Evening star., 1922-10-21
.LET-UP IN BUILDING
SEASONAL, IS CLAIM
S. W. Straus Says Intensive
Pressure for Construction
Has Not Spent Force.

Seasonal slowing up of construc-
ton throughout the country should
not be taken as an indication that
the current years activity has about
ended, in the opinion of S. w. Straus
of New York.
although the current season has
been by far the most important one
in the annals Of the building and con-
struction industries" he states;
there is no indication that the in
tensive pressure for more buildings
throughout the country has spent it's
force. There is, of course, some
slowing up at this time, due to
weather conditions, car shortage and
freight embargoes, but, fundamental
ly. there is still a large demand for
buildings, including industrial and
commercial types, as well as apart
ment houses.
$4,000. O.OOO. 900 Already Expended.
"It should be borne in mind that
the tremendous amount of building
so far this year. amounting to more
than S3,OOO,OO0, 900, has been accom-
plished in the face of many serious
obstacles. The labor situation has
been far from stabilized, general
business has not entirely recovered
normal momentum and conditions
abroad have not improved generally.
Therefore. there will be demand for
more buildings to take care of the
larger requirements of business, In
addition to the shortage which was
created by two seasons of compare
tive inactivity.
1T is to be remembered also that
standards of living are constantly
improving in this country. People
are demanding better living accom-
days luxury is today's necessity, and
in no phase Of human activity is this
more apparent than in housing. This
means the constant replacing of old
structures, for new ones represent
the last word in conveniences and
comfort.
"At present the labor situation in
the building industry seems in bet
ter shape throughout the country
than has been the case at any pre-
vious time this year. There is a short
age of workers in many of the essen
ltial trades, but 1t is noted that schools
have been started tor the purpose of
teaching various building trades to
apprentices, and the delays and In
conveniences which have been caused
in times past by the shortage of labor
in some particular trade seem ilkely
to be alleviated.
Taken in its entirety the outlook
for the industry may be viewed with
the greatest optimism"
Material manufacturers continue to
maintain their optimism. also
Lumber shipments normally fall on
in the fall in response to the annua!
seasonal demands of agricultural
commodities and coal on the trans
portation agencies, says the weekly
lumber movement bulletin OF the Ma
citation, but the recession is marked
this year by peculiar conditions: These
conditions include heavy crops. urg-
ent coal forwarding and sudden
expansion of industry generally; Con
sequently no great commercial sig
nificance is to be attached to the re-
duction in the volume of shipments
and orders as reported by 1858 mills
of eight regional soft wood lumber
associations for the week ending
october Z. Even the fact that both
shipments and orders reveal a con-
siderable decline as compared with
the same week in 1921, is in no way
diScouraging.
ON the contrary, that production is