Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1918-09-30
SOME ACTIVITY IN
CONSTRUCTION
Local Firm Of Architects IS En-
gagged in Planning a Hous-
ing Project.

An illustration of the deafness OF the
local construction situation Is furnished
nv the case of one ot the few new plans
recently finished on the boards of city
architect, for which dozen cards asking
for bids. due today were sent out week
ago and for which so far only ono reply
has come to hand and that flat dcclna-
ton Ia figure at all The contractors
have the very good excuse ct no help
and any proposals sent in arc likely TO be
on a cost and percentage basis, winch IS
not greatly favored by owners.
Another indication OF the trend OF things
IS afforded by the ease OF local hrm
who are sub contractors on nearby
housing project their work having been
held back nearly a wear by DELAYS beyond
their control In the mean time, wages ct
their men have gone up 80 per cent on the
price current when their figures were
made. and an agitation is now on foot to
secure So per cent advance on the pre-
sent rate, which if secured would be a
100 per cent Jump on the estimated cost
of the labor item.
The Catholic church Mt Marydcl OF
which Rev NJ A. Cotter is pastor, is
nearly completed. and was visited by the
architect John ] Kennedy. on an IN
slcctlon trlp last week The dcdicatio
services are likely to occur some time
next month \ particularly satisfactory
effect has resulted from the Use IN the
interior plaster finish of the local sand,
which lmpartS n warmth OF tone akin 10
that 81 admired when the French "C'a"n
stone" is used The church seats 100
people
Brown and Whitcsidc. local archtec-
a nth l. ,iuur !
Seclcr. Of Philadelphia in preparing plans
for a>largc housing project for the Emcr-
pencv Fleet Corporation, which Will be
located between Wilmington and Phila-
delphia. possibly in the neighhorhood of
Ridley Park MIR Brown has spent some
time in Philadelphia recently IN prcpar-
INC the necessary studies and tentative
schemes. and has been called IN consulta-
tion with the Washington officials re-
Carding them. and much Of the prclimln-
AIRY work has been approved i Is a
compliment to Wilmington as we'll aS To
the firm that their ability has been thus
recognized.
\ permit has been issued for ono of
the apartment houses included IN the
Union Park Gardens prolec:. the eStimht-
Cd cost of which Is about $4,000.
Three dwellings at 700 702 and lOi
South Franklin street, Will bc erected by
: |, Solcacinski. AT 4 cost OF 2.300 each.
John +. Hcaly and Son are the con
tractors Tor the addition to the plant Of
the Sheet Metal Contracting Company
M Spring Alcv and Walnut street, cost
ing - 900
Plans are ont for bids for alterations
and additions to residence at Clavmont
owned hv i II Worth SIMON and Bias
sctt 2i9 south Jumper street Phiia-
dclphia are the architects
Tho nitcu States i.mplu, mcnt Service
i appealing to the skilled mechanics
ID The country no; engaged Ia w;.r work
to take their important part in rairN ing
out the war program everywhere Loyal
response Is evident. and the field offices
OF the Employment Service are instructed
to cNnedltc the placing Of such apNhca-
tions in positions where thcy viii TIC
most effective. Since the completion
81 the first cantonmCat program men
oi the building trades h'vc not been
IN rs large demand rs other Sklilc,! mach
anics Int because ot the large increase
in the army. immediate additions arc
ia h. made - cantoumcui~ more hospitals
are a. bc built. md army and navy
base, are 10 be enlarged, all q which
mean increased demands for building
craftsmen. 1Er government housing
program for U4r workers and ;hcn
families near >hipzards and mun'loI
plants and in Washington Is we'll under
way and calls for an increasing number
oi men Of the building crafts arc hclnl
received In tho hrsf construction pro
gram thc chief call was for carpenters
because light frame construction pre-
dominated hut owing Il The scarcity
al lumber and surplus supplies n other
building materials on hand, together
with various other considerations the
new building program viii embody all
types al construction This means
that men ot cvcrv building trade art
needed. and the United States Employ
rnent Service experts 10 handle a large
number Of applIcations from men o
construction experience not now engaged
on war work livery effort Is being
made 10y offclals Of the Employment
Service everywhere 10 inform couStruc
tion men that their services arc necessary
to the winning Of tho war, and 70 place
such mon on MAR work rs rapidly a;
I,oS5lblts