New-York tribune., 1921-01-09
Figures Show
House Shortage
Growing Worse !
Actual Amount of Building
for This Time Less Than
Il Year Ago, According
to the Latest Statistics
Large Cities Overcrowd ded
Every One Should Lend
Suppor, to Bring About
Relief. Asserts Banker

htlltI- A~StFtS Dut1kcr
AS we advance into the new year
It 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 hous-
ing situation.' says 5. W. Straus.
From the most reliable statistics OBJ
tainable st this time the actual amount
OF building accommodations through
out the country are considerably less
than they We're year ago. While the
figures indicate an increased cost of
new building contracts awarded dur
ing the year 1920 OF about 5 per cent
as compared with 1919, this was more
shan discounted by the added cost of
building construction and the loss OF
available space through fires and de-
.erioration. In brief, the country is
gong backward in its housing equip
ment.
"Overcrowding in the large cities has
reached such a serious state that health
authorities are sounding an a arm
These unwholesome conditions also de-
velop social unrest and lawlessness. and
1t Is apparent that every possible
agency should lend itself to the work
OF helping IN the practical solution Of
TINS grave problem.
1t is to be hoped that large bui d.
ing movement will start this spring
ana summer, but no one can tell what
developments may arise meanwhile
Lack of price sterilization has been
one OF the chief causes of the slowing
up OF construction work since the ar
mlstlce. Vast amounts Of building
projects have been held back because of
the feeling that building costs would
recede later However. experience has
shown that those who waited have
gained nothing, viii q those who went
ahead with their plans have no cause
sor regret: Daring the last year the
'"lce as much as the amount OF actual
operations.
Future Uncertainties
The uncertainty as to future price
tencencies constitutes one Of the most
unIavorable factors in the situation
today
The feel ng is being fostered bv the
stump in prices IN many commodities.
- should be borne III mind, however.
That cond tons INCORPORATED in the
general rance Of commodities aud those
IN the housing situat on are MT aualo-
gous. The processes of liquidation
such as we have witnessed lately with
regard 10 general merchandise cannot
include tAe building commodity Mer-
chants can move the stocks Of mer-
chandise from their shelves by cutt ng
prices and there always is more or
,esS huctuation in tfesc lines Hous-
'ng space. however, is generally leased
on basis OF one year or more l}ur-
'ng periods Of retrenchment such as
re have witnessed in this countr, dur
ing the last months, housing, there
fore is affected less than any other
COM loditv People can quickly adjust
themselves to economies in clothing,
food and other requirements o. their
daily lives, while business concerns can
reduce quickly operat NC costs by put
ting into effect general economies But
in neither instance is it generally pos
sible or advisable t curtail eXpendi-
tures for housing space.
In short. the conditions W ich cause
fuctu.at on in the prices OF general
con'modlt IS dc not directlv or greatly
affect the nrices being paid for hous-
ZIG communications. and while sub
An-lslls al ther commodities have
iiuctuated since the pre-war period
construction costs and income from
proporty have shown steady upward
tendency.
No Benefit III Delay
Some Of tHe abnormal pr ces and
bonuses which have ex s.cd in CON
struction business will not continue to
be paid, but general fundamental con
di.iors At this time 10 not indicate
that thcre is wisdom in W tnholding
bu ding operations.
The basic infuerces which may be
expected to exert their force againSt
lower building costs may be summar-
ized as follows:
"UnDrecedcntod demand throughout