Evening star., 1938-06-25
PERMITS IN MAY
FOR HOMES TOP
APRIL BY 4 PCT.
Labor Bureau Sees Signs
Long Awaited Recovery
Is Under Way.
new NON-RESIDENTIAL
BUILDING VALUE DROPS
D. G. Third Among Cities in Total
Construction During Five
Months of 1888.

An increase of 4 per cent in the
value of residential buildings. fol
which permits were issued in May, al
. compared with April, was reported to-
day by Charles v. Mclaughlin. Acting
Secretary of Labor, following compile
ton of the Bureau of Labor Statistics
monthly Nationwide survey
This increase, the Labor Depart
ment holds, is significant in view OF
the fact that in 1887 there was a
decrease of % per cent in residential
permit valuations between April and
May. Indications are that the long
awaited recovery of the home-building
industry is under way. The survey
showed that six Of nine geographic
divisions of the country shared in
the gain, the most important increase
being on the Pacific Coast.
The number of family dwelling
units provided in new residential
buildings increased 5 per cent, COM
pairing the two months. Though
the value of residential construction
dropped 10 per cent, in comparison
to May, 1887, there was actually an
increase of is per cent in the num-
Der Of families provided for in the
new dwellings erected. This, Mr.. Nc
Laughlin pointed out, indicates that
an attempt Is being made to meet
the demand for lower-cost housing.
Total Valuations Drop.
In contrast with the rise in resi-
Dental building, there was a decrease
of "a per cent in the value of new
non-residential buildings and Of 13
per cent in the value of additions,
alterations and repairs, bringing the
total permit valuation down by IL
per cent, comparing May with April.
Total permit valuations for the month
declined 81 per cent from the figure
Of May, 1897. There was a drop Of
81 per cent in value of non-residential
buildings and of 81 per cent in the
value of additions. alterations and
iepairs over this period.
Washington holds third place among
the cities of the country in total valu-
alton of private and government con-
struction for the first five months OF
the year. The total for the Capital
IN this period is placed by the Labor
Department at $21,925,614, a decline
Of $350, 900 from the comparable period
OF last year. Private construction
here shows a much sharper drop, but
comparatively heavy building by the
Federal Government has kept total
construction close to 1887 figures.
New York City is far out in front in
total building operations, with valu-
alton for the first five months of
$780, 900. Los Angeles holds Sec
ond place with a total Of $27 200, 900.
Such large cities as Chicago, Phila-
delphia and Detroit are far behind
Washington.
S644, 1850, 900 in Permits.
During the five month period, the
bureau reports, permits were issued
in the cities of the country for con-
struction having a total valuation of
s644, 100000. This represents a de-
crease of II per cent from the COM
parable period Of last year. The value
Of residential construction declined
II per cent in this period. Non-resi-
dental building showed smaller de-
crease
There were 17,103 family-dwelling
units provided in new housekeeping
dwellings for which permits were
issued in May.
The data collected by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics show, in addition
to private and municipal construction,
(see PERMITS. Page B-21