The New York herald., 1921-02-21
SIGNS IN BUILDING
FIELD ARE CHEERING
Labor Conciliatory, Prices
Down to Bedrock, Reports
Say: Late Realty News.

Various symbols in the construction
material market show that the change
that has been felt in the building in
dustry since February l has the ele-
ments of progressive development. ac-
cording to the current Dow Service
Daily Building Reports.
Common brick sales compare favor
ably with previous years records. TAX
ing barge movements passing out of
wholesale market into dealers hands IN
normal and recent years the total for
this year is significant in view of the
recent tightness OF building money.
Cement production for last year was
100, 302, 900 barrels. This is greater than
ever before recorded for this industry
in America. Shipments for the country
were 96. 900 barrels, valued at $685.
$4,000. compared with S0.769,31S barrels
manufactured and $685. ,6l6 barrels
shipped and valued at $li6,656,0I6 in 1919.
These totals represent a q per cent.
gain in production in 1920 10 per cent.
gain in shipments and 3l.9 per cent. IN
value of shipments. The stock of fin
ished cement increased from 5.s52.40
barrels at the end of 1919 10 about
S.290.0oo barrels at the end of 1920. or
approximately Al per cent. The average
factory price i'm bulk at mills for the
whole country was $2.0l barrel in 1870
as compared with Sill in 1919. an in
crease of l75 per cent. These are ad
vance figures supplied by Ernest +.
Burchard of the United States Geoloei-
cal Survey, Department of the Interior.
Glass Upset by Foreign supply.
Current reports in the cement depart
ment of the building material market
indicate that one company is contract
In for e -ftVa tNr = rlaNsNN ha
year. In the West another company is
asking 10 cents a barrel more for de-
liveries extending beyond April |. while
other companies are asking cents a
barrel more. which is giving rise in the
market to the impression that in View
of the low supply on hand present price
levels may not be long sustained.
Glass is beginning TO show some signs
o. Improvement. This department has
been upset by the influx of foreign
glass. American manufacturing condi-
tions have not changed. however. Labor
costs are Just as high Cost of raw
material has only been slightly reduced.
AS labor costs run more than so per
cent of the cost of finished product
manufacturers give little hope for fur
ther curtailment in window glass prices
unless price war is forced upon them
by the increasing flow of foreign glass
Gravel. grit, sand. crushed stone and
all concrete ingredients have held rigid
ly on price practically all winter. but
the market is expecting a spring re-
action rejecting the lowering cost of
fuel
Hollow tile and all fireproofing prod
ucts have dropped in price so that they
are being offered at a margin so close
to cost as 10 preclude much hope for
furtfbr reduction. The inquiry has
improved. manufacturers say. within
the last ten days. but the market is
still spotty.
Iron and steel are generally conceded
to be az their extreme low level as TO
price Independent prices are in some
cases below the corporation price. with
the latter holding firm.
Labor is sharing the conciliatory
policy of material distributors. Iron
workers have gone back TO work at
rates lower than they asked for. In
Newark the demands for higher wages
were finally waived. Local rockmen.
drill runners and tool sharpeners have
expressed willingness. according TO
the Contractors Protective Association.
to work for $3.50 instead of IS day
for unskiled labor. s6.25 instead of s.
for rockmen and $50 instead of IS for
drill runners. blacksmiths and tool
sharpeners in the trade. These rates
will continue for the remainder of the
wear unless conditions warrant reestab-
nshment OF the old rates.
Demand for Lime Is Excessive.
Although only = TO III per cent. of the
cost of the entire average building is
represented by lime this commodity is
getting ready for a big buying move
ment The only question is where the
market will develop. Paper. leather,
agricult,se and other industries have
become such large users Of lime that
Il is a question as to whether there
Will not be a return of upset delivery
schedules for those who do not get
their orders in early this year. Lime
companies are taking business as lib
erally as offered from whatever section
IL comes. and most Of the inquiry Il
ccming from sections outside OF the
rnetropolitan district. New England,
for instance. may soon have the lions $
share of the New York district lime
output for the first half Of the year
n The proportion Of incoming orders
keeps up. ,.
Lumber prices are about through
dropping. The market looks Tor price
strengthening after June.
Money Is easier to obtain now tnat
building materials have shown drop
~ 40 6 per cent. since last October and
-. ,racffraiiv AT 1919 spring