The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-02-16


realize the strength of the nation or
the close political and economic con-
facts that have been brought about
with the world in general and which
will influence all of our future ac-
tivities.
We are not going to get the irnni-
grants we received formerly: prices of
labor are higher in Europe than they
We're; prices of materials are higher
in Europe than they have been for
years, in some cases higher than they
are here, and the influence of ting Eu-
ropean markets on our prices must
be taken into consideration.
Prices of materials in the building
line have increased sixty per cent in
the face of a declining demand. Prices
of other commodities have increased
one hundred and nine percent.
Former Secretary McAdoo said in
substance on November II, 1918, in in
structing the supervising architect to
commence building for the treasury
department THE normal activity of
the building industry will facilitate
the transition of general industry
from war to a peace basis
The purpose OF this division OF the
department of labor is to interest the
nation in public work and private con-
struction. When figures and princl-
pies are submitted to the public, each
must use his own judgment as to the
prudence of his individual undertake
ing. We are simply helping to bring
about realization in this great basic
industry that conditions have changed
Can Fix Labor.
During the reconstruction, the labor
and materials which might otherwise
be idle can be fixed through this basic
industry into permanent wealth which
has earning power and pays taxes.
otherwise this labor and materials will
go to waste. The activity of this in
dustry 1t literal reconstruction.
Deferred construction is a part of
our war debt-the first part to be paid
because through reconstruction we are
making good our impaired facilities
and putting ourselves into better con-
dition to repay the remainder OF our
debt
This division is composed OF men
with practical training. Their desire
is to present the truth to the nation.
Information obtained is being fur
nished to the public and transmitted
directly to parties interested.
The labor department stands for in
creased production, while preserving
the efficiency or the capital value or
the individual worker as it is only
by increased production that the COM
forts OF life may be made more uni
versal. A decrease in consumption
may make them cheaper but the COM
forts of life becoe thus less and less
available to all.
All recognize that the working man
would have been ground out Of ex-
istence before now if it had not been
for the union. but the value of the
dollar received by him as wages Is
the value he established by the quality
OF the service he renders.
Cost Was Less.
It is probable that the cost per
cubic foot of modern fire proof build
ings, up to three years ago at least.
was less than the cost per cubic foot
of the old six STORY, non elevator,
non-fire- proof building of thirty years
ago This is because of the rapid adj
vance in the art. the manufacture OF
materials in large quantities and the
more ready assembling of the compo-
nent parts through Standardization OF
forms. In the assembling of these
materials there are one to two hun