The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-03-21
STRAWS THAT SHOW
TREND OF BUILDING
Heavy Movement Of Materials
Presages an Active Year;
Late Realty News.

According TO the current Dow Seruice
Daily Building Reports, the movement
Of basic building materials during the
last two weeks eliminates all doubt as
in the first fifteen days of January this
year shipments Of cement out of the dis
trict supplying this market totalled
10000 barrels a day. The same num-
Der OF days in February saw shipments
OF $4,000 barrels, and in March $4,000
barrels a day
The movement in structural steel is
even better than IL was in 1913, which
IS more comparable than was March,
1920, for the same month. The records
az the Bridge Builders and Structural
Society, based on reports gathered by its
secretary. George K. Clifford. show that
during the month of February, 1921
$500 tons OF fabricated structural
steel were contracted for throughout the
United States. equivalent 10 IA per cent.
OF the entire capacity OF the bridge and
structural shops of the country. In the
same month. 1919. the total was 12h
per cent. with railroads fairly active in
the market. February Of last year re-
corded 95 per cent Of capacity taken,
however.
Common brick is passing out of re-
serve stocks rapidly and moving into
actual construction work. Labor diff
culties In the brick yards are expected
TO develop as producers attempt to
bring down manufacturing costs by
altering wage scales ruling last year,
which, with coal at premium prices,
forced brick quotations 10 excessive
levels. This prospect may interfere with
brick production, so that existing stocks
will not be rushed 10 this market early
this spring without pretty definite call.
There are about 200.0Oo.000 brick on
hand In manufacturers sheds for New
York requirements until July. This
quantity is far below normal reserve.
Lumber suitable for home building
has dropped so per cent. from the price
peak and is now only about 20 per cent.
above the pre-war delivery prices.
Sanitary tile manufacturers have turned
their producing power on full. Most or
the manufacturers now have orders on
their books that Will take care of plant
capacities for year or more and, ac-
cordng 10 n. T.. Loomis, secretary of
the Mosaic Tile Company, production In
this department will be increased 20
per cent. over that of last year. and even
than, he says, the demand now develop
ing will not be fully met. This view Is
supported by Emil Kohler. president of
the American Encaustic Tiling Company.
Ltd, who believes that the era OF habi-
tation building is already felt In his
industry and his factories are already
swamped with orders.
The window and plate glass depart
ments say that the change in the tenn
permanent of the building market has
been felt TO a noticeable degree within
the last few weeks. Plate glass prices
have been cut In half since last Novem-
Der.
The entire paint department is feeling
the impetus, although the volume OF
orders placed is below last years rec
ords SO far owing to the fact that ship
yard requirements have dropped 10
nothing and ordering by railroads is nil.
Practically the entire sustenance of the
paint market centres upon home build
ing and repair and multi-family housing
projects. which arc already sufficient in
small quantity volume 10 warrant man.
ufacturers assurances TO the trade that
there will be no more price reduction
this year.
The labor situation in the building
trades Is quiet. No agreements arc
pending and none expires for some time.
indicating that those starting con-
struction work this spring will be able
TO discount the factors OF strikes and
lockouts OF any consequence.
Small job n Boon to Labor.
An economic vacuum in the labor
market Is developing wherein certain
artisans will find themselves in idle
ness. This condition arises from the
heavy volume OF commercial construc-
ton work projected and entered into
late in the 1920 building season, which
is just now nearing completion. When
prices OF materials and labor reached
their peak last autumn new projects
Of the size and type now being COM
pleted were temporarily abandoned
Since prices have come down many OF
these projects are being revived.
The artisans released from these Jobs
would be facing long period OF unem-
ployment were II not for the fact that
quite Unexpectedly a turn came in the
building market a few weeks ago and
Is now quite general, calling for n great
quantity OF small building DEVELOPMENT
Toward these jobs artisans heretofore
employed only on large commercial or
apartment projects are looking for FuS-
tenance during the next few months
or until the commercial or big work
projects again bid for their services.
other Deals In Manhattan.
Alexander Selkin, David Mintz and
Louis Epstein sold for Harlan Construc-
ton Company the Monte CrIsto apart-
ments at the northeast corner OF Sew
enth avenue and 123d street. n seyen
story with stores, 60xt05, held at $685.
600
Frank l.. Fisher Company sold for
the Purchase Holding Company the
dwelling at 1917 Park avenue. az the
corner or Ninety-ifth street a four story !
house. 2O.sx6s, TO DR.. Henry H. NJ Lyle. |
Benson Construction Company sold
The six story store. office and flat at
the northwest corner Of Delaney and
orchard streets TO Sophia Rosner Morris
Rose. president OF the corporation. nego-
uated the transaction. Moses ". Schlei- |
der was attorney.
N. A. Berwin & Co, Inc, sold for
Halsey 4 Flint 20 T. L. Herman the
altered building at 81 East sixtieth
street
Carl NJ. Wallath estate sold 80 Clinton |
street, five and "a half story flat and |
stores building near Delaney street |
Sidney Walath and NJ NJ Drysoos |
executors OF the estate, arranged the
deal.
Froman & Taubert sold for Feard- /
nand Hecne 43s East Elghty-sevcnth
street. three story and basement two
family house 2OytOOgi ~ ~ lfa,r,,