Columbia University Libraries Digital Collections: The Real Estate Record

Real estate record and builders' guide: v. 43, no. 1111: June 29, 1889

Text version:

Jtine 39, 1889 Record and Guide. 915 materials and workmanship required for covering with bin mansai-d roof, and repairing and i-epalnting allof the exterior of tbe department building, ad avenue and llth street. Tbe Dock Commissioners will receive bids at Pier A, North River, until Monday, July 8, at 1 o'clock p, m,, for removing tbe existing crosswalk, eoi-th, etc., fi-om tbe newly-made land extending from about 30 feet uortherly of pier, old 39, to about the northerly side of pier, uew 21, Noj-tb River, which is to be paved, and preparing for and paving the same with grauite or Staten Island syenite blocks, and laying crosswalks. Estimates will be received by bbe Commissiouers of PubUc Works, at No. 31 Chambers sbreeb, room 6, uutil Tuesday, July Oth, at 12 o'clock, for sewers in tbe followiug streets; Front sbreeb, bebween Flebcber street and BurUng slip; Front sbreeb, bebween Dover sbreet and Peck slip; 65tb street, between Avenue A and lat aveime, with alteration and improvement to curve at 65th street and Avenue A; 94th street, between 1st and 3d avenues; for alteration and improvement to sewer in 139th sbreet, between Boulo\-ard and second manhole east of Broadway; 1.53d street, between 10th avenue and summit west of 10th avenue, with alteration and improvement to curve at 153d streefc and 10th avenue; West street, between Jay and Desbrosses streets, connecting witb sewer to be constructed by the Depart¬ ment of Docks tbrough Pier No. 39; also between Canal and Desbrosses str-eets, with alteration aud improvement to existing sewers in Watts, Desbrosses, Vestry, Hubert, Beach, North Moore, Franklin and Harrison streets. Proposals wiU be received by the School Trustees of the 12bh Ward, at the Hall of the Board of Education, No. 146 Grand street, untU 9.30 o'clock A. M., Wednesday, July 10, for altering, etc.. Primary School building Ro. 23, and by tbe Executive Committee of the Normal College for making general repairs, painting, etc., and for sanitary improvements at the Nor¬ mal College buildings. Bids will be received by bhe Commissioner of PubUc Works unbU Friday, July 13, ab 13 o'clock M., for tbe foUowing work: For sewer in 92d sbreet, between West Bnd avenue and Boulevard; 96th sti-eet, between Sth avenue and summit west of Sth avenue, with alteration and improvement to curve at 96tb street and Sth aveuue; 102d street, between Harlera River and 1st avenue; 107tb [street, between Manhattan and Sth avenues, and 140th ■ street, between Boulevard and Hamilton place; also for regulating aud grading 147tb street, from the Boulevard westerly a distance of 500 feet and setting curbstones and flagging sidewalks therein. Special Hotioea, The Material Mens' Mercantile Association, established a little over a year ago, hafe proved of great value to such dealers in materials and supplies as bav e made use of ite services by becoming subscribers for the really valuable information tbey furnish relative to tbe standing and opera¬ tions of Duilders, building contractors, carpenters and builders, and masons aud builders in New York and Brooklyn. Among the numerous first-class firms mcluded among its subscribers, many have seut strong testimonials certifying to the promptness and valueof the services rendered by tbis association. An associabion of bhis character was long needed by bhe material meu of these two cities, and is receiving their hearty support. The offices of tbe association are located in the Tribune building, 154 Nassau street, wbere every information wiU be furmshed relative to the plan and scope of their system and method of business. Among tbe most enterprising of Yorkville real etitate brokers and agents is WiUiam S. Anderson, who is now located ab No. 1342 Sd avenue, Mr. Anderson commenced business about seven years ago iu a little frame ofl5ce about 10 feet square, ab N^, 183 East 73d street; from tbere be moved, about tbree years ago, to occupy a half of the store No. 135S 3d avenue,' His business bas increased to sucb a surprising extent that be has been forced to move to bis present quarters, wbich are regarded as among tbe nicest offlces up town. Mr. Anderson is a real estate owner himself wibh a large capibal ab his back, and has among his customers some of the richest and mosb influential men of his locality. Bound Volumes of the Kecord and G-uide. Subscribers andothers can purchase at this office years 1887 aud 1888 of The Record anp Guide, handsomely bound in half morocco. This is a rare chance for real estate men wbo cannot afford to wait whUe their Records are being bound. Volume XLII., the last half of 1888, or any other single volume, can be had for $4.75 per volume, or S9.60 per year. BIIILDING MATEItlAL MARERT. BRICKS.-There is really very little that can be called positively new on the market for Common Hards. Sellers retain the advantage and have foi-ti- fied it somewhat, if anything, since our last report, as values that wore at that time just attained and a trifle uncertain, have now become well and thoroughly established villi demand subniittinfr in a prompt and salisfactory manuer. Inrteed. witb really liberal receipts some of the trade is lull ou the average as at any time tbis season. The outlet has not onlv afford¬ ed a complete balance, but buyers in raanycases have continued to engage parcels ahead of ari-ivals, espe¬ cially where tbey were desirous of securing cer¬ tain fitvorite and special makes. About all preseut purchases practically represent an immediate con¬ sumption, and we hear less from the grumblers who a short time ago were rather inclined to assume Ihat chances