November 8, 1913





RECORD  AND  GUIDE





861





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I BUILDING  MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES I





POSTPONEMENT OF ACTION ON CURRENCY BILL AND THE
BUILDING   CODE   KEEPS   CONSTRUCTION   MONEY  TIGHT.





Denial of Railroads' Application to Boost
Freight Rates Holds  Prices Steady.





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IN a dull building market, material in¬
terests are more concerned with in¬
fluences that are likely to aft'ect future
construction than in the momentary rise
and fall of demand or prices. Accord¬
ingly, the news from Washington that
the Currency bill could not be passed
until sometime after the first of the
new year would have had a depressing-
effect upon building interests here were
it not for the reassuring information
from the same place that the Interstate
Commerce Commission had denied the
application of the Eastern railroads to
advance their freight rates. The first
report had a tendency to encourage
money lenders to continue their con¬
servative policy regarding engagements
for 1914 construction projects, and the
latter report insured slight fluctuation,
if any, in the cost of building materials -
in  New York.

Reports of October construction from
ninety-four of the leading cities in the
country to Bradstreet's show a heavy
decrease both from September and from
October a year ago. The total expendi¬
ture in October was $45,378,512, a de¬
crease of 22.4 per cent, from September,
and of 17.1 per cent, from October, 1912.
October shows the effect of new building
laws in many cities, which caused the
filing of permits in September, to antici¬
pate the changes. Only thirty-eight
cities of the ninety-four showed gains
in October over the like month a year
ago, while fifty-six showed decreases.
For the ten months of the year 1913 the
aggregate value of building was $724,-
507,663, a decrease of 5.9 per cent, from
1912, which year, however, showed a gain
of 7.1 per cent, over 1911. This year's net
decrease from normal is therefore almost
nominal, considering the stress that has
rested upon the money market in 1913.

The result of the election on Tuesday
would seem to presage a prompt dis¬
posal of the building code problem. The
demand is urgent for some definite
action in the matter of determining the
standards of construction in this city,
and it is the opinion of many building
material supply men that with prospects
of less politics and more constructive
action with reference to the ordinance,
the building situation will clear up
quicker than it has heretofore given
evidence of doing. The Herbst code
may yet be forced through the present
Board of Aldermen.

The continued general rigidity of
prices is considered good evidence of
the firm position of material producers.
Steel has been cut to a proportionately
greater extent than has any other basic
building commodity, but few other de¬
partments have followed suit. Portland
cement, which usually is the first com¬
modity to feel the effects of shading,
remains remarkably steady at $1.58.
Common brick is being fairly well taken
and list prices stand. Gravel, crushed
stone and sand are held stiffly, al¬
though the demand has fallen off some¬
what, as usual at this time of the year.
Lumber, especially Southern hardwoods,
are a little nervous over the Mexican
situation, and mahogany stiffened per¬
ceptibly.





THE   CO.MMOiX   BRICK   .M.VRKET.

l.Hst of L'nassigued Barge Loads I*uss Out

ot   W lioiesale   Mariiet.

T HE last o£ the unassigned brick barges on
* the Hudson River wholesale market passed
out tor unloading this week after being held for
almost a month. Unloading repon.s are com¬
parable with those of last week, whicli showed
an advance over the preceding week, frices for
Hudson brick are not particularly firm. Raritan
distributors, however, are holding rigid.y to
their lists, both in this market ana in Newark.
.■Vrrivals at the wholesale docks were in excess
of sales.

Official transactions for Hudson common, hrick
covering this week ending Thursday, *\ov. 6. in
the wholesale market, with comparisons for the
corresponding peiiod last year and a compara¬
tive statement ot Hudson brick unloaded from
barges for con.suniption in this market this
week,  follow ;

1913.
Left over.   Friday  A.  M.,  Oct. 30,  66.

Arrived.        Sold.

Friday,  Oct.  31.................    5                 3

Saturday,   Nov.   1...............    5                 A

Monday,   Xov.   3................    8                 7

Tuesday,   Nov.   4................    0                 2

Wednesday.   Xov.   3.............    8                 5

Thursday.    .Xov.   6..............     4                 4

Total.......................30               25

Sold, but unassigned, Friday A. M., Nov. 7, 0.
Reported  euroute,  Friday A. M., Nov.  7.  6.

Condition of market, dull. Prices. Hudson,
.$------ to .$6.50. Raritans, $6 to $6.5<J. (Whole¬
sale dock N. Y. For dealers' prices add profit
and cartage.) Newark, $7.25 to $7.50 (Yard).
Dull. Left over, Friday A. M., Nov. 7, 71.
HUDSON BRICK UNLOADED.
(Current  and   last   week  compared.)

