New-York tribune., 1919-02-18
Ask for Stop in Price Fix
ing as Means to Return
of Normal Conditions
Might End Labor Trouble
Advocate Construction Now
Authorized, Cost of Which
Has Been Appropriated

Words Of approval were heard
Yesterday throughout the architectural
and building world for the suggestion
of The Tribune that the Federal gov
ernment start at once the erection Of
buildings throughout the country
which have been authorized by Con-
gress and for which money already
has been appropriated.
A few readers regard The Tribune's
proposal as approval for "pork bar
rel" legislation and withheld their ap-
proval Of the plan until they learned
that The Tribune still is unalterably
opposed to that type Of legislation and
that the buildings which it suggests
be built at this time were provided
for long ago in appropriation bills and
the money for them is lying in the
Treasury waiting to be spent.
Among those who gave most hearty
support to thee idea of stimulating
private building through government
activity were several builders and
architects Of national reputation. Most
OF these men seldom speak for publi-
cation and they vera especially de-
slrous OF not being quoted in this
connection because they feared that
10 lend their names to such a pro-
nosal might cause the feeling that
they were talking In their own in
terest, but practically all of them
agreed that without government CO.
operation revival Of the building in
custry in this country would be ex-
trenely slow and uncertain.
Two points Of The Tribune's plan
met with their especial approval-one,
that the government cease fixing prices
Tor material and labor, and the other,
that AL contracts be let on the lump
sum basis Most Of those who ex-
Eressed their views said that if ma
terlal and labor prices are permitted
10 take a natural course they will be
adjusted more quickly and with great
er satisfaction than is possible under
government direction.
AS regards prices for materials.
many builders were certain that il the
government IN letting contracts would
permit general contractors to 20 into
the open market for their supplies an
almost mediate lowering Of prices
generally would result. They tell Of
steel prices which are uncertain merely
because the manufacturers do not know
,he future conditions Of their own
~ia ldCy QcCidIo CQelr Dol13f
that If bids were asked for TODAY on
large contracts the prices received
would mark a large decrease from cur
rent rates.
with the nationwide building strike
starting to-day, contractors are agreed
that for the government to begin
great amount Of construction at this
time would be Of material helm in
settling the trouble. Most of the un-
rest is thought to be due to uncertainty
OF future employment.
Builders and architects, through
their organizations, are ready to adopt
The Tribune's proposal and NAV ask
congress to pass revolutions looking to
the imme date starting of all construc-
ton work for which plans and specif-
cations have been prepared and for
priated money. They are decidedly
opposed to any new "pork barrel"
schemes and declare that any money
appropriated hereafter should be spent
IN productive ventures only. They be-
lieve with The Tribune that any new
legislation providing for future un~
necessary construction not only will
waste money but will interfere with
legitimate building operations CON
Quoted by private enterprise.