for the season had been over-estimated, the ruling conditions simply indorsing the theory that work was siinply nnder a momentary delay with revival sure to follow iu due and proper tirae. There is as usual a great deal of talk about wanting the best of quality, and a portion of the cuEtom does unquestionably feel willing to pay a small premium tor a close selection, but the general conditions of stock are good enough, has witle a distiactiou between the grades as last season. Advices from along the river iniJicate that manufacturers are woi-king and shipping as steadily as possible, with a chance that there may be a little lull during the middle of next week on account of the holiday. Pales retain the attention of buyers te a thoroughly satisfactory degree and are leported as commanding full former figures promptly, LATH,—Larger arrivals have taken place, and while most of them were sold without much of a search there was considerable irregularity in prices according to quality, Onthehest goods last week's figure is reported, and S3.I5 therefore remains far on top, but there has been quite a business done at JS.IO per M, and some of the poorer lots of Maine stock, un¬ derstood to be mostly from Machiar, went as low as $3,00 per M, Dealers as a, rule, it is said, have been working supplies Into consumption with quite an amount of freedom, and receivers therefore depend upon a continued very good tlemand, hut are making no great claims about scant arrivals to come, LIME.—Further arrivals of Eastern bave taken place and found, a fair demand; the distribution into consumption being full enough to keep a few dealers constantly on the market waiting for cargoes as they came to band. So far as knuwn or made public no change has been developed in value. Ot ^tate stock the sale is also reported as full and satisfactory, with no difficulty experienced in obtaining full former rates all around. LUMBER.—Between deliveries of late called for upon contract and new demand the movement of stock from yard has increased somewhat, aud general local consumption is unquestionably fuller. The re¬ lies upon the market for first hand goods, however, is not very du-ect, as a great deal of the business is really nothing mure thau a delaj^eil trade for which dealers have been waiting some little lime and were prepared for iii the way of stocks and assortments, Buli; parcels, however, are by no means neglected, and offerings from interior and coastwise sources secure about the average measure of atteution and reason¬ ably prompt bids x'/liere quality is in every way first- class, tb-ough there is resistance to all attempts to en¬ hance values, Uuyers are not inclined to ''bear" the market, but as a rule seem well posted us to posi tion at primary points, and say there is no sound basis upon which an advauced liue of value can consistently be claimed except on one or two woods. Eastern Spruce has about tbe usual market. If there happens to he a httle more stock available thau usual buyers flnd itout as quickly as any one, and are pretty sure to develop a sudden and somewhat re¬ markable indifference toward the offering, but on a scanty supply there seems to he always an anxiety to get a little more stock, witb an intimation given about bidding fuller rates, and there is slight fluctuation accordingly. Receivers, however, have managed to control the position fairly well thus (ar this season and 3a,v they can do so for some time to come, not so much upon the plea of a scant supply of logs as upon tbe claim that the mills have been running so much on specials as to prevent any important cut of ran¬ dom, especially in the way ot attractive and popular sizes. As quite a^streng then ing feature to the posi¬ tion atthe moment may be noted the condition of affairs at Bagcor, Me, All the steam mills at that city have been compelled to shut dowu on account of a strike among the workmen over a matter of both time and wages, and the latest advices aay that the strikers are now endeavoring to induce similar action on the part of operatives at the water mills up the river, though the latter have no real cause for com¬ plaint. If this affair continues for any length of time It must, of course, make considerable difference in supplies of Imnber and a natural hardening of value. Piling retains the confitience of the principal receiv¬ ers. Demand has not been (]uite so fuil as yet as hoped for ac the commencement of the season, but there are a great many places where it seems certain stock must be wanted eventually, and with chances against a liberal receipt there is little hesitation about floating out anything desirable for which buyers will not promptly pay full rates. HecKlock ie firm, aud especially so the Pennsyl¬ vania product, for aside from its scarcity the particu¬ lar favor shown that grade by many consumers gives It additional support. There is no general buoyancy on the market, however, as offerings from the North and even from some sections of Pennsylvania nave been rather fuller of lar«, and buyers would be more inclined to seek substitutes than pay an advance over current rates. Indeed, some refuse to suhmit as ic is, so far as top line of valuation may be concerned. White Pine really shows no great change. There is considerable talk in one way or another about lessen¬ ing or increasing demand, but taken ali iu all the aggregate movement does not vaij- to any extent, and on cost nearly all grades are rimning much the same as last year. The increased demand and better prices tor Uppers predicted does not as yet seem to have materialized, and for other grades sold into dealers' hands for yard assortments intimations of occasional shadings are giveu. Desirable box, however, may be depended upon to retain favor