The New York herald., 1920-12-27
BUILDING MATERIAL
PRICES HOLD FIRM
Few Reductions Result From
Falling Off in Demand;
Late Realty News.

Speculation is so rampant throughout
the building industry as to the practical
results of the sudden disruption of trade
alliances that in spite of the constant
diminishment of new projects basic
building material prices are either hold
ing firm or stiffening. according to the
current Dow Service Daily Building Re
ports.
or forty-two representative basic
items quoted in the local building ma
terial market twenty have dropped in
price, six have stood still and sixteen
have actually advanced in price since
July. The heaviest volume of price
reductions have taken place in lumber.
brick and cement. Steel prices have
dropped, but as compared with prices
ruling last July they are still marked
above the summer levels Cement. to
cite another example, at SS.4O barrel
delivered, is at the identical price that
X was in July, when 25 cent rebate
was made on empty bags.
Most of the basic lumber items have
held rigid during the recent reaction in
demand. The most conspicuous price
reductions have been in flooring. yell
low pine timber. for example, shows
drop OF only $3.50 a thousand feet
while 13-16X21s inch B and better sap
flooring has been marked off $3.50 in
the same period.
OF the sixteen items that show re-
ductions in prices since July, the hollow
tile, lime. neat wall cement and plaster
boards were brought down within the
last few days by reason OF the revival
of the free lghterage practices by the
railroads entering this harbor.
Non-UniOn Products Try to Enter.
Discontinuance of association prac-
tees, such as have been indicated within
the last fortnight, is having tighten
ing effect at sources of building material
supply. IF the process is carried to the
extreme where non-union products viii
be employed in building construction in
New York, manufacturers of certain
building commodities which have been
shut out of this market almost entirely
in past years are expected to make lib
eral price concessions. to gain foothold.
This possibility applies, however, more
TO equipment and trim than to basic
materials such as brick. lime plaster,
fireproofing material and lumber.
1t being heretofore profitable to ship
cement into New York only from within
limited areas. consumers may look for
another definite price drop in this COM
modify if as a result of any change in
market conditions manufacturers at dis
tant points beyond Zones l and should
decide to make n bid for New York's
1921 business.
Building material manufacturers are
watching for great opportunities in this
market If the trade situations undergo
such sweeping changes as have recently
been made apparent. Definite evidence
OF this is derived from current trade let
ters to sales managers and representa-
tives.
A prepared roofing company, in which
department sweeping price reductions
were recently heralded, sends out a let
ter stating: THE low point has been
reached Within the next sixty days
roofing and shingle prices must move
upward" IT proceeds to outline a poll
icy whereby it protects dealers against
any further decline in their own prices
Daniel IT, Jackson sold to an investing
client of Jacques PoilatschelI the four
five story new law apartment houses at
the northwest corner of 179th street and
southern Boulevard. known as SIT, S21,
S25 East 10th street. and 2.039 South
ern Boulevard. These houses rent for
$4,000 annually, and were held at
S220,090.
In the Dwelling Market.
SCHNEIDER & Liebler sold for George
J. vogt the dwelling 215 East Seventy
eighth street.
other Deals i'm Manhattan.
Crukshank Company sold for the Timp
.On Trust to Il client of Pease e Eli
man 136-13S Beekman street. two small
four story buildings, 37X25.9.
Henry Trenkman sold the property at
s. Enst Tenth streeL 70 Berringburg q