Evening star., 1925-07-18

With a total OF $50. ,44S for the
first six months of 1925, the National
Carttal shows an increase in building
OF 81 per cent over the corresponding
period of 1924. This huge total that
Is rapidly carrying Washington to-
ward the goal of another record break
in@ year in the building industry,
places ii seventh among the cities of
the Nation in construction activities
since January l.
The momentum of construction here
IS still on the upward swing, as in
dicated by June. when, with a total
of S,S39, ,3S2, Washington jumped to
sixth place among the cities of the
country for the month, with only
New York. Chicago. Detroit, Phila-
Gelphia and Los Angeles ahead.
S16,152,522 Above 1924.
The value of construction here for
the first six months of 1925 is Sl6,-
1o2.522 ahead of the same period of
1874. The first half year of 1924 show
ed valuation of S19,74S, ,926. June is
more than double June. 1924 ST.
Louis Is next to Washington in valu-
alton. being more than $4,000, 900 be-
hind the National Capital for the first
six months
The building industry has rounded
u,
which gives every indication of placing
the years construction total far ahead
OF the record breaking volume of 1924
r or the first six months of the year
the gain throughout the country was
per cent over the same period in
1924, when, 1t will be remembered,
there was gain of per cent over
the first half of 1928
According to the national monthly
la 1.-Two
Co. from which these figures were
obtained, the June gain In permits is
sued and plans filed in the 370 leading
cities and towns of the country was
~ per cent over June, 1924.
Tendency Still Upward.
The general tendency of building
activities is distinctly upward at the
present time. 1t will be recalled that
IN January there was a loss of 3.5
per cent; in February. per cent;
and in March 13 per cent The dis
ttnct upturn began with April. when
there was a gain of 80 per cent
over April, 1924. In May the gain
was Is per cent, so that with the
June increase of 33 per cent there
was an average monthly gain during
the second quarter of 27 per cent
The figures during the first quar-
ter OF the year, moreover. cannot be
taken at their face value. inasmuch
as the losses were confined largely to
New York City, where comparative
declines We're recorded as the result
of the excessive filing of building
plans prior to the expiration Of the
taX-exemption laws on April l, 1924.
Throughout the entire country there
has thus been a steady and consist
ent Increase in building activities
throughout the year 1925 as COM
pared with 1924.
Total sSss, ,6s7 ,655.
The total of June permits issued
in the $40 centers was $39S,697, ,655,
compared with S299. 1856 ,O4s in June,
1924. In regional activities the
South continues to outstrip all other
sections. The II Southern States
gained SO per cent over June last
year. The East gained 28 per cent;
the Central States, "a per cent and
the Pacific Coast region, 35 per cent
Outstanding gains among the cities
were: Akron, 116 per cent; Asheville,
n. c., POI per cent; Chicago, % per
cent; Cincinnati, 28 per cent; Colum-
bus, 40 per cent; East Cleveland, 49
per cent; Hollywood, Fla. 500 per cent:
Kansas City, Mo, 120 per cent Key