The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-03-02
PERMITS ISSUED
THIsYEAR SHOW
BUILDING GAIN
Indianapolis Listed Among
Cities to Report In
crease.

Indianapolis is keeping pace with
the general trend to increase build
ing operations throughout the United
States it is revealed in figures
supplied by Building Commissioner
Francis Hamilton. Valuations con-
tanned in new building permits,
issued so far this year has been in.
creased $54,9S9. The permits this
year carry a total valuation Of
$1,019,515 as compared with $964,5 26
of 1925.
The building industry has regis
tered a large volume of new con-
struction in many parts of the
country, according to the National
Monthly Survey of S. w. Straus
& Co, made public recently. A
survey of building operations in 420
cities is covered by the report, which
states building permits let in these
cities so far this year totaled $685..
610,715 as compared with $247, 079,-
COS during the same period last
year. A net gain of per cent.
show a gain of 16 per cent. COM
parable with a slight increase of
1925. Sixty-eight per cent of the
total valuation on permits issued
this year were issued in the twenty
five leading cities.
The report shows the increases
were scattered and not spread even
ly in centers /of large population.
New York Detroit. Philadelphia,
San Francisco. Seattle and cities OF
the south, which are holding their
building activitiesc. represent the
gain for the country. Decreases are
shown in a number of cities which
reported much activity last year
They include: Chicago, Washington,
Boston and Los Angeles. Seventy
eight cities out of twelve southern
states reporting, show an increase
Of SO per cent.
New Yorks gain of IS per cent
aided the 1923 eastern cities reporting
to show an increase. A loss was
registered in 1873 cities Of the central
west, including Chicago. Eighty six
pacific western cities failed to gain.
despite San Francisco's and Seattle's
increases. A loss of close to $4,000.
600 was reported In Los Angeles.
The States In which gains were
recorded were: New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kansas,
Michigan. Missouri. Arkansas.
Florida, Georgia, louisiana, Missis-
sippi, North Carolina, Tennessee.
Texas, Washington and Idaho.
A mid-winter construction record
not reaching any corresponding
period for the last fourteen years has
been established so far in 1926, ac-
cording to the Engineering News
Record, reports. Contracts let in the
United States in 1925, on all classes
Of contraction, totaled $3.50, CAT, 900,
as against $246,919, 900 in December
and $171, 100000 in January of last
year. Price movements on most
basic building marterial is on the
downward trend with a possibility
of slight reaction in the spring. Tho
average rate for common labor
throughout the country is holding at
81 cents an hour as against SIS cents
five months ago, according to the
paper.
A strong note in the electrical
business situation with an UMPIRE
cidented volumn of power, is re-
ported by the Electrical World. From
Jan. l to present date more than
$168,000,0 900 has been raised in cen
trail stations in money markets, as
compared with $S3,000,O0O for the
same period last year. A notable
increase in farm lighting plant sales
was reported in the Middle West,
with much utility building in evil
dence
The Common Brick Manufacture
ers' Association Of America reports
the outlook for the remainder of the
year, from their standpoint, after
analyzing returns from the first
months business, is very favorable.
An increase of per cent in brick
business this year over last is pre-
dicted.
Peak Of hardware buying will
be reached after this month, &C.
cording to the Hardware Age, in re-
porting an increase Of hardware sales
the early part of this year over last.
The prediction is made with reser-
walton, however, as mild weather is
races SaHr To cfirn111ata SaIec