Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-02-17
Boashevih forces swaxming through streets Of

0OA1l6 CbOlV " PIoSAA OoA W WY "
mortgage, in large amounts, say. Din
the neighborhood of $150,000. The
banking institutions and mortgage
companies are making only small
loans around here" and, even where
there is ample security, will not con.
slider investing a large amount OF
money in one place."
Labor conditions and demands are
held to be unfavorable to immediate
building operations by many OF the
authorities writing to the information
and education service. An architect,
writing from Lincoln. Neb:. makes the
following statement, typical" OF the
Construction work in these parts
is now and has been impeded not a
little, due to the unreasonable de-
mands of labor not only for exorbitant
wages, but more by the fact certain
very undesirable trade rules are being
enforced by labor organizations, which
run up the cost of doing work enor-
mously." "
Many of the contractors and build
ers in the central west assert freight
rates are the chief trouble. Typical OF
these arguments is the following from
Greenville, Ohio:
1--WE have no, complaint to make in
the matter of securing credits. build
! ing materials. andslabor. 1t is true that
wages are quite high and yet no pro-
hibitive.. The greatest detriment to our
industry throuSh-the central west is
prohibitive freight rates on sand and
gravel. It is not only threatening to
destroy u industry u at the same
time 1t is impeding highway construc-
ton and other building projects which
demand a high grade of these basic
materials"
Lack of cooperation on the part Of
financial interests seems to be the
outstanding obstacle in New York.
One of the best authorities on the
sums up the situation there in this
1 fashion:
I'VE have in the United States seri-
Gus difficulty owing, principally, to the
unwillingness Of financial interests to
cooperate in building projects with
the material and labor market in its
present condition. We are working on
a total Of nine industrial projects in
volving approximately 5000. work.
mems homes, to be carried put by prt-
vate interests in various important in
dustrial centers, but in each case we
are hampered by the building loan
loan situation. The only definite work
is located outside Of the United
States"
From st. Louis, Mo-, a we'll known
architect writes: II am firmly con-
WINGED that the n thing the building
public wants to know is the cost of
building today as compared to the
next three to five years. If they could
within that time; there would be a
tendency to proceed with the needed
work."
AS for the last question the infor-
nation and education service of the
department of labor, through the di-
vision Of public works and construc-
ton development now is seeking, au-
thoritative information as to what can
be expected in material prices for the
next five years. While the investigation
lacks completeness at this time, no
definite conclusions may be stated.
Many eminent building and material
authorities. however. insist that no
marked decrease in material prices
may be expected for the next five
years. They assert with some positive
ness that pre-war prices on building
materials will not be re-estab.lished
for several years, II ver These assert
that persons who delay building in the
hope Of marked reductions in building
costs probably will be disappointed
and will have denied themselves the
use Of needed property and the reve-
nues which would be derived there
1 FROM. |s Is
In response to the department. Of
labor's inquiry Is to future rates on
building and construction materials,
the U. S. railroad, administration as
serts there is to be no general thirty
per cent advance on freight rates for
sand, gravel, crushed stone and Stag.
The .rumor. that such advances were
contemplated was arousing anxiety In
the central west Under date Of Janu-
ary 20 the railroad administration put
out g. circular which says: There is
no foundation for the report that the
railroad administration ihas given or
crease in present basis Of rates.
The department of labor points out
that building. being a basic industry,
will stimulate general business and Is,
therefore, very, vital to continued A.