The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1911-02-09

transcripts of the evidence given were
made A transcript was furnished daily
to each of the two factions of labor;
one faction consisting of the electri-
clans. plumbers. steam filters. steam
filters helpers, fathers. roofers and
sheet metal workers, called the Build
ing Trades Department of the American
Federation of Labor; the other faction,
called the Associated Building Trades
Council. represented bricklayers, car
penters. cement fnishers, plasterers,
bod carriers and laborers. A third
transcript was furnished the contrac-
tors association A fourth transcript
was kept on file for use of any one
who desired to consult 1T. The hearings
were public and an opportunity was
] given to all interested to be heard The
plan of your committee was outlined
to the various sides. and suggestions
| were asked for as to the best method of
| arriving at true condition OF affairs
| In addition to the public hearings
your committee conducted independent
inquiry by having prepared copies of
plans of three buildings erected in Gary
in 1910. The plans selected had been
figured in open competition. and the
bidders were not exclusively members
of the contractors association. The
! committee selected a twostory brick
store and fat broadway building. a
brick two-story three flat building and
a small frame cottage.
Got Enough Figures.
These plans were forwarded to sur
rounding points, where the same condi-
tions as to freight rates and materials
Shnnld nd eli
Unfortunately the limited time per-
mitted us for the preparation of these
plans and Specifications, together with
the short time allotted for the making
of the necessary estimates and the re-
turn of the figures to US, resulted in our
obtaining figures that for the basis OF
comparison are of little value. How
ever, as the question of high cost has
not been disputed here. we were unable
to obtain from other sources. explain
ed later figures enough upon which tc
base our findings on fiat question.
In addition to these lines of inquiry
we had printed a list of questions
which were mailed to contractors ma
terial men, architects and investors
These questions were mailed to al
contractors in Gary, in so far as we
were able to obtain names and ad.
dresses. And to avoid any oversight
additional copies were furnished rep
resentatives of the various factions in
. terested. 107 copies of these question.
were mailed, 50 to members of the
contractors association, 30 to othel
, contractors and s to outside investors
, We received in response to our inquir,
, As replies from members of the con
: tractors association and IL from othe
, contractors.
Record Of Sessions Big.
t The transcript of our daily proceer
ings consist of 207 closely typewriter
pages and covers the testimony OF 4
different witnesses. In cases where on
, side has affirmed and the other denie,
on vital questions, we have conducte.
: independent inquiry and to that en-,
, had had before us union men in variou
5 crafts, unbeknown to their leaders
, Mayor Knots was of material assist
/ ance to US in the decision of the mucl
: discussed lumbers' license question
: These hearings have brought before u
l in the neighborhod of so witnesses 4
r all.
NO Statistical Report.
We have had neither time nor Cd
: portunity to make compiled repor
that would be of statistical value, an
5 consequently in our report of finding
t we made attempt to give actua
: figures.
= We have made this long explanation
: of our methods of investigating 4
1 order that you may appreciate the six
o Of this undertaking and the fact tina
we have made an earnest and sinc.i
effort to arrive at true conclusion, 1
n our findings, which follow.
d We are convinced that the cost O
: construction in Gary has increased eac
s year from 1908 to 1911. We find tina
S during this three year period, condi
e tions have steadily improved as t
), transportation and facilities for hand
d ling material; making possible not onl
e the more economical delivery Thereof