at good prices, and also ali standard shippers, as the lull export move¬ ment has kept the supply of such well sold up. Yellow Pine has very good demand in some quarters, including now and then full orders executed here on Eastern accouut, and more or less f, o, b, trade in addition to the local call, hut the business is not free or entirely satisfactory, uor is it certain that the line of value is fully maintained. Natui'ally the effort is to give matters as cheerful and promising ac appear¬ ance as possible, hut the market evidently has failed expectations in some respects, and there is probably an unwillingness to admit disappointment, especially after the very elaborate efforts made tocontrolaffans for the season. Carolina Pine is again spoken of with cheerfulness, and operators do uot act as though they had nmch to find fault with so far as demand is concerned, but some do complain over inability to keep up with their orders, cei-tainly not a bad feature. Buyers make no objection whatever to former cost, hut are particular as to quality, aud manufactm-ers who preserve a high standard in that respect, get the cream of the business. Hardwoods find no increase if animation, and there is little of special interest on the market to which ref¬ erence has not beforo been made. Poplar sells some¬ what irregularly but runs up a fair aggregate move¬ ment from week to week, aud ash is also in lair favoi-, with prices for both kinds of stock well sustained. The offerings of stuff from prunari' points aie not libera! or forced, but huyei-s know where to fiud any ordinary assortment or amount if they want it, witb mauuf aqf,urers rather anxiously waiting for the call. Shingles meet with fair general consumptive de¬ mand from all regular outlets and export orders for small lots hei-e and larger parcels .f o. b. are not to- frequent. Offerings seem to balance the caU and prices mle steady upou about a former basis of valu¬ ation. GENERAL LIIIIIBER NOTES. THE WEST. The Timberman says; There are numerous people who seem to be imbued with the idea that hecause there have been heavy rain stonns m Michigan, that the logs cut last winter will be all run out of the streams, boomed out by the boom companies, the mills kept running, the lumber piled on the docks in abundance, and that there is to be no shortage of either logs oi lumber this season ivith which opinion the Timberman, in the light of other facts and sound logic, cannot coincide. That manv of the logs which seemed to be hopelessly hung up will reach the boom limits is undoubtedly'a fact and tbat the different boom companies iu Mxchigan'and especiaUy on the east side, will tie out many logs which were not expected, is also undeniable:'but it must not be forgotten that the estimates of shortage in the log crop were hased, partially at least, on con¬ siderations entu-ely outside and beyond the question of logs which had been hauled to the hauking grounds, aud which were possibilities for future operations. Many millions of feet of logs were left on the skid¬ ways on the Au Sable, the Au Gres, and on several streams tributary to the Tittabawassee by the prema¬ ture and unexpected departure of the snow which necessitated the abandonme t of camps by heavy Ol erators. Of course these logs are beyond the i-each of floods and dams, and irretrievably lost to the mills for the present sawing season. Ia the nest place the disappearance of the snow prematurely, and the con¬ sequent abandonment of camps, before many of the operators had cut then anticipated crop of iogs. is an¬ other important consideration which must not be lost sight of, for the reason that the log shortage to that extent is final, and " June freshets'''«re powerless to supply tbe deficiency. One other feature of this question seems to have been overlooked or ignoi'ed in the consideration of this subject by the papers which have been instrumental in establishing the generallv accepted opinion that " all the hung up logs will come out of the streams," is that the two months' drought had so dried up tbe swamps aud small tributary streams that the rainfall whicb promised such pro¬ lific results io their theoretical com lusion will fail of extensive practical results, because the water suppiv will at once eshaust itself on the cessation of the rain aud the consequent lack of a continuous source as in the spring months when the melting snow acts as a constant feeder. And referring to Chicago yard trade as follows: Good lumber is not very plenty, nor in particularlv good demand. Dealers in tlie-East are catering pretty well to their own trade, and not leaving much room for the Western wholesalers to shp in and come out with profit. The handling of good lumber is rapidly becoming a specialty liere. One firrt. now baudles notlimg but upper grades, and only caters to the wholesale trade, doing wbat is commonly known a» "neighboring,'- selling to other members ofthe trade, wbo, in tui-n, peddle it out tothe retailers and local consumers. This firm spoken of is selling the cleari'st kind of clear lumher at 838 per thousand ■ ■' D" strips at 820; " G " strips, $25; " B " and better,' bJ4 per thousand. Good No, 1 fencing has been sold for even Sl,^ per thousand, and No. 3 boards bring $ia,SO. Four inch "U" has sold at $24; four inch "D." »30; four inch ■■B," »39. These priees are above the ordinary, because the stock is so carefully selected. ■' Tbe Northwestern lumberman as follows' Log rafting seems to be largely on the increase iu the Northwest this season, aud, though rafts have been broken up by storms in some eases, leading to expense in gathering the logs up, and actual loss of some ot them, the lumbermen do not appear to eet discouraged. Hafts coataining fTom l,Ood;iiOO te^,000,-