Evening star., 1923-11-10
BUILDING JUMPS
DURING OCTOBER
Largest Increase Shown in
New York State and
New Jersey.

October construction showed sur.
prising increase. according to the F.
w. Dodge Corporation. Total con-
tracts awarded during the month In
the thirty-six eastern states amount
ed to $3So.6S7,000. The increase over
September was rs per cent, whereas
the normal season increase is per
cent. In twenty-seven OF these
states the increase over October OF
last year was 26 per cent.
The large October increase was
heaviest in New York state and
northern New Jersey. and in the resi-
Dental class. Apparently the fact
that building costs have declined only
slightly is not acting as very strong
deterrent on building operations
The October increase, coming after a
steady decline since spring, is to be
viewed from two angles. fairly
heavy construction volume, keeping
the industry busy through the winter,
is desirable. If the October record
is a forerunner of abnormally hign
construction figures for the rest
of this year and up to the opening
OF the next spring season, there is
danger of a more severe reaction next
year than there was six months ago:
Included in last months record
were the following important items:
STA. 3.o42,oo0, or 4S per cent or tne
$4,000, or is per cent, Tor pupac
works and utilities; s35.13S,00o. or
10 per cent, for business buildings;
s32.721,00o for industrial buildings,
and s26,os5,oOo. or per cent, for
educational buildings.
The total amount of construction
started during the first ten months
of this year has amounted to s2,s47,-
$4,000, an increase of per cent over
the corresponding period OF last year
Contemplated new work reported in
October amounted to s556,4s1.O .OOe. an
increase Of 43 per cent over the Sep
tember figure.
Contracts in New York.
Contracts awarded during October in
New York state and northern New Jer-
sey reached the surprising total OF
*los; $4,000, This total has been. been ex, *
April, 1922, when the figure recorded
was Sis, 900. Last month showed
increases of 43 per cent over September
and 50 per cent over October of last
residential group. principally apartment
buildings and housing developments.
Residential construction as whole ac-
counted for s7o,s52, ooo. or 64 per cent
OF last month total. OthcF important
items were: $40, ,226, 900. or per cent,
for business buildings; s9,297 900, or s
per cent, for public works and utilities:
5000, or per cent, for educational
buildings; and s5.13S.5oO. or per cent.
for industrial plants.4
Total construction started during the
first ten months of this year has
amounted to SS3f, 81, 600, an increase of
9 per cent over tho corresponding
period of last year.
Contemplated new work reported in
October amounted to Sl45, 5,026, 600, an
increase Of 40 per cent over the amount
reported the previous month.
New England Busincss.
October building contracts in New
England amounted to $S1,157.OO0. an
increale of 20 per cent over the pre-
Yious month and of Is per cent over
the corresponding month of last year
Included in last months total were
the Following: s1s,710,o00, or 81 per
cent for residential buildings 81, 9o6,-
Voo, or l6 per cent, for business build
ings; $685., 900. or per cent. for ed-