The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-11-17
REACH
HIGH PEAK IN
OCTOBER
Over Two Hundred and Sixty
Million Dollars TO Be
Spent on Building.

October building permits. reach
ing q great total valuation of
1862, At ST., not only exceeds 81
far those for any previous oc-
tober, but even mount to the highest
level ever attained In any month
before the present year, namely,
the record peak established in
March, 1922. The figures are from
1873 cities reporting to the American
Contractor.
The month has ushered In
whirlWind finish to q whirlwild
rush that started the. erratic year
on its way last January. Whether
the extreme activity is actually TO
continue through the remaining two
months is perhaps more or les prob
lematical. though present condi-
tions seem to indicate that the high
level may be maintained even Il not
exceeded. 1t is worth noting, how
ever, that in October, 1921, the per
NIT valuation rose sharply and then
as precipitately declined in No
venber; also, that Of the four
years prior to 1928, only one. 1872.
ing two months.
SU6 lAAAA1AUAHS NtAAAOo
The valuation for the month just
past, totaIing $262, 477.87T for the
1893 cities. compares with valuation
OF s$213, g33, 40 for '2O6 cities IN the
preceding month, and with q vh4tla-
ton Of $2O6,519,943 for 204 cities IN
October of last year. The increase
for the month over the amount Tor
October, 1922, is 81 per cent, and
this year, % per cent That the
increase is in part attributable TO
the greater valuations of the ifldi-
vidual projects planned is indicated
by the fact that there was not the
same percentage Of. increase with -
Iation to the number Of projects. IN
October, 1923, permits were issued Tor
1856 projects; In October, 1872,
81, 159. The increase was, therefore,
only 20 per cent.
a. suggestion made last month VIII
well bear repetition here in light Of
the October development. A dis
tinctly rising trend in permit valua
ton during the final quarter of the
year is unusual. It occurred asa
marked exception in 1922 and Wa9 y
logical forerunner of the vast &C
tivity that developed the next spring.
Il
these last two months to gain some
idea Of what 1924 may bring forth.
Whether Octoberss extraordinary
upward swing is to continue viii Ge-
pend largely on how many OF the
deferred projects are brought forward
again, and that win, Of course, large
| ly depend on how many owners,
architects, and contractors believe
/ That prices will for some time re
main stabilized at present levels.
Los Angeles High.
i OF the cities in the million dollar
class, los Angeles continues In its
Il remarkable record with its $20.541,-
/ S72 in valuation for October. ex
ceeding by more than $4,000, 900 the
previous months valuation and APP
proaching within $7,000,0OO of the
amount for Chicago. It easily re-
/ tafns It's third position on the list.
Detroit, with $12 1885, $50, is its near
est competitor for that place, while
Philadelphia, for another month,
takes fifth position with a valua
ton Of $10,949, $40. Both Detroit
and Philadelphia show marked gains
over the permit valuations for Sep
Chicago's valuation, s27, ss7 $50. Is
nearly identical with the valuation
for the preceding month, which in
cluded the $4,000. 0e0 Union Station
project. Al high level of activity
is therefore indicated in that city.
Cleveland. with a valuation OF So
733, 800, is exceeded by Milwaukee
with a total of $6,047,773, almost
double the September figure