REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I916 253 



COMMON BUILDING BRICK 



The year 1916 opened with great activity along the hnes of 

 building construction. Owing to this increase the supply of burned 

 clay building material in stock had been drawn on to such an 

 extent that very early shipments were necessary from the Hudson 

 River yards. The productive season, of the Hudson valley, closed 

 with approximately 60,000,000 bricks in the yards. During January 

 common brick were selling in the New York market as high as 

 $10 a thousand with an average of $9. This was the highest selling 

 price for common brick since May 1906. During January 191 5, 

 there was sold in this market 8,400,000 Hudson river common as 

 compared with 20,650,000 for the same period of 1916. Many of 

 the larger yards produced throughout the winter months, bringing 

 the stock in the yards to 135,000,000 at the opening of navigation. 

 At the beginning of March common brick were selling at $8.50 a 

 thousand with a slightly smaller demand. In April the price 

 dropped to $8.25 and in May to $8, with a final reduction at the 

 end of the month to $7.50. In June the price rose to $8.25, result- 

 ing from a shortage due to labor difficulties. In July the price fell 

 to a minimum of $7 with an average of $7.50. Clean brick from 

 demolished buildings began to be a factor in the trade with a selling 

 price of $3 a thousand. In September building construction received 

 a setback and combined with labor troubles on construction man- 

 aged to hold the price at $7.25. In October orders for future 

 delivery began to be called and the price rose to $7.75 with a 

 further increase to $8.25 for the first two weeks of November, the 

 month closing at $9.25. Transportation and labor troubles again 

 affected the market. In December 6,000,000 bricks were unexpect- 

 edly placed on the market, but due to the heavy demand had no 

 effect on the price which closed for the year at $10 with a minimum 

 of $9.50. 



