The Washington herald., 1921-12-18
PRICE OF BRICK ON
WHOLESOME BASIS
Larger Production Lowers
Quotations; Healthy Out
look Seen.

The upward tendency in the con-
struction industry which has been
reflected in reports for the last
two months stands out strongly in
the current issue OF the Digest
on conditions in the brick in
dustry. published by the Common
Brick Manufacturers Association of
America. In the Digest of August
and September an improvement
was apparent in the relation of
orders on the books to stocks on
hand. 1t was halso 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 stiffen-
ing OF demand would show itself
in an equalization of prices. While
the composite price drawn from the
current reports stands almost ex-
actly as it was a month ago, being
$3.50, as against 1887 on Sep
TENDER l. the variation between the
highest price and the lowest price
is less than il was a month ago.
In some sections where overcompe-
titton had driven the price below
cost OF manufacture, there are
found advances in the price due to
the better demand for brick. In
other sections, where the price was
based upon fractional production
which always sends up the unit
price, there Is lowering of the
Quotation, due to a larger produc-
ton from the plants. Altogether
the price quotations in this issue
are on a much more busness-like
and wholesome basis.
There is yet practically no relief
in freight rates, and until the rate
upon brick is reduced. many large
building centers which receive
their supply by rail will continue
to pay on the job a price that is
too long on the transportation side.
In Ohio reduction in the rate on
paying brick Is already in effect
and the Public Utilities Commits
sion has promised that like reduc-
tons will be effective on building
brick.
A few months ago the producers
OF heavy building materials stood
almost alone in their contention
that exorbitant freight rates were
blocking building operations. Rail-
road officials denied It; the Inter-
state Commerce Commission show
ed no sympathy with the clay in
dustry: but today there is general
recognition of the fact and such
widespread discussion of high
freight rates that II is believed
some relief must surely come soon.
The unemployment conference in
put emphasis upon the
fact that high freight rates pro-
hibit the shipment of heavy ma
terials in many localities, holding
up building and contributing to un-
Sharing interest with the threat
ened railroad strike on the front
page of all the newspapers has
been the subject OF high freight
rates. 1t may be expected that
when the glare of publicity is
turned on any evil as It now is
upon this one II cannot long exist.
The brick manufacturer may take
encouragement from
he fact that the whole country is
at last sgitatlng the. subject of
freight rates. To the brick manu-
facturer the freight rate has a
double bearing. 1t puts an ex-
,essive cost upon his fuel supply
rs well as an excessive rate upon
he delivery Of his finished prod
let The reduction of freight rates
will almost Immediately be reflect
ID in the price Of brick delivered
IN the job.
The coming OF winter, which re-
suits in the closing Of many plants
the colder climates, will find
smaller stock Of building brick
IN hand than has been recorded
n many years. II the general
pickup in Industrial conditions CON-
-inues the brick men will ind
themselves pressed to take care of
ne demand when the spring season
opens. The chance that fuel NAV
'ost less and possible reduction
n some other elements of manu-
acture will tend to deter those
who might operate
turing the winter from piline un
.tocks against the spring demand.
'ractically every manufacturer of
'riek was caught in the early part
" this year with stocks that were
Produced at the highest cost known
o the Industry. and with a de-
lining market were forced to sell