Evening star., 1940-04-20
j. ). Residential
Building Rises
Third in Year
Dollar Volume
For 1899 Highest
In Last Decade

IN the first complete report on 1899
building operations, the Labor De-
partment announced today that
new residential construction activity
throughout the country last year was
third greater than In 1898. The
dollar volume for home building
was higher than for any year since
1929.
All types of construction last year
showed a gain of 20 per cent over
1898. Indicated expenditure for
non-residential building was up 7
per cent, while the value of additions,
alterations and repairs to old struc-
lures showed a gain of 8 per cent
Increased activity in building was
reported in all sections of the
country, with the greatest gains be-
Ing recorded in the East South Gen.
trail, East North Central and South
Atlantic States, the report stated.
Capital in Third Position.
Total building operations for the
country last year are valued at 81
139,000,000. Permit valuations for
residential construction totaled ST.
169, 900, or 55 per cent of the en-
tire building figure. Twenty-nine per
cent Of the total was accounted for
by non-residential building, and 16
per cent by modernization work.
Valuation of permits for one
family dwellings was Al per cent
greater last year than in 1898, ac-
counting largely for the increase in
residential construction. The report
on new multi-family construction
was not nearly so favorable, apart
nents showing gain of Is per cent.
Washington, which was fourth in
total building valuation for 1898,
climbed to third position last year.
The Capitals total expenditure for
construction was ST. ,050, 900 in 1899,
an increase of about $40, ,0O0, 900 over
1898. New York City led the Nation
m total construction, with Los Ange-
les second, only slight bit ahead of
Washington.
Many Schools Erected.
Schools and libraries accounted for
. larger percentage of the new non-
residential building dollar than any
other type of building. Public onice
buildings accounted for the next
largest, followed in order by stores
and warehouses and public utility
buildings.
In relation to population, the Pa
eiflc Coast States showed higher
expenditure than any other section
Of the United States. Per capita ex-
penditures on the Pacific Coast
amounted to $5953. Lowest expendi-
lures per capita were shown in the
New England States. amounting to
e23.77 for all types of construction.
In general, smaller places had q
higher per capita expenditure than
the larger cities. For cities having
Q population of between 1000 and
$500, the per capita expenditure in
1899 amounted to $47.31. The total
Tor all reporting cities was $34.45 per
9apita. Cities having a population of
Doc, 900 and over showed 4 per capita
expenditure of 1924. The lowest per
capita expenditure occurred in cities
having population of between
$4,000 and 100000, with q rate of
93099.
The number of dwelling units pro-
vided per 10000 population was
greater in the smaller cities than in
the larger cities. In towns having
Q population of between 1000 and
$500. 70 dwelling units were provided
per 10000 population The rate for
al reporting cities was 81. In cities
Of between $4,000 and 100000, 43
dwelling units were provided per
10000 population.