The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-02-24
IMPROVEMENT SOON N
BUILDING INDUSTRIES

E,tg1t - - <Aas.l >Js<S IA iatsN XIX X
~ ~ q -SS..e ,,a,xnstkAa,, fatrffo OF the
building industries, throughout the
country. according to reports received
during tho last few days by the in
formation and education service Of
the department of labor. The strike
situation on the Pacific coast has i'm
proved and many OF those who are in
touch with the New York situation, do
not hesitate TO express the belief that
an early settlement will be had in the
building trades controversy which has
been delaying work there
1t Is apparent, also, that the state
nents made T. Secretary OF Commerce
Redheld and Secretary of Treasury
Glass in VIII "a the former gave posi-
tive assurance of the governments de-
termination to go into the price sltua-
ton and the latter suggested there was
no reason why necessary building pro-
tects longer should be delayed, are ex-
erting helpful influence
Another development calculated to
reflect confidence tn industry and, In
directly to benefit building and con-
struction work, is the United States
Sc mates action In providing a way for
an early settlement by the government
on war contracts both verbal and writ
ten. The uncertainty In this field, so
II Is asserted by many Industrial au-
thornies who have been in touch with
the department of labor was holdin e
back plans on many important I'M
provements and extensions to Industrial
plants.
A casual review OF the building In
tustry publications. made by the divi-
sion of public works and construction
developments of the Information and
education service. indicates last week
was off-cclor on building and con-
struction work, due undoubtedly, 10
the growing uncertainties incident to
tho troubled labor conditions east ard
west The decision OF the shipbuild-
ers on the Pacific coast to stand by
their agreement Ia accepted as pre-
cedent and has led many building and
construction interests TO believe or
ganized labor In not TO desert its policy
nj living up to it's contracts. Some ~
these builders have asserted that the
high coat Of materials and labor was
not the deciding factor in holding back
projects in which they were Interested
They defended their reluctance to ven
ture on building project on the
grounds that they were uncertain as to
what labor would do,
These uncertainties presently WITH re
eliminated In the opinion OF many
building authorities reporting TO the
department of labor.
Secretary Of Commerce Redheids VT
tcrsnces on price adjustments leads
r~tany. industrial authorities TO believe
that price reduction will be In ratio
ITO the increase IN production all down
tho line. except IN such insta noes where
prices have been irexcusably high II
is contended that high prices in build
ing materials do not come under this
latter classification. but are the result
OF substantial causes which preclude
any marked decline for several years
As the information and education ser.
vice Of the depa rtment of tabor gathers
rev evidence on the general shortage
Of dwellings through the country. II Ia
watching the home building activities
with deepening interest. II the Con-
trail West. where agriculture Ia rro-
! found factor In the prosperity ~ the
peorie. there Is more evidence Nr re-
tivities in dwelling building than else
here, Even there the residential
building in far hslow normal. hut Il
shows encouraging signs OF getting un-
der way.
From many localities come com
plants of diHiculty experienced In Oh
tanning loans on prospective buildings
Leaving out ~ consideration all OF n
features of the question, frora he
standpoint OF making available almost
50 200 ono for longtime loans on dwell
'nrs. the department ~ labor in con-
jcct would be beneficial. The build
ting and loan associations tire coun-
FRY over, are getting behind this ari-
tation and II is now certain tho next
congress viii be asked 10 establish a
system of federal home loan banks.
much Ike the federal farm loan bank
system. in which the building and loan
associations may find a way % make
, hauid . larre part of- thcir sflrst real
estate mortgage assets
Among the exceptional Building pro-
jects coming to the attention OF the de-
partrnent OF labor last week are the
following:
/ New York city. \ .f.75o.enh ara-t-
mont Is to hc built on the corner of
Fifth avenue and Seventy
street. Block and Slender will build
thirty bungalows at Couey Island. A
building to cost from &2,5a0.oHo to
$4,000 is planned for Seventh ave-
! nue. and Thirty ninth street. Work is
! ordered begun on the Masonic temple
at Twenty-third and the Parkway. The
cost In TO be s75o,0NH
| Rochester, n Y. is to have a $3.50
| 600 kodak factory.
! In Cleveland Ohio, the fourth year