The sun., 1919-08-24
DOESN'T WANT UNCLE
SAM TO BE BUILDER
Senator Calder Believes Government
Should Give Financial Aid But
Not Actually Erect Homes

have a better understanding with the
employer and that there should be a
division of profits. l am for all OF
these things. but there is a degree to
which cooperation and collective bar
gaining can go which may completely
destroy the entire business fabric. and
unless a way Is found to prevent alb
normal profits in building materials.
thereby tremendously increasing the cost
Of production, then there must be no
complaint against high rents and greater
prices for the sale OF the finished build
ing. My own opinion Is that we are
not for many years going to have any
cheaper construction. While II Is true
that the wages OF workmen are high.
still, in comparison with the things
these wages purchase. they are not too
high. There Is no evidence of the
necessities OF life being materially re-
duced in price.
IT am in favor of the Governments
selling all its buildings constructed last
year for housing purposes just as speed
lily as they can be disposed OF. 1 do
not favor the Governments going into
the real estate business. In view OF the
excessive cost of these buildings, I do
not believe the Government can sell
the houses II built last year for so per
cent. of their cost. I shall be glad II
they can do so. This is no reflection
upon those who had charge OF the work.
They were compelled to build under I'M
usual conditions. Much of the work
was done at overtime prices and the
material used was in many cases very
expensive. There should be no com
plant over the losses. I would have
them sold out and disposed OF and the
whole matter cleaned up and for all
fha a{y .Aax-
ing into this kind of business again
Country's Building Needs.
TN the United States every year there
is need of approximately $4,000. 900. 900
worth of building construction to meet
the needs OF the country. OF this total
perhaps $4,000. 100000 worth Is required
for the housing OF the people. the rest
being used for Industrial and amuse-
nIent purposes.
To-day in the United States we are
short nearly $4,000, 100000 worth OF
houses for our people to live In. We
are something like a million houses be-
hind the need. And for that reason
those who have made business OF the
construction of houses should have no
mizsivings about the beginning OF con-
struction despite the high prices. Every
assistance should be extended to enable
our people to build or buy their own
homes. Where there is a community
of home owners no Bolshevists or anar-
chists can be found. II IL written in
history since the beginning of civlliza-
ton that where people reside In their
own houses thsEe the best in government
and civilization exists. And so II this
Congress can do anything at all TO
relieve the present needs OF the people
In the matter of homes. 1t should do so
at once. II have pointed out two
ways In which they can help: first, by
creating this home loan banking sys-
tenn, thereby making available at least
$4,000 100000 OF existing assets for
building purposes: and, second. by reliev-
ing from taxation the income on a
limited amount Of real estate mortgages
In the hands Of individuals. thereby en-
courasing investment In securities OF