Evening star., 1923-01-27

Incessant clamoring by local builders
for more construction material with
which to continue the boom now in
progress is taxing local building supply
dealers to their capacity. and in a num-
ber Of instances beyond their capacity.
Just at present the most serious short
age appears to be in the plumbing sup
ply field, but dealers in structural steel,
cement, brick. lumber and other ma
terials are also having their troubles,
it was learned.
Enamel ware manufacturers, one of
the leading Washington supply men re-
ports, are about four months behind in
their order schedules. due to a strike
which has been In effect since fall 1t
is exceedingly difficult to obtain deliv-
cries OF steel pipe, it was stated, and
other plumbing accessories, principally
because of the inability Of the mills to
produce to their limit with the supply Of
raw stuff which the railroads are able
to ship in the few cars allotted.
Strikes Leave Mark.
1t was asserted that no plumbing
jobber in the east has any considerable
stock on hand and many Of them are
enough to tide them over the crisis.
The strike in the earthenware and
enamelware industry has resulted in
employers turning to the open shop and
employing non-union men who are new
at the work. This has necessitated re-
organization of the shop forces and con-
sequent impeding of output.
The coal and rail strikes of last year
transportation facilities have not yet
reached a normal condition. Even If
the ,manufacturer is able to get his car
loaded with" freight, the probability is
that shipment will be delayed because
Of embargoes not yet fifted in certain
districts.
Many of the builders here, II was as
serted, do not realize the seriousness of
the material situation. placing utmost
confidence in their dealers ability to
furnish required stocks. The dealers.
however, not wishing to disappoint old
customers, but faced. on the other hand.
by letters of regret from the mills, are
represented as being worried. They
are fearful of losing the confidence of
their old customers
Indicative of the enormous demand
for construction materials in Washing
ton is the announcement of one dealer
that in the thirty years he has been in
business here he has not experienced
the volume of business which swamped
him during December and which is pill
ing up this month also.
Small Orders Filled.
Anxiety 1elt ny some OF the smaller
builders that the simultaneous erection
here OF SO many large structures, such
as hotels. apartment houses and Office
buildings, would make them suffer for
lack Of materials is not we'll founded
the dealer explained. Dealers prefer to
fill small orders for regular customers,
who, they know, will furnish them with
permanent source of orders, than to
risk the loss of established patronage
In order to fill one large order for a
Temporary" customer
Local brick dealers, while doing a
brisk business. do not seem to be so
tar behind In their orders as they were
during the transportation sauabble
Cement is being delivered at a fairly
satisfactory rate also. The structural
steel situation is reflected in the an
nouncement of THE Allan E. Walker
Company that the first steel for the
new hotel at Connecticut avenue and