Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-21
1881 TO Be HUGE
BUILDING PERIOD
&3,5OO,OOO,0OO Construc-
ton Already Planned, Ma
tionaI Survey DiscIoseS.

New 1881 construction totaling more
than $4,000 900 900 is already planned,
actually under way or about to be start
ed in the United States, according to
Nation wide survey of the building stu
alton Just completed by Nelson, Hunt &
Co. Of Chicago
This figure, based upon data from Gov
eminent and private sources as well as
reports from building officials in lead
ing cities, it was explained, does not
include near 81 ,00o, 100000 worth OF
Federal, State and county highway con-
struction, which Is regarded as Of par
ticular Importance this year because OF
its large consumption of labor and
building materials.
Reports from leading cities and in
dustrial sections of the country" said
the survey, indicate that construction
activities as a whole are proceeding at
near the same rate as in 1880. Up to
February Is, heavy engineering and
public work was leading in activity, be-
ing about 10 per cent ahead of last
year. Residential and small nome
building also increased in some COM
munities. particularly in the New York
metropolitan area, where an IL per
cent gain in this type of construction
was reported in January.
Public works, public buildings, State
all types of Federal and State work will
undoubtedly be the most important fac
tor in utilizing labor and building ma
terialS in 1881. particularly during the
first half Of the year.
Government and State financed con-
Struction planned and under way totals
between $500, 100000 and $500 900 900 In
new projects. This is perhaps the most
extensive public building program ever
lob nd n nnIlnfpTh1l-
ance other lines which may be slow to
increase construction for 1881. Whereas
public building ordinarily comprises SIS
per cent of total construction, 1t is es-
timated that it will be more than double
this percentage this year.
"A large volume of work also will be
provided by municipal bond issues,
amounting to $500 1000, 900, which have
been voted by cities and towns through
out the country.
Another important factor in the i'm
mediate construction program is the
vast amount of building planned by the
power and light utility companies, which
have enjoyed successful year despite
the depression and are carrying out ex-
panSion plans as rapidly as possible in
order to take advantage Of current low
material and labor costs. The construc-
ton plans Of these companies for 1881
call Tor an expenditure OF more IMAM
$700, 100000, of which a considerable
portion is already under way.
industrial building. which declined
IN 1890, promises to show some revived
activity this year. with more than $780,
600. 600 worth of this work now actu-
ally on the boards Some of this work
is planned as a constructive aid to I'M
employment and as a means of prepar-
ing for future expansion at time when
costs are low and labor plentiful.
Another important factor in the 1881
Building program, not included in the
list of new projects. is the moderniZa-
ton of homes and business structures
o movement which is receiving unusual
business emphasis because of the low
cost of materials and the plentiful labor
supply. 1t Is estimated that this work
alone will represent an expenditure of
nearly half a billion dollars this year"