The Washington herald., 1922-08-06
jOAL SHORTAGE
CUTS OUTPUT OF
BRICK INDUSTRY
FUEL Situation Held Men,
zee in Threatening Build
ng Material Production.
NO PRICE CHANGE
Many Plants Report Serious
Coal Situation viii Shut
Down Plants.

After sailing fairly smooth seas
rince 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 adver-
tised In advance that Its actual oc-
currence found the brick men well
stocked with fuel. II 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
n their supply. with production
restricted for lack Of fuel and man
afacturing costs greatly increased
on account of advance In prices Of
.oal. still brick prices show prac-
dcalIy no change during the past
month.
Big producers in Ohio that have
contracts with the mines at $3.50
per ton. which means about IS to
t5.25 delivered at the plant. are
unable to get sufficient coal upon
their contracts. When they so into
the local market to buy they are
forced to pay $3.50 at the mine
or from SO to S10.50 delivered at
their plants. This makes q differ
ence in the actual cost Of manufac-
turing brick OF from s2.50 to - per
thousand. according to processes
1sed. This situation is typical In
many States.
While several manufacturers re-
port restriction OF production and
= increased cost due to the coal sit
uation. only one plant is actually
closed down for lack of fuel. This
plant is located in Illinois.
On the fact of the reports from
members the production and ship
nent of brick shows an increase
over the preceding month. The
ninety-five companies reporting
produced last month lO6.475.00O
brick and shipped from their yards
1I5.333.0OO. The orders on the
books are far in excess of both
burned and green brick on hand. II
will be noted also that this condi-
tion-of orders in excess of stock
applies to all the Eastern and Mid
die Western districts. The reversed
condition is found only in the South
and far West.
In spite of the increased cost OF
production the selling price of brick
held steady during the past month
with only slight raises in one OF
two points. while the cost of lum.
Der. mill work and of labor ha.
shown q considerable advance. Clay
products have not yet reflected the
new condition.
A great deal Of construction work
IN under way in nearly all section,
of the country. Notable exceptions
are In the agricultural States just
Sesto fthe Mississippi. That the
present volume of building will
continue under the advancing price.
Is questioned. Already in Chicago
Cleveland and other Central and
Western cities there is a slowing
up of new Jobs. Contractors who
started ambitious programs in the
early season and protected them
selves on materials will carry out
contracts as far as the cheap ma
terials will last. but they hesitate
entering into new contracts at the
higher levels.
Labor is commanding and re-
ceivins pay far above union scales
There is a common report that the
efficiency of skilled labor is not as
high as IL was earlier in the sea.
son. The market for building ha,
by no means been satisfied and ii
both material and labor will keeI
their feet on the ground and will
be reasonable. there is every in
dication that building will not only
continue but will increase in vol
ume. For the first time in more
than a year brick manufacturer
are reporting a shortage of skilled
labor.
Out Of ninety-hve concerns re.
porting. nfty-four view the outlook
as good; twenty-nine as fair. anC
only. one looks for bad conditions
These opinions reflect the immedi
ate future