Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-23
BIC BUILDING YEAR
IS SEEN FOR 1925
Five Billion Outlay Likely Due
! to Need of Houses and
Cheap Money Rates.
By j. c. ROYLE.
Special Dfspatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, December 23.-At least
five billion dollars is going into build
ing construction in the United States
in 1925, although the general trend
of building activity in coming years
is sure TO be downward. This enor-
nous expenditure is being aided, not
only by a continued shortage of hous-
ing facilities, but by the present easy
rate of money and the lack OF diff
Guilty with which building operations
are being financed.
Prospective builders are not inclined
to delay. Business conditions SEEM
fngly point to prosperous times for
the first part of 1925, and the future
general trend of steel. lumber and
labor costs seems upward. The nor
NAL increase in population in the
next year will be approximately L.
500, 900 persons.
Many Houses Needed.
Provision for these 10000 families
must be added TO the building de-
ficiency carryover.
Building needs have ceased to be
general. In the East, the chief needs
are for residence types. In the West
and South more commercial buildings
are needed. Programs for State,
municipal and Federal construction
and building of schools, churches and
theaterS will be heavy.
Advance in real estate values has
forced many industrial plants TO move
to other locations where cheap hydro
electric power is available, and these
industries must be housed. On the
other side of the picture residential
shortage in Boston, Baltimore, wash
ington, New Orleans, Minneapolis.
VI. l., L. L.
been met Los Angeles, Cleveland
st. Louis, Buffalo and other cities
have been slowing down in their
programs.
Prices Are Strong.
With a tremendous volume Of
money sure to be spent for materials,
prices are strong and production ac-
tive. The value of lumber manufac-
tured in Western Oregon and West
ern. Washington in 1924 is placed
roughly at $3.50. 900, 900. and produc-
ton reached over $3.50 100000 feet.
Reaction from the Summer slump
demand now in evidence undoubted-
~ will lead 70 much heavier produc-
ton in 1926.
The Northern mills producing white
pine are more active at present than
for long time and expect to produce
n record cut this Winter Improved
conditions have manifested themselves
in the California lumber markets and
shipments are we'll up to production.
Iumbermen there are confident Of
higher pricess
Encouraging Lumber Year.
z. A. Frost, president of the South
ern Pine Association, declared today,
1924 had had been a most favorable
year and that there were many en-
couraging signs for the Southern
pine industry for 1925. Operations
of Southern Pine mills have not been
OF record breaking proportions. but
they have closely Appropriated
those of previous banner years and
there is no sign Of a relaxation of
demand.
THE most encouraging phase OF
the situation affecting southern
pine Mr.. Frost said, lis that, the
larger railroads have placed orders
for many freight cars, some OF them
specifying the use of southern pine
in their construction. 1t is estima ted
that equipment orders already placed
and prospective orders will require
approximately 100, 100000 feet of
lumber
The cement industry is continuing
fits record breaking program. Ship
ments for the first three quarters of
the year totaled 112, 1872. 900 barrels,
and this rate undoubtedly will be
eclipsed in the early months OF 1925.