Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-30
building for Profit and Patriotism.

tlclr theory. Hats of TO them.
building for Profit and Patriotism.
| \ the industri reconstruction of the world,
following the cataclysm which all but
Suitcd ii, the single item OF building is stag
ecring in the immensely of its proportions.
But, while the amount of work that awaits
transcends the limits Of the imagination, it
presents in itself the answer to the world
wdo question, how arc the millions Of men
from the domohilzed armies to be reabsorbcd
into pcacc-time pursuits? In its turn it fur
nishes new perpcXitics for, in the Herculcan
task TO be accomplished and in the vista Of
new market places thus opened with their
drain OH material and labor, there is raised
bar TO the hope that there will be in the
near future very material reduction in
costs
face Of these continued wartime prices. it is
going TO be no easy task to draw it from its
hiding places for this essential worlds work.
How TO attract capital, which means that it
must be assured reasonably against loss. thus
making possible an early resumption Of the
building industry, quickening the life OF the
various professions, trades and Industries
with which ii is allied or into which it
ramides. giving employment to tens of thou
sands OF returning soldiers and speeding ma
uohal prosperity. is the great problem to-
day that demands solution. And by this is
in millions, but that of the average citizen
who contemplates investing his savings in
nothing more pretentious than modest home.
The problem belongs to Richmond vitality
as TO every other community in the United
States and the countries that have been torn
by war
1t is estimated by Frank w. Skinner. in a
recent address, that the country's normal
volume OF prewar building was not less than
100000 a year During the period of
nigh prices and governmental restrictions
building came to a virtual standstill. so that
an additional 100000 or more has
piled up and is awaiting the rcsump tion of
activity Add TO this the work OF recon-
struction in France, Belgium and other Eu-
ropean countres-in France alone it is est-
mated that the services of 100000 men for
twenty years will be required to put it
its prewar footing-to say nothing of the in
creased activity that peace is expected to
bring with the resumption Of national in
dustrial and commercial rivalry. and one be-
gins to see the size of the task that lies ahead
OF the worlds builders. One also can under
stand from this why radical decrease in
the cost OF building materials may be cx-
pected TO follow hard upon the signing OF
the peace treaty.
Mr.. Skinner, an expert in this line fore
sees that high prices will probably persist
for long time with only gradual decreases
except in the most inflated instances" He
is strengthened in his belief by the new fields
being opened up to American labor and ma
tcrials, lin South America. in Africa. in
colonial and island territories that have been
depleted and neglected through the results
Of war and by its termination are offered
to us for exploitation. the total of which is
"A staggering amount that undoubtedly cX-
ceeds the maximum capacity of this coun-
try, great as it is and as much as ii will be
expanded"
Herein is lesson that may be taken to
heart by Richmond and Virginia builders
that little in the way of profit is to be gained
by delay and, despite present high prices,
there is small chance OF loss in waiting no
longer TO begin operations. For upwards Of
four years construction in Richmond ncces-
sarily has been limited to the absolute es-
scntals. The delayed projects of these years
have accumulated and Il large amount OF
work is contemplated to take Of the
city's rapidly growing needs Prospective
builders are holding back for the sheer drop
in prices which is nowhere in sight thereby
ncglcctng an opportunity to serve the public
good, as we'll rs TO make profit for them
selves. The element Of probable loss thus
eliminated through the practical certainty
that the bottom is not going TO drop out of
the material market. there is no reason why
they should not proceed with the execution
OF their plans
Let public buildings, public works and i'm
provcmcnts. and private enterprises go for
ward and the beneficial effect almost i'm
mediatcly will become apparent There is not
an artisan. a banker, q ShOpkccpcr or a pro-
fossOnal man who will not feel the refresh
ing impulse of the revivifcd industry, and
there will be removed any danger that may
exist through unemployment and its attcn-
dant evils. lie who builds now builds for
patriotism and profit.
~ Word TO the Wise
THE warning or the peace conference to
nations claiming territorial cnlargcm cnt