Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-07-27
NATIONS BUILDING
BOOM CONTINUES
Work Far Ahead of Volume
in 1884, Analysis by
Craig Shows.

There has been no let down in the
Nationwide improvement of building
activities which began last year. ac-
cording to an analysis of the industry
Just completed by e. M. Craig, exec
utive secretary of the National Asso-
citation of Building Trades Employers.
Craig's observations are based on a
study of all sections. Private con-
struction. including the building of
new homes. industrial expansion and
reconditioning projects. is far ahead
Of the 1894 volume. though 1885 pub
lie construction is slightly behind.
s7e0 100000 East of Rockies.
In the States east of the Rockies. the
1885 first halls approximate construc-
ton total was S700 900. 900. All Rocky
Mountain States show 95 per cent
improvement in 1885 over 1884, the
totals being SOL .860,l89 for the first
half of 1885. compared to s32.6S7, 043
for the corresponding 1884 period. 1t
is interesting to note that New York
City's first six months of 1885 total
vas S60.948.094, which practically
EQUALS the Western States 1885 first
half total of s61 $50. 189.
Predictions based on the first half of
1885 indicate estimated yearly con-
struction increases from practically
all cities, ranging from is to 800 per
cent over 1884 totals Akron says Is
per cent; Louisville, 81 per cent; New
York City, so per cent; Cleveland, SIS
per cent: Los Angeles, 100 per cent;
Detroit, 100 per cent; Kansas City,
cent. Despite a firming of wage rates
within the last year. nearly all report
ing cities continue to complain of
"chiseling practices" between contrac-
tors and workmen on collective bar
gaining rates.
Mr.. Craig estimates the amount of
needed private construction delayed
during this economic breakdown to be
about $40 900 900, 000 Release of this
private capital would dwarf the
$4,000 900 900 set aside by Congress
recently for work relief projects.
Mechanic Shortage Feared.
Assuming that the building industry
IL TcSbOICu W IiOi HldICy nCiehIo "iliiih
the next two or three years. Mr..
Craig warns of looming shortage of
building mechanics. A Nationwide
normal building year would mean the
absorption of approximately 100000
mechanics. 1t is doubtful, however.
whether 100000 could be mustered
into active service. Five years of rock
bottom construction activities have
compelled numerous workmen to ac-
uuire other wage-earning jobs. Any
number of these workmen are con-
WINGED that steady yearly employment
at less wages guarantees them better
standard of living than seasonal en-
pIoyment at higher rates. Also in
cluded in this huge decline Of building
workers are those passing on and
those OUTLYING their physical useful
ness. The contractors and unions
problem is that of creating more ap-
prentices. AS an inducement to youth.
the vocational training period could be
curtailed from four to two years.
This would insure a larger quota of
building mechanics for the inevitable
building comeback which is surely
undertaking.
In concluding Mr.. Craig states that
even the most severe restraint cannot
indefinitely impede the already visible
forces of supply and demand and that
''the most ruthless depression Of world
history" is obviously disappearing.