Evening star., 1925-07-05
HALF YEAR RECORD
INBU|LD|NGBROKEN
Lumber Production Totals
Are ReveIation-LuII Now
Due-Road Work Heavy.
BY HARDEN COLFAX.

Another high record has fallen
that or the volume of building con-
struction. Measured by the gauge of
lumber production, the almost unbe-
lievable record volume of building last
year has been topped, month for
month, during the first half of 1925.
Lumber production for the first 26
weeks of 1925, says the National Lum-
Der Manufacturers Association, as the
result of survey undertaken for this
writer, shows a 2 per cent increase
over production during the first 26
weeks of 1924 and a Al per cent in
crease over the similar period of 1923.
Orders Up With Production.
Orders have more than kept step
with production. Cumulative orders
received during the first half of 1925,
the association finds, were more than
5.6 per cent greater than orders re-
ceived during the first half of 1924.
but less than l per cent greater than
orders received during the same Pc
ried of 1928.
In other words. the lumber industry
of the United States has never in its
history before enjoyed a period of
such great activity as that which
ended with the passing of June. AS
10 the immediate future. the prospect
is for continued activity on an un-
paralleled seasonal scale. Such is the
view of Wilson Compton. secretary
and manager of the association, who
has just concluded a Nationwide sur
vey of conditions.
Ahead of Last Year.
Lumber sentiment in the East
South and North" Mr.. Compton as
serts, lis distinctly hopeful. l have
just returned from a trip through
those sections. The volume of soft.
wood consumption in the Atlantic
coast territory is tremendous. and
outside of New York is greater than
1t was last year.
Building contracts awarded for
the first five months of 1925 are 10
per cent ahead of last year, and show
greater construction activity in all
sections east of the Rockies except
in the Northeastern States.
Retail yards and Industrial buy
ers are reported as almost universally
demanding immediate delivery. This
mantfestly means unusually small
stocks at consuming points and com
plete dependence upon speedy and
regular deliveries from sawmills.
Building Costs Steady.
Fundamental conditions are just
ago. Speculative building is falling
off somewhat, which is a good symp-
tom. Construction costs are generally
as low as they have been at any month
during the past two years, and are 10
per cent higher than they were three
years ago and 20 per cent lower than
they were five years ago. which is
another evidence of increasing sta
bility.
Reports received by me from 900
credit men show general business
prospects during the next six months
as follows: Better business, rs per
cent; stationary business. 20 per cent
poorer business, per cent"
Consumption Passes Peak
Mr.. Compton asserts that as a re
suit of his survey he is convinced that
consumption of building materials
has passed its peak for the year" He
also finds that, due largely TO the fact
that railroads generally are speeding
up shipments of all commodities, re
| tailers and consumers are no longer
under the necessity of carrying large
stocks. A retailer now can get what
he wants in from one-half to two
thirds of the time required for de
livery three years ago.
New Highway Record Looms.
To compensate for the expected
abatement in building construction
during it's seasonal period of quieter
business, the construction of new
highways is reaching it's highest levels
and will attain it's maximum activity
during the next six weeks or two
months. reports TO Government of
ficials here indicate. 1t is believed
that the volume of road construction
in 1925 will sweep away all existing
records, the highest of which stands
at handful of millions above 81 ,OO0,.
000,0 for the year.
1QS5N