Evening star., 1924-01-12
BUILDING IN 1928
SKATERS RECORDS
5o0,00O,O00 in Con-
struction Reported in En-
tire Country During Year.

Last year broke all previous con-
Ftruction records, according to +. w.
Dodge Corporation. Total contracts
awarded during the, year in the
thlrty-siX eastern states and the Dis
drict of Columbia, including about
seven -eighths of the total construction
or the country, amounted to $780,,
4S3,oO0. This indicates more than
S4,500,000,000 worth of construction
in the entire country.
In tWenty-seven of these states the
increase over 1922, which was itself a
record breaking year, was nearly 5
per cent After an unusually heavy
spring season, there was slight re-
action through the summer months,
followed by an unusual increase in
the late fall. December, 1928, showed
an increase of % per cent over the
previous December
The increase was largely in resi-
Dental and industrial buildings
RESIDENTIAL construction increased 18
per cent over 1922, which was rather
surprising in view of the higher cost
levels last year, and industrial con-
struction increased 16 per cent. Con-
structton of public works and utili-
tles remained about stationary busi-
ness buildings declined per cent,
and all other classes combined de-
creased Is per cent from 1922
All previous construction records
We're broken in these districts: New
York state and northern New Jersey,
Inc Pittsburgh district and the north
west New England just about
equaled the 1922 record, and the mid
ole Atlantic states and the central
west declined. The southwestern
states probably showed a considerable
increase. although there was no rec
ora on them previous to last year.
Contemplated new work reported
during the year 1923 in the thirty-six
states amounted to S7,421, 100000,
which is Sc per cent in excess of the
total of contracts awarded Cor work
actually started). The normal excess
is about 30 per cent. This may be
taken as an indication of d demand
that has not been fully satisfied.
However, the excess Of contemplated
work reported has BEEN abnormally
large every year since the war. and
is not sufficient TO Indicate an in
creased volume OF construction in
1924.
Costs 80 Per Cent Higher.
In fact, the reaction of last summer
was a very mild one. insufficient to
bring about an apprecia BILE lowering
of building costs generally. Building
costs are now at a level nearly 80 per
cent above the prices OF general
are generally scarce. The 1928 in
crease over 1922 was surprising in
view of all the conditions. 1t seems
unlikely that 1924 can better the 1928
record or even equal it. A total con-
StructiOn program of $4,000, ,000, 900 in
the entire country seems a reason
a Bile estimate to make at the present
time. moderate decline from the
1923 construction volume, about 10
per cent ought to have a wholesome
Influence
Contracts awarded during Decem-
her in New York state and northern
New Jersey amounted to Sill, 100000,
an unusually large amount for the
from November was / per cent but
December. 1928. started double the
amount of construction that was
started in December. 1922.
The years total for the district is
$1,06S.935.000. which exceeded all pre-
vious records being a 20 per cent
increase over 1872, which was itself
a record breaking year. The greater
part of the increase over 1922 came
in the closing months of the year,
which have witnessed boom in New
York city residential buildings of
considerable proportions. Residential
buildings accounted for 1886. 600,
or 60 per cent. of the years total for
the district. Other important items
in the years record were $139, 900
or 13 per cent, for business building;
SS0.4 4-'bN, OF per cent. IOT eQuCd-
tional buildings; $50 900, or per
cent, for industrial plants, and S62.-
$4,000, or per cent, for public
works and utilities.
The total Of contemplated new work
reported drring the year amounted to
1906, 600, which is 81 per cent
greater than the amount of work actu-
ally started, the normal excess of con-
templated work over work started being
about 80 per cent.
New England Gains.
Decembe7' building contracts III New
England amounted to sec, ,617. 900, an
increase of per cent over November
and of % per cent over December,
1922
Total construction started during
the entire year 1928 amounted to
1892, ,S5I 900, only a fraction of l per
cent less than the amount of 1922,
which was the highest recorded year
for the district. Last years total in
Guided Sl56,S52 900, or Al per cent, for
residential buildings; $55,677,0O0, or
j per cent, for business buildings;
01,000. or IL per cent, for public
works and utilities; $29,344 900. OF
per cent, for industrial plants, and
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