The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1921-04-14
HOUSE SHORTAGE
GROWING WORSE
Latest Statistics Show Amount
of Building So Far This Year
Less Than Year Ago.
LARGE CITIES OvERCROWDED
Lack of Price Stabilization One OF the
Chief Causes of Slowing Up OF
Construction Work - Little
Hope for Drop In Pricea

New York.--"As we advance INTO
the new year 1t becomes constantly
more apparent that no problem is in
more urgent need of an early and wise
solution than that which is involved
In the nations housing situation" says
s. w. Straus.
From the most reliable statistics OBJ
tainable at this time the actual amount
of building accommodations through
out the country are considerably less
than they were year ago. While the
figures indicate an increased cost OF
new building contracts awarded dur
ing the year 1920 Of about 8 per cent.
as compared with 1919. this was more
than discounted by the added cost Of
building construction and the loss Of
available space through fires and de-
terioration. In brief, the country Is
going backward in Its housing equip
ment.
"Overcrowding in the large cities
has reached such a serious state that
health authorities are sounding an
alarm. These unwholesome conditions
also develop social unrest and lawless-
ness, and II Is apparent that every
possible agency should lend itself to
the work of helping in the practical
solution of this grave problem.
Building Projects Held Back.
at is to be hoped that large build
ing movement will start this spring
and summer, but no one can tell what
developments may arise meanwhile.
Lack of price stabilizat'nn has been
one of the chief causes of the slowing
up of construction wor'i since the ar
mistice. Vast amounts of building
projects have been cd back because
of the feeling that building costs would
recede later However. experience
has shown that - sc who waited have
gained nothing. while those who went
ahead with THAR plans have no cause
for regret. During the last year the
amount of wo.k projected was about
twice as much as the amount of actual
operations.
1.-The uncertainty as to future price
tendencies constitutes one Of the most
unfavorable factors in the situation
today.
"The feeling Is being fostered by the
slump In prices In many commodities.
It should be borne In mind, however,
that conditions incorporated in the
general range of commodities and
those in the housing situation are not
analogous. The processes of llquiGa-
ton such as we have witnessed lately
with regard to general merchandise
cannot include the building commOd-
ity. Merchants can move their stocks
of merchandise from their shelves
by cutting prices. and there always is
more or less fuctuation in these lines.
Housing space, however. is generally
leased on basis of one year or more.
During periods of retrenchment, such
as we have witnessed In this country
during the last six months, housing,
therefore, is affected less than any
other commodity. People can quickly
adjust themselves to economies In
clothing, food and other requirements
Of their daily lives. while business con-
Germs can reduce quickly operating
costs by putting into effect general
economies. But in neither instance
Is it generally possible or advisable
to curtail expenditures for housing
space.
No Benefit In Delay.
"Some Of the abnormal prices and
bonuses which have existed In the con.
struction business will not continue to
be paid, but general fundamental con.
ditions at this time do not Indicate
that there is wisdom In Withholding
building operations.
1.-THE basic influences which may be
expected to exert their force against
lower building costs may be summar'
ICED as follows:
Unprecedented demand throughout
the country for housing facilities OF
all kinds.
Shortage of highly paid skilled
laborers In many Of the essential
building trades.
Tremendous increases In business
with a corresponding increase In nee
essary building equipment, after the
present period Of readjustment and
liquidation.
General tendency toward readjust'
ment to higher levels Of income from
property.
Export demand for American build
ing materials as conditions improve
| abroad.
"insistence of public on constantly
improved standards Of living, with cor
responding demand for more costly
equipment"
| City 1uIlds $3.50 600 Hotel.