New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-25
LABOPS COSTLY EXPERIMENT.

THE BUILDING INTERESTS CRIPPLED ny PAST AND
PROSPECTIVE sTRIKEs-FACTs FOR RESTLESS
wORKISGMEN.
Great anxiety and uneasness havo existed Tor
some past among capitalists aud builders, as well
In real circles relative 10 tho probability OF
general strike in the building during the coming
season. Building interests at present are in rather
poor condition. few buildings being erected In COM
parison with past years Tho anxiety consequent upon
know ledge OF this fact has been further aggravaed
by the In labor circles, which devol-
opod into the strikes OF tho gasmen and the buostone
cutters aud threatened TO vast proportions 1t
is true that the workmen In tho building trades wero
given g so eight hours OF labor, still great dssats-
faction exists among many employers and tho vexatous
questions OF time and though not tho subject OF
much discussion agitation, By no means regarded
as Settled and feeling Of insecurity, suspense, and
doubt Is entertained Again, the success OF 20 many
branches OF industry and the welfare Of many homes
are dependent greater less degree upon the con-
tnuaBce and Advancement OF the building interests IN
this CITY, that their inactivity decline Affects nearly
all classes and may prove OF lasting injury to the growth
OF the city aud the development Of Its resources 70
porter OF THE TRIBUNE making Inquiries among
prominent builders and the Mechanics and Builders
Exchange, az well among workmen engaged In tho
various building trades.
James Webb, builder for more than 90 years, stated
that IN his opinion the present duIlgeSs In the building
trade due manly to the strike OF last Summer IL
occurred the period OF greatest activity, and caused
great builders who had contracts TO carry out In
specified time. Builders began to be very cautious
about taking contracts without margin for contin-
geneies; many capitalists who wished 10 build aban-
doned their intention learning tho aspect OF affairs
faot tho damage caused by tho strike cannot readily
be estimated and tho effects Of the labor movement VIII
be felt for long time. The prices pf building materials
too HIGH aud combinations OF dealers have been
mado 10 keep them up. reduction Is OF course IN
eyable from the decreased demand for these articles
IN the present inactivity OF inc traue, on9o tho War'
large quantities OF erals have been used ny fpecu
lator who have put houses by the block, aud have
been careless, aud even reckless IN Tegird 10 inc
strength vi tho building The only aim Oh shcn builders
investigation OF tho disaster at tho Caxton
tho present stagnatlon however Is the Influence that
the strike Of last eNerted The fears OF capitalists
ditlon affairs ggerated, OWING to their super
fetal knowledge, and IN MANY eases, TO their utter ~
encs Of the strike somewhat indirect. People who
thought OF building were led TO believe the enterprise
labor movements have not been Of reassuring
nature. The strike Of tao gnsmen really had great
Influence diverng capital from ali the trades though
IL may be difficult 10 perceive why II should nave Iad
sseh ~ effect The strike OF the stOnecuters hos hal
more direct bearing People will nOs build SO long as
the prospect Is uncertain, aud the only way 10 SUN
Mate actlyy IN the building trade ia to restore conf
denoe 10 the minds OF capitalists and builder The
outlook must be definite and hopeful than 1t has
Abram j. Eeler a builder OF forty years experience,
also thount that the strike OF last year the real
cause Of tie present inactivity building He said that
capitalists could money to better advantage Ia
other directions building In the present. state OF
affairs they could got better return FOR their money p
Investing In bonds and mortgages the high prices OF
building materials were also the result OF the strike
Tho makers brick, lime, aud cement forced to
pay higher wages 10 tho wciLmen tor less Work DONE
aud this increased tue cost OF production Tho exac-
tions OF the rades-m0ns further complicated matters,
aud made building an affair OF chance. Oae phase OF
tho strike vas tho fact That SO many worSmen are NOV
carts for work. large number OF these men WIN go 10
Boston, where In consequence OF the IRE great dea Vi
r. c. Hoe, another builder stated that the present
OF building was even higher than t was during inc
war In addition the price VI lots has been forced UP 10
high figures The prices VI building materials are higher
1t costs 20 build than IL used but build
ers do. Those builders who ordinarily 40 large puSi,
great measure into tie hands OF small builders, VINO
Which builders OF wider experience aud larger
dare encounter There - very Little PROBABILITY O
strike among the wormen Of bnldng trades. Their
demands all conceded TO them, and they now work
at OF - 80 per day OF echt hours. cause OF
the present saton ia the trade winch seems to nave
been generally overlooked lies in the fact OF the great
OF capital Withdrawn from che city by the CHI
cago ana Boston fires IN the payment OF Insurance. DC
Many other builders as well as prominent nemDers OF
with those already given The memOers OF inc trades.
unions, while admitting that their action caused great
The statistics OF the apartment OF Buildings show
very rapid the number OF buildings erected
marked during 1869 and 1870 During the past year now
ever, the dminuon has been even more notable Tbs
may be readily seen IRON tue following comparative
statement OF the number Of buildings Tor which plans
have beeu submitted 70 the Building department;
April s. iS % S,n Observation-Disclosures. ass
Apnl S. 1872 April >. 1851 o4I
will be this the number or new build
ings for which plans have been submitted has ale of
V per cent The numOer Is less than IN
previous year 1861. During January, February.
and March, plans the erection or 52S buildings
were submitted, against 4i6 during the corresponding
period On March l. 1917, 1892 structures were
building in the city March 1, 1873. only l02S
sin gle item OF the from The strike may be estimated
from accurate CALCULATION made by one Of the builders
yiousy named. The work building Of average
and quality ID equivalent to the continuous labor vi
is a year. Assuming this calculation 10 be cor
rect that number Of projected buildings In 1879,
strikes had not occurred would have equaled the
NUMBER in 1871 concluded that the amount Of work
lost would equal the labor OF man for IA 565 years aud
this labor paid tue rate OF only $1,000 per year, would
amount to va $4,000. This IL must be renlemDeredns
only ngla OF the Dill OF costs OF the srike