The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-24
FREIGHT RATES
STILL HOLD Up
bU|LD|NCPLANS
Brick Manufacturers Digest
Shows How Construction
Is Affected.

The upward tendency I'm the con-
struction industry which has been re-
Elected in reports for the last two
months stands out strongly in the
current issue OF the digest on condi-
tons in the brick industry published
by the Common Brick Manufacturers
Association of America. In the Digest
Of August and September an improve
ment was apparent in the relation of
orders on the books to stocks on hand.
II was also expressed in the report OF
the manufacturers as to outlook for
the future. This month the tendency
has had its effect upon the price OF
brick.
1t was predicted that a stiffening of
demand would show itself in an
equalization OF prices. While the
composite price drawn from the cur.
rent reports stands almost exactly as
II was a month ago, being $3.50, as
against S13.S7 on September i, the
variation between the highest price
and the lowest price is less than 1t
was a month ago. In some sections,
where overcompetition had driven the
price below cost of manufacture, there
are found advances in the price due
to the better demand for brick. Al
together the price quotations in this
issue are on much more business
like and wholesome basis.
There is yet virtually no relief in
freight rates, and until the rate upon
brick is reduced many large build
ing centers which receive their sup
ply by rail will continue to pay on
the job a price that Is too long on
the transportation side. In Ohio a
reduction in the rate on paving brick
Is already in effect and the Public
Utilities Commission has promised
that like reductions will be effective
on building brick.
A few months ago the producers OF
heavy building materials stood al
most alone i'm their contention that
exorbitant freight rates were block
ing building operations. Railroad
officials denied II; the Interstate
Commerce Commission showed no
sympathy with the clay industry;
but today there is general recogni-
ton of the fact and such wide
spread discussion of high freight
rates that 1t is believed some relief
must surely come soon. sThe unem-
ployment conference in washington
put emphasis upon the fact that high
freight rates prohibit the shipment
OF heaNy materials III many ioSoheSS'
holding up building and contributing
to unemployment. -,
The reduction of freight rates Will
almost Immediately be reflected In
the price of brick delivered on the
Job.
The coming of winter, which results
in the closing of many plants In the
colder climates, will find a smaller
stock of building brick on hand than
has been recorded in many years. III
the general pickup in Industrial con.
ditions continues the brSck men Will
find themselves pressed to take care
of the demand when the spring gen
son opens. The chance that fuel may
cost less and a possible reduction In
some other elements of manufacture
will tend to deter those manufacturers
who might operate during the winter
from piling up stocks against the
spring demand. Practically every
manufacturer of brick was caught in
the early part of this year with stocks
that were produced at the highest cost
known to the industry, and with a ue-
clining market were forced to sell
them at a loss.