New-York tribune., 1922-01-16

Activity Shows
No Abatement
Heavy Demand for Building
Materials Brings About an
Upward Turn in Cost and
Cuts In on Reserve Stocks

Common brick and linsced oil show
price changes over the week end, ac-
cording to "Thc Dow Service Daily
Building Reports"
January price advances in tic build
ing material market have in the past
forctold general pricc-l ting tenden
cies. The last notable upward price
shifting cycle had its beginning in Jan
uary, 1915. 1t lasted until approxi-
matciy the middle Of 1920. being in full
action about four and one-half years.
1t preceded the price slump which is
apparently nearing bottom, or has al
ready turned upward.
If building material price trends
were still downward, it would be be-
cause building material requirements
were slack. So far the demand for
basic building materials is extremely
active, considering the season. IIud
son common brick in the week ended
January IS passed from the wholesale
market to actual building construction
jobs at the rate Of 5000 900, or twen-
ty-thrcc bargcs, in spite Of the snow
and difficult riding conditions, leaving
only 100000 bricl, still remaining in
the winter reserve stock, at the foot Of
West Fifty-second Street, or approx
mately twenty barges
I Brick Shipments Cut or
In the face OF such 2 demand. with
- l..
off from this city by icebound water
ways. manufacturers withdrew quota
tions Friday morning, where sl4 to S15
wholesale had been listed, pending
further instructions. Individual own
ers were quoting So fat for good
grades Of brick, although up to that
time Raritans had been selling below
the former level. (For delivered
prices add cost Of handling, haula&c
and 10 per cent?.
Brick, when it is not being purchas ed
for dealer stocks, is fairly safe baro-
meter Of the general building material
movement. There is no general dis
position at this time TO stock brick
Neither is there any general tendency
to "covcr" brick hargcs for late winter
market demand. Such a movement, il
it is forced by general building Na-
tcrial market demand. would dou otlcss
be reflected in other departments. such
as lumber, which, in certain lines. has
already turned upward.
Portland cement is in stronger
market on the current list quotations
to consumers. In other words there is
less price cutting among dealers, wi
seem to be closely following tne s.. sc
base. retail.
Linseed oil. an important Fundamental
in paints. advanced as Of January ., i
leading company now quoting lo cents
q gallon in lots of less than five bar
rels and 70 cents in lots Of five OF
more barrels.
This price advance follows notice
recently sent out by the same inter
ests, dated January 8. which read
Until June 80, should VIC reduce oul
prices below our present card, we vii
protect you against loss by reason Of
reduction on white lead in oil, dry
white lead and litharge in kegs, bought
on or after January .
Paint manufacturers begin to feel al
advance season demand for thcil
product owing to the great house erec-
tion activity and busy house repair
and renovation movement in anticip pa
ton Of the spring renting season.
Freight rate adjustments haze hac
some slight effect upon the price OF
building stone in this market. Struc
tural steel is being sold. apparently
with the idea Of filling the nav OF
hungry mills and attractive business
is sought at prices below the market.
Advances in Lumber
Advices from the wholesale lLmbel
department esta blsh the fact that the