Construction

Construction so far this year has been a pleasant surprise to most students of business. According to the statistics on contracts awarded, compiled by the F. W. Dodge Co.--a recognized barometer* of building activity--June building totaled $540,609,600, or only $7,000,000 short of the hgh monthly record established last April. This figure for June represents an increase of 9% over the preceding May, and a 40% increase over June, 1924. In the first six months of 1925, building totaled $2,660,173,700--or $338,000,000 more than for the similar period of 1924.

In June amounts expended were for the following purposes:

Residential purposes $208,582,500 (39%)

Public works and utilities $92,915,700 (17%)

Commercial buildings $92,151,000 (17%)

Educational buildings $64,584,800 (12%)

Industrial buildings $25,161,400 (5%)

* The Dodge reports coyer about seven eighths of the total construction volume of the country. Building during June in New York State and northern New Jersey amounted to $121,996,500--58% of the total reported for the month by Dodge and about 50% of the total construction of the country.