The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-05-12
SEE BUILDING
REVIVAL FOR
WASHINGTON
Committee Urges Districts
Heads to Avoid Delay in
StabiIizing Industry.
By BILL PRICE.

By BILL PRICE.
Stabilizing agreements reacheo
among all elements engaged in build
ing construction in Washington pave
the way to revival of building in this
city, assuring all who have plans for
construction that they may now do
so under the best possible conditions
conditions, too, which IL seemed at
irst could never be brought about.
The District Commissioners today
received a report and recommends
tions from the committee appointed
by them some time ago to Investigate
the building situation and to stabilize
the industry so that building might
be entered into with certainty or
safely from extortion.
The committee which made the re-
port today was headed by Samuel j.
Prescott, chairman, with Morris
Hacker secretary. 1t was composed
Of men prominent in building, bust
hess, finance, trade, and labor circles,
and the members worked with earn
estness and will to brong together, in
a spirit OF cooperation, every ele-
snent.
The committee reports that nothing
is to be gained by delaying building
operations; that the present level of
prices Of both materials and labor
represents a stable basis from which
to figure construction in 1919.
Conservative building is especially
encouraged as against a huge boom
that might cause demands tending
TO upset the agreements reached. 1t
is the opinion that the sooner con-
struction is begun and completed the
better 1t will be, in view Of the great
volume of railroad, highway, public,
semi-pubiic and industrial construc-
ton, now being planned.
Colonel Kutz Is Pleased.
Colonel Kutz. Engineer Commits
sioner OF the District, said today that
he is satisfied that the work Of the
committee has been beneficial even in
advance of its recommendations, as
reflected in the building permits be-
ing issued by the District and the
large number Of surveys being made
by the surveyors office of unimproved
properties upon which buildings are
TO be constructed.
THE District owes this committee
much" said Colonel Kutz, who pointed
out that the upward swing OF con-
struction here is under full sway.
In January. February, March, and
April. 1915. building permits issued in
Washington totaled $3,06S,594. For
the same four months of 1919 the
total is $3,655.S70, a gain Of nearly
$500, 600. Both March and April OF
this year far exceed in total money tc
be expended the same two months OF
1915.
Building materials, dealers, LABOR
and banking interests are all on rec
ord as intending to abstain from ex
cessiYe profits so that building NAV
20 forward. Among the allied inter
ests these are the agreements
reached:
Price Agreements Reached.
Brick-No decrease in price, but
manufacturers will protect builders
against advances during the life If g
contract; will give benefit of any de
clines.
Lumber-Prices firm. with higher
grades tending upward to shortage
of production; other grades about
stationary. Dealers promise to keer
profits down, and will advance prices
only when advanced by producer.
Builders hardware-Prices already
down from last year; no further re.
auctions looked for, but il they come
customers will be given benefit.
Millwork-Cost of millwork has not
advanced in proportion to other ma.
terisls. Will cooperate in giving re.
ouced prices when possible
Structural steeI-Not much work
Of this kind. Structural workers tc
demand increase in wages August ]
10 81 per hour, from 92k cents, as
now.
Building materiaIs-Dealers in ce.
ment, lime. slate, and such supplies
have adopted policy Of guaranteeing
prices on these commodities fol
specific work. Only exception is in
event freight rates may go up.
Paints and glass may go down some
Dealers will guarantee against ad
vance in 1919, and give benefit OF de
cline.
For plumbing and steam-ftting sub
stantial reductions since November
Dealers will give lowest prices.
Hollow tile is considerably below
fast year. and will be offered cheapIy
General contractors will max
profits low.
LaboFss Scale of W0Ges.
Labor is stabilized to the exten
that the trades agre that there will b
10 change in the scale for man.
months The scales to prevail during
1919 or for most OF the year are a
follows:
Bricklayers and stone masons, ST.
cents per hour.
Tile settlers. IS cents per hour.
Marble masons, s7h cents.
Hosting engineers, 92lS.
Rod workers, so.
Plasterers and cement finisherS
s7Is to September /.
Painters and decorators, sIz {
September ].
Lathers. S7E.
Plumbers, S7I2.
Elevator constructors, 90; helpers
60.
Electrical workers, 81.
Iron workers $l.o0 TO August
next.
steel filters and steel metal work
crs arc negotiating a new agreement
These scales represent slight in
creases over 1918. but the committee
declares that labor deserves and
entitled to this increase. The com
nittee is confident labor will co
operate to stabilize the building in