Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1919-02-20
MATERIAL COST
HATS BUILDING
B.nk Reluctance. Labor
Rules and High Freigbts
FACTORS
NO MARKED DROP
FOR FIVE YEARS

WASHINGTON, Reb.~~ iS-What Is
holding back building and conslruc-
tion work? More than 500 opinions on
this question have been received In the
last two weeks by the information and
education service OF the United States
Department OF Labor Opinions way
but in the main. high costs OF materials
are held 10 be the chief obstacle.
Don't expect private capital 10 build
merely for the sake OF furnishing Jobs
for workmen." writes well known
architect from Buffalo THAT Is the
obligation OF the government. be II To-
cal. Stale or national Let publ
works be started at once for the bene-
ri OF the public. The cost win be
high and The public will have TO pay
the price but the public will reap the
beneflt In the reduction OF unemploy
ment. the absorption OF the products
OF many industries and the use OF many
works OF which there is great need"
From passaic, N. j.. comes the fol-
loving statement: ~ am greatly him
dered by not being able to procure
loans In large amounts. say. 10 the
neighDorhood of $4,000. The bank
ing institutions and mortgage compan-
les are making only small loans around
here and, even where there Is ample
security. will not consider investing q
Largo amount Of money IN one place
An arch tect OF Lincoln, Neb.. makes
the following statement typical OF
the complaints along this line:
"CenstrHetien work In There parts IL
impeded not little. due 10 the unreal
sonable demands OF labor not only for
exorbtant wages. but more by the fact
that certain very undesirable trade rules
are being enforced by labor orgsniza-
lions, which run up the cost Of doing
work enormously"
Many OF the contractors and builders !
in the Central West assert freight rates !
are the chief trouble. Typical Of these |
arguments is the following from Green
VILE, o..
eve have no complaint 10 make IN |
the matter OF securing credits, bbild- |
ing materials and labor. II 10 true /
wages are quite high andFyet not pro-
hihitive. The eS,qtest detrlment 20 |
our Industry through the Central West |
Is prohibitive freight rates on sand and |
gravel II Is not only threatening TO |
destroy our industry. but at the same |
tine II Is Impeding highway construo-
tion and Other building projects which |
s;:=::.and high grade OF these basic ma
terials."
Lack OF cooperation on the part Of
financial interests seems to be the Out
stan1lne obstacle In New York One OF
The best authorities on The building in
dustry n New York city sums UP the
situation there In this fashion;
principally, to the unwillingness OF
iinanciai interests TO cooperate IN
building prtsects We are working on q
total OF nine Industrial projects, In
v0lvlng approximately 600 workmen's
homes TO be carried OFT by private in
erests In various important Industrial
centers. but IN each case we are ham,
pered by The building loan situation.
The only definite work we expect TO /
carry out without delay Is located out
side OF the United Stales."
From St. Louis. Mo. a well known
architect writes II am firmly convinced
that the one thing the building public
wants TO knuw Is the cost OF building
ioday as compared TO the NEXT thee or
ave years. II Il could be assured the
cost VII not drop within that time
there would be a tendency 10 proceed
with the needed work"
As FOR the last question. he Depart
ment ~ Labor Is seeking authoritative
Information as to what can be expected
in material prices for the next nve
years While the Investigation lacks
completeness at this tine. no definite
conclusions may be stated Many emil
nent building and material authorities /
however. Insist that no marked de- /
crease In material prices may be ex-
pected for the next i've years. They |
assert with some positlveness that
pre-war prices on building materials !
will not be re-established for several
years. II ever. These say. persons who
delay building In the hope OF marked
reductions In building costs probably
VIII be disappointed and Will have de-
MED themselves The use OF needed
property and the revenues which would
be derived therefrom.
In response to the departments In
quiry as to future rates on building and
construction materials The railroad ad-
asserts there Is TO be no
general 30 per cent advance on freight
'ates for sand, gravel. crushed stone !
md Stag. The rumor that such ad- |
'anoes were contemplated was arous- |
ng anxiety 10 the Central West Under |
ate OF January % the railroad admin
'tration put out circular which says:
There Is no foundation for the report
,at the railroad administration has
wen or Is giving any consideration TO
ny Increase N present basis OF rates.
The Department OF Labor points out
lat building. being basic industry.
III stimulate general business. and Is,
lerefore. vital TO continued financial
rosperity. The national economic loss
esultng from the ldleness OF thous-
nds OF men cannot be permitted and
Is Injurious effects escaped. Present
building costs are not so high that
..ney equal In the aggregate the wealth
sns country loses through the idleness
loiiowing in the wake OF building stae-
na''on- Homes are needed. business
suffered One Year From Nervou.
Breakdown and Kidney Trous
oie--TonAn Worked ~,