The sun., 1918-12-22
BUILDERS WAGES
HIGHEST EVER PAID
One Reason Why Construction Is Slow
-Bricklayers at $42 a Week
Tops the List

Labor was never so high as to-day.
The service of men necessary in con-
sirlCtion work is rated especially high.
Comparative figures show that never
before in the history Of the building
craft have higher wages been paid.
lntl now builders were in the habit
~ referring TO the wage rates follow
< the close OF the civil war as the
y gh water mark in the matter of COM
0cnsation to skilled and unskilled
auor Those wages are much below
TIE rates now prevailing in the build
!ne field. There is a possibility that
'sher wages will be demanded by all
'-a1cs at the start OF next year. These
rg.ss will make a considerable differ
'1ce in the cost of future construction
hen compared with construction Of
few years ago. The difference will be
rom 20 to 40 per cent. in the matter
Co.. labor cost alone, while material
'osts have gone up as much IL not
more than labor.
There Is to he no decline in wages
Tor some time to come. Wages as a
rule are slow to come down once they
re up This is particularly true Of
dbor in the building industry. Brick
ayers, housesmiths. carpenters, plumb
erS electricians, all demand high
wages now. A bricklayer. according
% the latest wage schedule will earn
i42 !l a week OF six working days.
The housesmith and the stone settlers
will also receive 81 day for their
services. Under the present schedule
they are the highest paid men in the
building line.
Back IN 1879, when the West Side
VS. the scene OF a great building
boom brcklayers were paid only SIS
week, carpenters. Sl2; painters. SIS,
and pIasterers, SIS. Ten years before
This wages were a good deal higher.
B7ck.ayers received from $27 to $50 a
week: carpenters from sgt to $50 a
AeeN and plasterers were paid as
high rs s36 a week.
The building craft at that time had
'll limited number OF skilled work.
''s The great civil strife had de-
manded the life OF lot of us men who
we're members Of the Twelfth Regi-
nent which was the mechanics regi-
nent IN those days. The regiment saw
lot OF service. Carpenters and ma
'ons and others in the building trades
made II point TO keep filled the ranks
" '"'> 90 -,.-.-lt. Their patriotism and
'T1H" in the valor of their craftsmen
'ost NE o'ty much In after years, be-
aus the entire building business had
'e reoTganized and trained. so few
SKILLED men were left after the four
Ears lighting 10 return to their for
ner calling
somewhat similar condition now
visits, due OF course to the selective
"s'r and voluntary enlistment in the
'''loe OF the country. Our casualties
ave oeen many and the armies are
~" IN the field, so II is reasonable to
prose that the building trades oil
~" city ore short OF the number OF
. . '6ey would have in times OF peace
SIC building activity.
ne return Of the army will liberate
'.'nher Of builders. so also will the
a., .N down OF munition plants. where
t.I wont when the Government,
,r,'H construction work here. Wages
-" not he lowered, however, and it is
~. oeAef that they will remain high
,,n unSe or economic conditions pre-.
NM When rentals and food prices
o., ",f cost OF necessary commoditie:
N"eaper then wages will come