The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
BUYERS STRIKE HITS
BUILDING ACTIVITY
Approach Of Winter Also
Causes Further Drop in Oper-
atoms During November.

field, combined with the usual tnedency
to slacken up on building operations
with the approach OF winter. resulted
in a further decline in building activity
in November. according TO statistics
compiled by the f. w. Dodge Company.
Contracts awarded during November
in the twenty-five northeastern states
OF the country amounted to $130,191, 900,
compared with $177.791.0 900 in october.
However, the money value of contracts
awarded during the first eleven months
of this year has amounted to 5 per cent.
more than the figure for the first eleven
months of last year.
Projected work reported in November
was more than double the amount of
contracts awarded. Projected work re-
ported during the first eleven months of
this year has amounted to four and one
half billions of dollars. as compared
with about two and one-half billions
for contracts awarded. Prices of build
ing materials and wages of building
labor have shown slight declines. but
are not susceptible of the marked de-.
clines that have occurred in other COM
modities. In fact, there is no reason to
believe that building prices and wages
are very nearly stabilized. New methods
of financing housing developments are
being worked out.
1t appears that. in view of the known
demand for building. the present slump,
though of serious magnitude, is of a tenn
porary nature and that increased ac-
tivity should develop after the opening
of the new year.
November building contracts in the
New England States amounted to s1S,-
$4,000, an increase of 4 per cent. over
tl.an fRFl Lott HlnA
Der figures show the following items
Public works and utilities amounting
to $6,37S.o00. or "a per cent. of the
total residential buildings amounting to
$3,981. 900. or ! per cent. of the total; in
dustrial buildings amounting to 1881
600, or 1.9 per cent of the total: and
business buildings amounting to $240S.-
600, or 13 per cent. of the total Con-
struction in this district has been more
active this year than last year. Con-
tracts awarded during the first eleven
months of 1920 have amounted to $685.
$4,000, as against 1907. 100000 for the
first eleven months Of 1919. Projected
work reported from January / to De-
cember |, 1920. has been over 5000. 000.-
600 in excess of contracts awarded, in
dicating a large amount of deferred
construction.
New York and Upper New Jersey.
In New York State and Northern New
Jersey building contracts for November
amounted to $29.514,000. a decline of
twenty millions from the October figure.
The November total included $10,56S 900
or 36 per cent. for residential buildings
6,039,000 or 20 per cent, for Industrial
buildings s4,573.000, or 16 per cent, for
public works and utilities, and $3,653,-
900, or IL per cent. for business build
ings. Contracts awarded during the first
eleven months of 1920 have amounted 10
1919 900, 900, as compared with S496,-
600. 900 for the same period of last year.
Projected work reported during the FIRST
eleven months of 1920 has been $685.
600, 900 in excess of contracts awarded
November building contracts IN East
ern Pennsylvania. Southern New Jersey,
Delaware. Maryland. the District of CO.
lumbia and Virginia amounted TO Si2.-
I'll, 1000, about two millions less than the
October figure. The November total in
oluded S3,115.000, or "a per cent. for
residential buildings; $2,807 900, or %
per cent, for business buildings. and
$1,729,00O or IA per cent, for public
works and utilities. Projected work re-
ported In the month of November was
nearly three times the amount Of CO..
tracts awarded. Projected work reported
during the first eleven months OF this
year amounts to nearly two and one
half times the figure for contracts
awarded in the same period, indicating a
vast amount of work in allegiance.
November building contracts in west
ern Pennsylvania. West Virginia, Ohio
Kentucky and Tennessee amounted tc
S1S,261 900, about half the October
figure. The November total included
$6,797. 00o or 81 per cent, for residential
buildings $4.07S,0 900, or % per cent, fol-
public works and utilities; $3.406,000, oil
10 per cent. for industrial buildings and
$2,321,000, or 13 per cent. for business
buildings. Contracts awarded during the
first eleven months of the year have
been greater in value by IL per cent
than the hSures for the same period OF
1919. Projected work reported from Jan
uary / to December /, 1920, has beer
$3.50, 100000 in excess of contracts
awarded.
Reports From Central West.
Building contracts let during Novem.
Der in the central West (compris-
ing Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin
eastern Kansas and Nebraska
amounted to S47,977,OOo. a decline OF
6 per cent. from the October figure
The November total included the fol-
lowing items: $1S.266.000. or 3S per
cent, for industrial buildings $8,745, 600
or IS per cent, for business buildings
and $7,113, 900, or Is per cent, for resi-
Dental buildings. Projected work re-
ported during the first eleven months OF
this year has amounted TO $1.65l ,OO0, 900,
compared with s76s. 100000 for contracts
let in the same period. indicating a large
amount of work in allegiance. From pres
ent indications this district should show
a resumption of activity early in 1921
November building contracts in Min
nesota and North and South Dakota
amounted to S3,039, 900. or less than half
the October figure The November total
included SS76,000. or 20 per cent. for
social and recreational projects; $685.
900, of 10 per cent. for residential build
ings. and s53S,000. or IS per cent. for
public works and utilities Contracts
awarded during the first eleven months
of 1920 have amounted In value to 81
per cent. more than the figure for the
first eleven months OF 1919. Projected
work reported from January 1 to Deem
Der /. 1920, has amounted to nearly
double the contracts awarded in the
same period. It rs expected that build
ing activity will be resumed early in the