Evening star., 1922-01-14

than for any previous December, with
| the exception of December, 1919. The
total amount of these contracts was
$l9S,5ls,O0O, an increase of 3 per cent
over the November figure, whereas
December usually shows a decline
from November. The closing month of
1871 showed an increase of SO per
cent over the corresponding month of
1920.
The total amount of construction
contracts let during 1921 was s2,359.-
ols,oO0, only per cent under the 1920
total. 1t is doubtful whether any
other business Jared so well in 1921
as the construction industry as "A
whole has, even though the volume
of construction has been unevenly
distributed as to classes of projects
and as to locality.
The predominating factor in the
years program was residential build
ing, which amounted to sss0,O52. 900.
which was 81 per cent of the 1921
total, and represented an increase of
81 per cent over 1920 residential con-
struction. Public works and utilities
look second place, amounting to S459.
$4,000, or 19 per cent of the years
total. Other important items were:
Business buildings, s336,920, 600, or II
per cent; educational buildings, s242.-
562, 600, or 10 per cent (this figure rep
resenting very considerable inlrease
in a number of projects and in total
value over 1920. and industrial build
ings, s173.325,000, or Z per cent of the
years total.
Southerner Predicts.
Prediction that 1922 is likely to
prove the banner year in home build
ing was made today by King II. Pull
len, trade extension expert of southern
lumber interests. Mr.. Pullen has
supervision over the house planning
service of these lumber men in con
nection with the widespread Gown
your home" movement. and is thus
enabled to keep in close touch with
the progress of home building over
the country, it is stated.
THAT the people of the country
generally are manfesting great in
tcrest in BODYBUILDING is shown i'm
the immense number of requests re-
celNed by lumber associations for
various house plann books, show
ing designs of attractive and moder-
ATE e-priced dwellings and requests for
blueprint plans and Specifications of
homes which are offered in the asso-
cations own your home service.
prospective home-builders from All
parts of the United States" said Mr..
Pullen.
Examination of daily newspapers
published in numerous cities over the
country shows vigorous efforts are
being made by the press to Stimu-
late home-owning- relieve the serious
housing shortage and add to the
number of dwellings, in the various
communities. Many daily newspa-
pers are conducting home building
pages with designs of homes and floor
plans. and carrying a great amount
of advertising, including special
pages. from dealers in lumber and
other building materials. building
supply and furnishing firms, con-
tractors, builders, real estate oper-
ators and others--all Of which is cal
culated to quicken the interest of the
public and stimulate the erection OF
dwellings,. in which the entire coun-
try has fallen so far behind the ac-
tual needs.
Through the agencies mentioned
and through the own your home
campaigns in numerous localities
there is certaIp to be exerted AN i'm
pelling influence upon home building
Already we have reports of great ,
building revivals imminent in many
! communities in the United States. and
this year gives promise of establish
ing record for construction of
homes.