The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-04
NO REDUCTIONS
IN BUILDING
ATER|AL
Fluctuations Negligible Despite
Few.LocaI Advances and
Recessions.

The outstanding feature Of the
building industry throughout the
United States at the present time
Is a pronounced tendency toward
stabilized prices, according to s. w.
Straus, president of S. w. Stratus
& Co., who in a statement yester
day said:
tuations in building costs have been
negligible. There have, of course,
been advances and rccessions here
and there as the result of local
conditions, but the underlying ten
denotes have been toward stability
in costs. This important develop
ment may be taken as an indication
that the activities of the industry
will continue on an even keel some
time. Rapid fluctuations in build
ing prices add to the perplexity of
prospective builders, and it will be
greatly to the advantage of all con-
cerned to have conditions continue
along the same lines that now exist.
while there have been some re-
cessions in prices, which during the
month Of June amounted to 4 per
cent for the average of all building
costs will come down to any apprc-
ciable extent. This il true largely
because the shortage of buildings
is so widespread and there is so
much potential construction work
in the country that pronounced cost
decreases would Immediately bring
about abnormal building activity
which, through the processes Of
competition, would again force up
the prices.
In connection with the large
amount Of construction which will
be demanded within the next few
years, 1t Is to be borne in mind
that there Is not only a vey extern
S1ve building shortage but there
are certain unusual changes taking
place which neceSsitate a greater
building program than would be
needed through the normal increase
In population. These phenomena
are as follows:
"First-The movement of rural
populations to the cities.
"Second-The suburban move
ment in most large cities as a re-
suit OF the development Of the au-
tomobile and good roads.
The movement from the country
districts to the city has been most
intensive during the past two or
three years, A'though during the
entire decade from 1910 to 1920 it
was in progress. While such a
does not represent any
Increase in the population Of the
nation 1t does mean an abnormal
increase in the growth Of the cities
ana correspondingly abnormal de.
fnTs Ill lpi-
The growth Of the suburban
has been going on in
tens1vely since the war, and has
meant an abnormal demand for
houses OF the usual suburban tyne. |
IN a recent survey of the country
t was found that SO per cent Of the |
titles in the country are feeling the
effects OF a heavy movement to the |
districts.
The results OF such large mi. |
srations Of population from more or
ess congested city centers to the
'pen suburbs results, Of course. in
IN enormous increase in the de.
nand for dwellings, stores, garages,
schools and other accoutrements of
It also involves at
east the alteration of buildings
rom which removal has taken
pace and In many cases the de-
noitlon OF them and their replace
nent by structures of another type.
1t Is also matter of note /
hat the growth of the automobile
las seriously affected the shortage
7 labor in the building crafts. Il
Many young men have taken work
n the automobile industry who
would otherwise no doubt have
'one into the building trades. In
IKE manner the enormous amount
I highway construction which has
cen going on in this country since
ne war and for a number of years
efore has seriously drained the
u1lding industries of labor.
There is nothing to indicate
hat these various Developments
Ill materially change. The
ontinued building Of new roads
no highways will follow naturally
ne growth of the automobile bust.
ess, and hence these activities will
ontinue to divert labor from the
uilding crafts, while the migra.
ons OF population now in progress
Ill undoubtedly keep effective an
bnormal demand for new build
lgs."
Il