Oct. 24.......1.008,500     Oct.  31.......1,084,000

Oct.  25.......   *78,000     Nov.   1.......   668,000

Oct.  27.......1,334,000     Nov.   3.......1,212,500

Oct.  28.......1,820,500     Nov.   4.......   535,000

Oct. 29.......1,137,000     Nov.   5.......1,275,000

Oct.  30.......1,420,500     Nov.   6.......1,495,000





.. .6.200,.500





Total......6,804,500         Total.

1912.

Left over,  Friday A.  M.,  Nov.   1, 46.

Arrived.        Sold.

Friday,    Nov.   1................    7               15

Saturday,   Nov.   2...............    8                 9

Monday,   Nov.   4................    8               11

Tuesday,  Nov.  5................    4                 3

Wednesday,   Nov.   6.............    6                 7

Thursday,   Nov.   7.............. 12                 9

Total.......................45               44

Condition of market, dull. Prices. Hudsons,
$6.75 to $7.25. Raritans, .$6.75 to .$7. L. O.
Friday A. M., Nov. 7, 47.

OFFICIAL  SUMMARY.

Left  over,   Jan.   1,   1913..................     113

Total   No.   barge   loads   arrived,   including

left   over   barge   loads,   Jan.   1   to   Nov.

7,   1913............................... 1,730

Total No. barge loads sold Jan. 1 to Nov.

7,     1913.............................. 1,659

Total   No.   barge   loads   left   over,   Friday

A.   M.,   Nov.   7.........................       71

Total   No.   barge   loads   left   over,   Jan.   1,

1912..................................       71

Total   No.   barge   loads   arrived,   including

left overs, Jan. 1, to Friday .K. M.. Nov.

8,    1913...............................  1,[I04

Total No. barge loads sold, Jan. 1 to Fri¬
day A.  M.,  Nov.  8,  1912...............  1,857

Total   No.   barge   loads   left   over,   Friday
A.  M., Nov. 8,  1012....................       47





l'OKTI.A>D    CEME-\T    STE.VDV.

iiKlulrv   for   German   Brands   Improves   a

Llttie Under Sfew Tariff.

ABOUT the only department in the building
material market that has felt the effect of
the new tariff law is that ot German Portland
cement. Under the new quotation ot .$2.10 to
$2.15 for Alsens. the inquiry has been a little
firmer. So far the improvement in demand for
this cement in this market has been slight, how¬
ever, American Portland is quoted at $1.58.
wholesale, dock, N. Y. As a general rule prices
are closely adhered  to.

STRUCTURAL    STBEIj.

Wire   tlie   Best   Factor   in   tlie   Present
Alarlcet.

STRUCTURAL steel and plates are in better
inquiry, although a large proportion of fhe
orders in sight emanate from Philadelphia, Chi¬
cago and the south. .New York is still sluggish
although several important tonnages are being
figured. Wire goods are among the best lines in
the   steel   trades   today.

The demand for reinforcement has come from
a broad field and particularly in the west. The
lower prices established by the mills have en¬
couraged a free movement, specifications con¬
tinue generally full and mills are operating-
more closely to normal capacity. Nails are
equally steady,  but in  this department the east





shows up to better advantage. The demand for
wire rods, aside from the nail and reinforce¬
ment trade, is less active owing to a slower
movement in reinforced concrete work, as cold
weather approaches. They are now quoted
at 27.50 Pittsburgh. Current prices for struc¬
tural steel at tidewater follow:
Beams and channels, up to 14-iu. 1.46^/^ @1.56V.
Beams  and  channels,   over  14-in. 1.46V3@l-56^

.\ngles.   3x2  up   to  0x8..........1.46'/, fe* 1.56%

Zees  and tees   .................. 1.46M. 0(1.56%

Steel   bars,   half  extras..........  l.A(iV2(wl.oiiV2

Univ'l & sheared, 34-in. & under. 1.46Vii(yi..5Gy2
Business in pig iron in the eastern district
continues dull with small orders and few new
inquiries. The lone of the market is easier,
and it is understood that prices in Eastern
Peunsylvania are about twenty-five cents per
ton lower. Southern iron is also being offered
at a reduction of about 25 cents a ton, it being
claimed that $11 tor No. 2 Birmingham can be
shaded for shipment into the Ohio valley. Prices
current tor shipment over ttie fourth quarter of
1913 and flrst half of 1U14 at tidewater;

