Evening star., 1952-01-02
Government Predicts
Downward Trend in
New Construction
By Nelson M. Shepord


cast a downward trend in new
construction in 1852. largely due
to shortages of steel and other
critical materials. The prediction
was in spite of the millions being
poured into atomic and defense
plant expansions, which helped
raise building expenditures to
nearly $50 billion in 1851.
The years total of $29,813, ,000,-
900 for all construction in the
United States marked Z per cent
increase over the 1850 total. But
the gain was in dollars and not
physical volume.
Included in the total was more
than 81 billion spent on new mill
tary facilities, nearly six times as
much as in 1850. Expenditures
for atomic energy and defense
plant construction totaled $3.50
million, four times the 1850 figure.
Huge public outlays for schools,
1t was said, also contributed to the
z per cent gain.
Report Issued Jointly.
The Government report was is
sued jointly by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics and the Com
merce Departments Building Ma
terials Division. In reviewing the
1851 record, it said, however:
Despite larger dollar OUTLAWS
in 1851, the physical volume of
new construction put in place did
not rise over 1850 levels. The
additional dollars spent were alb
sorbed by higher construction
costs"
That meant, in effect, that it
cost approximately Z per cent
more to build new homes, indus
trial plants and other projects last
year than it did in 1850.
A gradual reduction in total
construction became evident in
the last half of 1851, the report
pointed out. compared with the
record levels of the preceding Is
months.
"A decline in new private home
building, restrictions on CONNER
cial building and delays in nom
defense construction projects,
generally because Of materials
shortages, contributed to the
downward trend of new construc-
tion," the report said.
Reduction Anticipated.
Indications are that these fac
tors will continue to have a de-
pressing effect on the total
volume Of new construction in
1852"
Total private outlays of $20.8|
billion for new construction in
1851 equaled the 1850 total, the,
report added. Housing, retail
store and recreational construc-
tion declined but this was offset
by an increase in new industrial
plants and utilities, Office and
warehouse buildings and religious
and institutional construction.
Ad Director Resigns.
The resignation of Mrs. Harold
F. Walsh, effective January Is, as
director of advertising and public |
relations for Julius Garfinckel & |
Co. was announced today.
During the three years she has |
been with the company, Mrs.
Walsh-known professionally as
Lee Walsh-has won 13 adver-
tising awards for the firm. Among
the events she initiated were Gar
finckel's exhibits at White Sui
phur Springs and a fashion show
aboard the Queen of Bermuda in
October, 1850.
Mrs. Walsh, who first came to
Washington in 1943 to join the
staff of the Daily News, is leaving
her present position to become
sales promotion director for Bon
wit Teller in Philadelphia. Last
spring. the Women's Advertising
Club of Washington named her as
advertising Woman of the
Year"
New TV Models Seen.
Washington area RCA Victor
dealers are guests at showing of
new Victor television models in
the showrooms of the Southern
Wholesalers, Inc. distributors, at
TOT Edgewood street NE. The
showing will continue tomorrow
and Friday. William j. O'Connor,
president Of Southern Whole
salers. said the complete new RCA
Victor television line includes six
21-inch models and six 17-inch
models.
Joseph L. Muller, assistant Sec
retary Of the National Hardwood
Lumber Association has been ad-
vanced to the Office of acting Sec
retary manager He succeeds John
M. Mcclure, who retired yeSter-
day. Mr.. Mcclure has been des-
ignated as president emeritus by
the directors and will act in a
consultant capacity to The associa-
ton from Memphis, Tenn.
During World War II, Mr.. Null
Ter headed the Forest Products
Division of the Commerce Depart
ment and is we'll known here and
throughout the lumber industry.
He represented the United States
at the international lumber con-
ferences in Brazil, Czechoslovakia
and Canada following hostilities.
New Air Service Planned.
Pan American World Airways
announced here today that it ex-
poets sometime this year to start |
tourist-class service in the Pacific |
at least on limited scale. The
disclosure was made in year-end |
summary by the overseas carrier. |
Pan American set both pas
senger and cargo records in 1851, |
with 1.2S9,000 passengers and
77,059.000 cargo pounds. This was
an increase of 1000 passengers
and 21.659.000 cargo pounds over