Evening star., 1919-05-06
LISTS WAGESPA|D
FOR VARIED WORK
Sterilization Committee to
Report Building Situation
TO, Commissioners.
COST OF LIVING GOVERNS


letters regarding the building situa-
tion in the District by the central
stabilization committee are to be com
piled and submitted to the District
mmissioners within the next week.
This was announced at a meeting of
the committee today al the District
building.
The principal business transacted
this morning was the submission by
William Spencer, one of the re;Te
sentatives of the labor organiZat on
showing the wage scale for labor in
building construction and other items
In that connection.
Wage Scales Reported.
The report of the labor committee
shows the wage scales for the various
building trades to be:
Bricklayers and stone masons, S7h
cents per hour, to expire January /.
1920.
Tile settlers. rs cents per hour, to
expire January 1. 1920
Marble masons. s71a cents per hour,
TO espire January 1. 1920.
Plasterers. S712 cents per hour, to
expire September l. 1919.
Cement finishers. 90 cents per hour,
to expire September 1. 1920.
Hosting engineers, 92l2 cents per
to expire January j. 1SZO-
Electrical workers, 81 per hour, to
expire April 1. 1920.
Painters, 81 !: cents per hour, to ex-
pire September l. 1919.
Decorators, 80 cents per hour, to ex-
pire September L. 1920.
Lathers, s7la and 80 cents per hour.
TO expire September /. 1920
Rod workers. 80 cents per hour, to
expire January I, 1920.
Iron workers. 81 per hour, effective
August /, 1919.
Carpenters, SLY cents per hour, ef-
fective May /, 1919.
AS to the iron workers and car
penters they have specified no par
scale, but the report states it will be
, effective at least until January ], 1920
Unsettled in Three Trades.
The committee reported also 1t
found that the steam filters. sheet
metal workers and elevator construc-
tors are negotiating a new agree
ment; WHICH, when adopted. will. it is
The committee said 1t is an ex-
tremely delicate matter to report on
the probability of wage rates that
will be effective in the case of the
last three trades. but that it feels
confident that the rates when mutual
ly agreed to will be found to be rea-
sonable and that they will remain in
effect throughout the current year.
1t was explained further by the
committee that it is disposed to em-
phasize the point that the wages OF
the worker are not proht in the sense
that profit is generally considered in
commercial life. but the means of
livelihood. and that these are at all
times governed by the general ba-
rometer of living costs. so that should
tho public in general be not called
sUpon to Suffer an unusual or excessive
sudden increase in cost of living,
then IN that case the committee feels
wage rates set forth will be consid-
cred as pending throughout the year.
S. j. Prescott. chairman of the COM
rnittee, said there is every indication
that all of the various bodies and
organizations connected with build
ing construction are willing to Co
operate in the stabilization move
Jnent. A committee. consisting of Mr..
Prescott. Mr.. Spencer and W. H.
Mealy, was appointed to draft the
report of the findings of the COM
nittee, which is to be submitted to
the Commissioners.
Freight Rates Are High.
That large amount of the increased
cost of building materials is due to high
railroad rates was the statement Of Il.
J.. Grove He said the public should
know that the rates nave much to do
with this increase. 1t was suggested
that something be done to have the
rates reduced. but Morris Hacker, the
secretary. explained that the govern
met was operating the railroads and II
was not thought anything could be done
In that respect
1t was reported in a communication
from structural steel concern that 1t
does not seem that the industry will
revive rapidly. IT was stated also that
a demand for increases in wages ia to
be made by the workers August J. from
s2Is cents per hour to 81 per hour for
5ourneymen. and from $1.15 to $1.25 per
hour for foremen.
Regarding the brick situation, it was
stated it is believed there will be some
recession. but when could not be stated.
The prospects for normal condition
IN clay products in the near future are
good. II was stated there is a general
Improvement in the industry.
The meeting adjourned, subject focal
Of the chairman.