The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-24
GOVERNOR URGED TO
BOOM PUBLIC WORK
Reconstruction Commission in
Report Finds No Hope in
Private Sources.
IDLENESS is SERIOUS
Uncertainty and Lack of Con.
fidence Are Said to Mark
Business

In n report to Gov. Smith OF "Busi-
ness Readjustmcnts and UNEMPLOYMENT
tho New York Reconstruction Commits
Sion says that canvass made by the
commission among leading manufactur-
ers and business men In the State in
dfcates these conditions:
Many kinds of businesses are at a
standstill.
Business generally reflects uncer-
sainty and lack of confidence.
The unemployment situation In serious.
Nothing can be definitely expected
from private business to improve ~
uation, especially in the housing trades,
which are tho ono permanent hope OF
the solution from the points of'view both
OF unemployment and of living conditio 49,
The report Is signed by Abram /. FL
ku5 chairman of the commission John
@. Agar, chairman OF the committee on
unemployment and Alfred J. johnson,
chairman OF the committee Oh business
readjustment.
Hccommen to Governor.
It recommends that as a means Of i'm
proving the situation Gov. Smith do the
following things:
II. Urge heads OF State departments
at Albany to expedite public works au-
thorized for which funds are available.
~. Have a bill introduced carrying
an authorization and appropriation for
the construction at Saratoga Springs Of
q bathhouse, drink hall and other build
inss mentioned
y. Urge the Highway Department to
submit Immediately It's programme to
the Secretary Of Agriculture and a bill
Tor an additional appropriation in case
present State funds are insufficient TO
enable the State 70 take advantage of
the Federal aid.
-. Call conference of county super.
visors or chairman of county supervi-
sors. and of county superintendent, to
urge them to provide funds for work
contemplated or interrupted for which
FUNDS are not available. to commence
Immediately work held up for other
reasons than lack Of funds, and IL pos
sible. to enlarge their building pro-
gramme.
70. Call a conference of mayors OF
the various cities of the State Except
ing the City of New York, which Is
provided for in Section g. to urge them
to provide funds for all public improve
nents contemplated or interrupted for
which funds are not yet available; 10
overcome obstacles other than lack of
been started bus for which funds are
available: TO enlarge their programme,
II possible. and to relate, IL this can be
done, the Unemployment problem in their
localities TO the public works programme
.. Urge the authorities of the City
OF New York not only to stimulate all
the usual repairs and extensions of pub
lie works for which appropriations have
been made In whole or In part, but also
tne Following specific projects
"A. Rapid transit construction.
B. Proper development of the mort
OF New York which can to a very
considerable extent proceed by means
OF funds appropriated to the Dock
Department.
&C. Immediate building Of a gar
page disposal plant or plants
ID Immediate appropriation for
Tho building OF terminal market
structures not requiring the purchase
or additional land such as outlined
by the City Markets Commissioners,
out including also provision for tenn
poTary structures on city owned land
In The Bronx and Queens
"E. The adoption Of plans and ap-
preparation OF a sufficient sum for
preliminary work on sewage disposal
Tor the Boroughs OF Manhattan,
Bronx. Brooklyn and Queens"
Building Operations Lag.
The report sets forth that the re-
noval OF wartime restraint rhas caused
no large scale resumption OF building
operations" In 1916 the estimated cost
of new buildings for which plans were
filed in the Ave boroughs of New York
city amounted to s191,071,024 In 1917,
$s0,325.512: in 1918, S3s.696,544, and in
the first three months OF this year.
$14,65s.7ls.
The commission gives these figures
showing how wages In the building
trades have increased from 1915 to 1919:
Bricklayer. Sc to 81; carpenter. IS to
Sc; pa inter-. So to ST. elevator construc-
tor $500 to $3.50. &c, and adds:
"A reduction of wages rates in the
near future is not to be expected"
The commission In Its recommended
tons TO the Governor said that he is
the one central authority who can bring
70 the various Government units in the
State the fundamental need OF stimulat-
ing public improvements