS
material until April 30 when. If con-
Slitiopsaxacrant itrreac tion-maY occur