The Washington times., 1922-08-05
BRICK INDUSTRY
SLOWING UP DUE
To COAL STRIKE
Fuel Supplies at Many Ovens
Being Exhausted-5ulId-
ing Is Retarded.

After sailing fairly smooth seas
since the beginning OF the year,
the brick industry Is now heading
into breakers. This is common with
the experience Of all industries due
to the coal and railroad situation.
The coal strike was SO well ad.
vertised in advance that it's actual
occurrence found the brick men well
stocked with fuel. 1t was believed
that the supply would outlast the
strike. but the current months re-
ports indicate that In many sections
the manufacturers are at the end
their supply. With production
ricted for lack Of fuel and manu-
turing costs greatly increased on
account of advance in prices Of coal.
still brick prices show practically
no change during the past month.
Big brick producers in Ohio that
have contracts with the mines at
So so per ton, which means about
$500 to S5.25 delivered at the plant,
are unable to get sufficient coal
upon their contracts. When they
90 into the local market to buy
they are forced to pay $3.50 at the
mine or from $1,000 to $lo.50 de
llivered at their plants. This makes
difference in the actual cost OF
manufacturing brick Of from $3.50
to S400 per thousand, according to
processes used. This situation Is
typical in many States.
While several manufacturers re-
port restriction of production and
Increased cost due to the coal situa-
ton, only one plant is actually
closed down for lack OF fuel. This
plant IL located in Illinois.
On the face Of the reports from
members, the production and ship
ment OF brick shows an increase
over the preceding month. The
ninety-five companies reporting
produced last month 1O6,F5'ooO
brick and shipped from their yards
115.3 900. The orders on the books
are far in excess of both burned
and green brick on hand as Is
shown by the table below. II viii
| he noted also that this condition
of orders In excess OF stock-applies
TO all the Eastern and Middle
western districts The reversed
condition Is found only In the South
and far West.
production. the selling price OF prlck
held steady during the past month
with only slight raises In one or Two
points, while the cost OF Jumper, iniii
work. and Of labor has shown
con siderable advance. Clay products
have not vet reflected the new con-
dition. rL
In under way In nearly all sections
of the country. Notable exceptiohs
are in the AGRICULTURAL States Just
vest of the Mississippi. That the
nresent volume Of building viii con-
tinue under the advancing prices Is
nuestIoned. Already in Chicago,
cleveland and other Central ana
Western cities there is a slowing up
of new Jobs. Contractors VINO
started ambitious programs In the
early season and protected tnen-
selves on materials will carry out
contracts as far as the cheap
materials will last, but they hesitate
entering into new contracts AT 'he
higher levels. -
ceiving a pay far above union scass ~.
efficiency of skilled labor Is not as
high as IL was earlier in the season.
The market for building has by no
means. been satisfied and IL ooth
material and labor will keep ther
feet on the ground and will be
rea asonable, there Is every lnulca-
ton that building will not only con-
tinue, but will Increase in volume.
For the first time In more than
year brick manufacturers are re-
porting a shortage Of skilled labor.
Out of ninety.five concerns re-
porting, fittyfour view the outlook s
As good: twenty-nine as fair, and
only one looks for bad conditions
These opinions reflect the immediate
fiture