No.   1   X   foundry.   Northern........16.25@16.50

No.   2  X   foundry.   Northern........15.75(1*16.00

No.   2   plain,   foundry..............15.25^15.50

Gray  forge,  foundry   ...............14.50 @ 14.75

Basic,   Northern    ..................15.00(^15.25

No.  1  Virginia,  foundry............16.50@16.80

No.  2 -Virginia,   foundry............16.0U (lu 16.30

No. 1 foundry.  Southern............15.25(5)15.75

No. 2 foundry.  Southern............15.25 (g) 15.-75

No. 3 foundry.  Southern............14.75 (tji IS.25

No. 4 foundry.  Southern............14.5U@14.75

No.   1   soft.   Southern...............15.25(1*15.75

No.  2  soft.   Southern...............14.73(8)15.25

Gray   forge   .......................14.25fg'14.50

Mottled   T..........................14.00 fe; 14.23





SPRUCE   PRICES   FIRM.
AVest   Virginia   Grades   Are   Sure   To   Ad¬
vance As souu -Vs Demand Improves.

VT, HILE other kinds of lumber are in anything
'' but a firm condition ia the wholesale market.
West Virginia spruce is a marked exception.
Prices are not only holding firm, but the slight¬
est improvement in demand will result in a
sharp advance which would break records. Hem¬
lock is a close second, although the tension is
not   quite   so  great.

Lumber prices in general from manufactur¬
ing sources are decidedly restricted. It seems
to be the policy of producers to let the market
absorb practically all of the present supply. A
reflection of this attitude is shown in the cur¬
rent wholesale price list, which while covering a
range somewhat above actual buying and sell¬
ing prices, nevertheless represents the basis
from which any future increase must be made.
In other words, current list prices are being
shaded to encourage new business. Upon the
slightest increase in demand that looks per¬
manent not only will the shading be discon¬
tinued, but list prices are expected to move upj

Although the average retailer in the outlying
district understands this they are still inclined
to buy from hand to mouth and to expect long
credits. Those who can buy for cash or short-
terms can get very favorable quotations. Ex¬
treme conservatism governs all purchases and
credit is as elastic as it has ever been known
to be.





A1VTHR.\CITE   COAL,   ACTIVE.

Approacli    of    Cold    AVeatlier    Stimulates

Buying;  in Tliis Marlcet.

ANTHRACITE coal has been active for two
weeks, probably due to the approach of cold
weather. Local office buildings and apartment
houses have come in for heavier coal deliveries
on  contracts taken up earlier in the year.

The demand from consumers has been such as
to call for a heavier output at the mines and
some of them could use more men to advantage.
There is a bigger demand for egg sizes and
most of the outlying dealers are finding it diffi¬
cult to get domestic sizes, although there is
nothing like a shortage at the present time.
Steam sizes coming into New York for direct
consumption in buildings show no change in
prices.

Bituminous coal, on the other hand, shows
signs of wavering in prices. An exception must
be made in the case of the higher grades, which
are tie(i up under contract to such an extent
as to be practically out of the market but, with
the general run of soft coals, prices are weaker
and demand has quieted down. It should be re¬
called, however, that summer and early fall
shipments were very heavy.

Consumers are not buying much in the open
market, and with few exceptions are taking all
their contracts called for. It is this fact which
prompts many to believe that the heaviness of
the spot market is only temporary and that the
first touch of winter weather will make things
lively.

Mine bases range from $2.80 to $3.00 on the
better grades, with medium coals selling at
.$2.70 to .$2.75. Odds and ends of nondescript
are offered  as low as $2.60.





TERRA   COTTA   HOUSE   ORGAN.

-Vtlantic   Product   To   Be   Exploited   in   an

.attractive  Periodical,

THE Atlantic Terra Cotta Company is issuing
Number One of Volume One of its new
house organ, "Atlantic Terra Cotta." Typo¬
graphically, it is one of the handsomest books
of its kind that comes to this department. It
is of the new standard magazine size bound
in stiff cardboard and has for a frontispiece a
remarkable picture of the Woolworth Building,
showing in unretouched photograph the beauty
of the matt cream architectural terra cotta this
comp.iny supplied to the general contractors, the
Thompson-Starrett Co. under specification by
Cass Gilbert, the architect.

Us leading article, "Two Skyscrapers," deals
with the application of this facade material
to tall buildings. The general character of the
publications bespeaks the high quality of work
the Atlantic Terra Cotta Company turns out
and is a credit to its editors. It is being ad¬
dressed to architects and consumers.