The Washington times., 1905-01-11
Put Them Out of Business.

ers. but the Master Builders Assocla-
ton as well.
Put Them Out of Business
..Tbe hill, said another critic. will
run every small builder out OF business
and result in giving the big fellows a
monopoly of the building in the District
of Columbia L have been building
houses in Washington for twelve years,
and they stand today as evidence of my
ability to put up substantial structures
II can build better than most of the
master builders here, for the reason that
1 give personal attention to details
which they intruSt TO others.
while l am willing TO put my WORE
against that of the best master build
ers in the District, l do not oeheFe i
could pass the examination which the
proposed board would require Why,
they will have a civil engineer on that
board, sure, and he will ask q9estfonsi
that not one in ten of the small build
erS can answer.
Theory will figure largely in the ex-
aminations and theory is something
with which practical men like many or
the small builders have nothing TO 90
| regard the bill as being aimed at the
rights of the many for the purpose or
favoring the few.
A Bitter Opponent.
One of the most bitter opponents of
the bill is ]. A. Wynkoop. or All New
Jersey Avenue southeast. Mr.. Mynkoop
has been eniisting the interest Of the
business people of Washington in the
matter and proposes, if necessary. 20
call a mass meeting of bulioers, real
estate brokers, and property holders Oh
the District to protest against the meas
ure becoming an act of law.
This is one of the greatest pieces OF
Injustice that has ever been sprung
upon the citizens of Washington, said
Mr. Wynkoop- 1f that billy is passed
knell of the building industry IN the
city, and l have not the slightest doubt
but that there would be a grand exodus
of builders from the Capital.
For the past week or more l nave
been going among business people to
see II something could not be done to
prevent Congress from taking favorable
action in the matter. / have been as
tonished to learn that scarcely anyone
, knew of the existence Of the measure.
Out of fifty real estate men and other
property holders whom / saw. only one
knew that such a biil-a bill which IS
one of great importance to tie well
fare of the District-was even before
Congress
Trust of Big Builders.
IT is my honest belief that the bill
! was gotten up by a eoterie of builders
for the purpose IF forming a trust. II
| received the Endorsement OF the Master
BuiIdersf Association. true enough. but
if one were to go into the personnel OF
that association he would find that its
membership consisted of Il few of the
largest building interests in Washington.
.>ot only was the bIil. drafted to es-
"a liSh a monopoly ca the building in
dustry of the city, but IL has the fur
ther motive Of pracJicaiiy organizing Il
bonding trust The bill provides that
each successful applicant shall have tc
[---- \, = = fsA
| The secret of this clause is an open
book: il Is merely that the already OPP
pressed small builder must pay into the
hands of the trust a premium for fun
nishing bond for MIN.
This is one of the most serious sit
uations that has ever confronted wash
| inston. and ii is the duty OF every c.ti-
zen to fight the oil Powerful in
auenees are back Of it, but if there
/ is concerted action We can succeed in
busting Tie trust.
! DO you realize that the passage of
1 the bill would mean the driving cut of
| very small buildcr2 How many able
], and worthy mechanics ere capable of
answering Il lot Of theoretical cues
tions7 How many can ply the SO for
a license. required by the bili2 How
| many would be able TO furnish bOrd IN
the sum of 5000? II IS one of the Inost
! rreposto rous propositions eyer feistsd
| on a helpless body of people.
Mr.. Richardson, of the firm OF Rich
| ardson & Burgess. was ea'lally emphatic
| In his support of the bill as its oppo-
rents are IN their antagoniSm. Mr.
Richardson represents he burger build
| ing interests of the city. and his opin-
/ ion practically voices the sentiment OF
the Master Builders Association.
The ONLY people who can POSSIBLE
! find objection 10 the bill. said Mr
| Richardson. would seem to me 20 be
i those who wanted to carry on then
! trade In violation OF the building reguia-
| tons. The situation is perfectly clear
| II Is simply a matter OF giving licenses
| 70 the competent only.
| 1T is necessary for plumber. who Is
/ Il subordinate In the construction OF ::
/ building, to have a license, and there Is
no reason why the general oversee
should not also he compelled to pursue
as difficult a course in obtaining his II
! cense If some restraining laws were
not put into effect il would be possible
for n laborer to obtain license as :
| skilled builder
Prom nay point of view all the pro
| visions seem fair, and should cause
no dissa tisfaction. In fact l don't Sc.
why there should be any dissension-