New-York tribune., 1922-06-19
contractors
In Optimistic
Frame of Mind
Look TO Soundness Of Busi-
ness Conditions for the
Immediate Future; Big
Demand for Materials

Questionnaires sent 10 representa-
tive firms in the Eastern building con
struction industry brought answers 70
the Dow Service Daily Building Re.
ports that indicate general satisfaction
with the outlook for the remainder Of
1922. AZ least.
One hundred we're mailed and ninety
replies were received. To the first
question: What. in your opinion. is
the principal retardant 20 n free con
struction market" eighty-fve named
labor as the principal cause Three
attributed IL 20 both labor and high
cost Of materials. one TO shortage Of
money for commercial building pur-
poses and one 10 the uncertainty re-
gardng the markets requirements for
more building.
To the question: as demand below
or in excess Of production Of building
materials? ," seventy-two replies were
10 the effect that production is trying
TO keep pace with demand. which was
too spotty under present conditions Of
the market TO warrant general free
full-capacity production. Nine replied
to the effect that the only reason pro-
duction was not now exceeding demand
was because the fuel shortage pre-
vented full capacity production. Three
charged that production was being held
back 10 keep prices high in the face Of
growing demand. Six, on the other
hand. believed that there is going 20
be a reaction in demand, due 20 ad-
vancing prices OF commodities. result
ing in over-production, hence lower
prices, and that, therefore, demand
would soon fall below present rate Of
production.
Scarcity Of Skilled Labor
The third question: DO you look for
labor liquidation before 1922 brought
an almost unanimous negative reply.
Fifty-fve replies indicated belief IN
a continued scarcity Of skilled labor for
building construction work this year.
but with wage reductions next year.
Thirteen looked for continuous short
ace of labor and consequent nigh
wages until the ban on immigration IS
lifted. Eleven expressed the belief that
the "snowballing" tactics Of certain
kinds Of building labor was checking
Dull0lnR COUeNIhNNA'H EA'bAN|' "''N
would efectually blight it for next
year. Three looked for sharp redue-
tion in wages Of general building
trades labor this year, two looked for
higher wages in 1928 and six expected
long labor strikes and lock-outs be-
fore wages would be permanently low
cred 10 the 1918 scale.
Were il not for the coal shortage
there is no doubt that the replies
10 question No. I as 10 what the indus
try expected Of building material prices
would have emphatically prophesied
lower prices, because eighty-eight Of
the ninety replies received were quail
fled by the remark 10 the effect that
the fuel shortage would have an infu-
ence in keeping prices high in 1922.
The other two (from brick manufactur-
ers) looked fora lowering Of prices be-
fore the end Of the year
Registered demand. now fairly meas
urabie for the remainder Of 1922, is
sufficient TO prevent a general building
material price slump before the open
Inc Of the 1923 building season, accord
INC 10 the bulk Of the replies received.
some believed. however. that the peak
Of building material price ascension