Evening star., 1925-12-25
NEW CONSTRUCTION
| OUTLOOK BRIGHT
Present Building Boom Sure
to Last at Top Speed
All Winter.
BY j. c. ROYLE.

NEW YORK, December 25.-With
the exception of today and January
i, the volume of building con-
struction in the United States will
20 forward throughout the Winter
months at a rate never before
equaled. This activity is not confined
10 the South, although in the warmer
sections it has been most marked.
The conclusion is amply substantiated
by the contracts which have already
been awarded.
The cement consumption in Florida
was the highest per capita in late
Fall and Winter months of any of
the States. For the year the Florida
consumption will be equivalent to
nearly 21a barrels of cement for each
inhabitant. But in Michigan it was
almost as high for the year and
cold weather did not check construc-
tino there.
Activity Widespread.
Much of the activity in the colder
States was due to the fact that mod
ern methods have enabled builders
70 use cement construction, even with
the thermometer around the zero
mark. Engineers estimate that pre-
cautions to protect cement work in
cold weather add between 4 and 3
per cent to the cost Of the job. But
they declare this is equaliZed by the
ability to secure picked men during
the Winter, to maintain working
forces intact and to keep construc-
ton going without interruption at a
steady labor cost, with elimination
OF overtime and bonuses.
Prices for cement have been shaded
somewhat since cold weather made its
appearance. This is natural since the
production this year has reached rec
ord figures already and before January
| promises to exceed 100000 900 bar
relS. The growth OF cement consump-
tion has been even more remarkable
The first plant to manufacture Port
land cement was established in Amer
lea after 1872 and American produc-
tion did not exceed imports until 1900.
Imports now are less than per cent
of consumption.
Plants in this country now Involve
Il capital investment Of more than
$3.50. 900 900. Commercial buildings.
public buildings and dwellings, now ac-
count for nearly 50 per cent of produc-
ton, while paving and highways ab-
sorb % per cent.
Other Helpful Factors.
Other factors haxe entered into the
stimulation OF building this Winter.
Among these has been the reduction
in sizes and varieties of tools, hard
ware and equipment. Varieties and
sizes of scoops, Shovcls and spades
have been cut nearly in half. File
and raSp sizes have been reduced from
.351 to 496 by the hardware dealers
and manufacturers. There has been
an average reduction of 26 per cent in
1000 catalogue items of builders hard
ware.
Sizes of brushes adapted for spread
ing of paint and YarnisheS have been
cut 800 per cent. Tacks and nails
nave been scaled down from $50 sizes
70 138. The Hoover committee on
waste in industry estimated loss IN
construction at 53- per cent. Recent
alterations and adjustments in ma
,prials have shaded this materially.
In 1922 the margin OF profits in the
hIildiug industry was placed at per
cent. Since then this margin has
Widened and at the same time build
ing costs have been slightly reduced.
SiInplification in sizes of common
brick and other building materials
has aided this trend.
Large Sums Saved.
Government officials estimated that
The dollar saving of simplifcation TO
producers, distributors and Consum.
ers has amounted to Sl000,000 for
paving brick, 81 400, 900 for sheet steel,
: Si,500000 for reinforcing bars used
III concrete construction, $4,000, 900
ia builders hardware and $3.50 100000
IN softwood lumber.
Stocks of finished cement at pres
~; are not high but the amount of
. "cliuksr" which has been heat treat
~ and which remains only 10 be
nGlveriZed as needed is fairly high at
no present time. The Spring demand
IS counted on TO absorb this excess
material swiftly.
Copyright. 1879