Los Angeles herald., 1892-08-21
BUILDERS EXCHANGE.
AN ORGANIZATION FORMED TO PRO
TECT THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
Contractors, Builders and Material Men
of the City Unite to Shut Out IRE
sponsib1e and Dishonest Con-
tractors Who Prorate.
Bills.

have recently been formed in Los An
geles, is that of the Builders Exchange,
which has it's headquarters in the Cali
fornia Bank building, at the corner of
Second street and Broadway. The ex-
change is similar in character to other
organizations of its kind, which exist
in all Of the large cities of the United
States. Its membership includes some
eighty-two material men and contract
ors in all lines of trade, every one Of
whom is responsible and honora BILE.
Now, the objects for which the asso-
citation is formed might be mieunder-
stood, and to prevent an erroneous i'm
preston being formed by the general
public, the HERALD will briefly set fort
the benefit not only to members of the
association; but which the people at
large, will derive from its existence.
In the first place, the association Is
not formed as trust to increase prices
or to lower the price of labor, or any
thing Of that nature. 1t will not in any
way interfere or tend to estop competi-
ton among reliable contractors in or
outside of the association for work of
any kind.
| As everybody is well aware, there are
in Los Angeles class of irresponsible,
| dishonest contractors, who are ever
ready to take advantage, not only of the
party whose work they have in hand,
but OF the material men as well. They
complete, or partially complete, con-
tract, and then find that they are going
| to lose money upon it. Instead of meet
ing their obligations with their labor,
| their material men and others, they do
| what is termed prorating their obliga
tions. 1t is to protect the general pub
! lfc against these tramp contractors thai
the association has formed code oI
rules that excludes them from member
ship. Sections 5, 6 and Z of the code
| of rules governing the exchange read
Fifth-Any member Of this exchange
who shall be guilty of Unfair, dishonest
or unbusiness-like conduct in the trans-
action of any business, either in compe-
tition for work or material, or refuse to
comply with contract according to the
terms thereof, or by declining to enter
into contract after the same has been
awarded to Kim, shall be guilty of q
| violation of the rules of this exchange,
and if, after q fair trial, he shall be
found guilty, he shall be liable to sus-
| pension or expulsion, or forfeiture Of
| membership.
Sixth-Any member who, on any con-
tract or work in his charge, fails to pay
all bills resulting from such contract or
work, shall be guilty of violation of
the rules of this exchange, and be liable
to expulsion.
Seventh-After the expulsion of a
member, from any cause, the material
men and sub-contractors shall refuse to
sell or furnish any material or manu-
factured work to such person, exception
spot cash only.
1t will be eeen that the main object
of the exchange is to segregate the
honorable, fair dealing contractor from
theirresponsible, dishonest tramp build
ers who may happen along.
A place of meeting is also provided,
where the material men and and sub
contractors may meet the general con-
tractor, to transact business, thereby
facilitating work. The architect and
public generally, having any work upon
which they desire bid, can also send
to these headquarters. A general meet
ing is held between IL and l O'Clock
each week day, which is open to all.
In fact, all of the purposes for which
the exchange is formed are set out in
the constitution as follows:
The exchange Is formed "for the pur-
pose of furnishing and regulating suit
able rooms for the meetings of said ex-
change, daily or otherwise; to promote
mechanical and industrial interests; to
| inculcate just and equitable principles
Of trade; to establish and maintain uni
formity in commercial usages by rules
and regulations; to acquire, preserve
| and disseminate valuable business in
| formation to adjust differences and
settle disputes between members"
| This explanation ia full, complete and
lucid, and clearly establishes the fact
that the builders exchange cannot help
but prove to be credit to the city OF
Los Angeles and protection to the in
| terests of all.
The exchange is located in the Cali.
fornia Bank building, at the corner OF
Second and Broadway. The telephone
number is So. The officers of the ex-
change are: J.. M. Griffith, presiden !;
| A. Nichols, first vice-president; John
Rebman, second vice president; j. f.
Fosmir, treasurer; John Spiers. secre-
| tary; board of directors, two years, r.
E. Green, William Rommell, II. de
Garmo, F. H, Powell, r. L. Bell; one
year, G. @. Reynolds, w. D. Newell, q.
| Stromee, W. A. Fruhling, HI. s. Huds-
peth; committee on arbitration. John
Rebman, James Gunner, A. A. Nuelie,
w. f. Marshall, A. McNally.
| Ask your druggist for Lightning Fluid.