Evening journal., 1919-12-11
HOUSING SITUATION WILL RE RELIEVED ONLY
WIEN AIIIIIDE OF LABOR CMANGEs

! NJ ORE firmly convinced than ever that only through
II the sterilization Of the cost OF labor by the adop
lion Of certain economies that viii make for increased
production can the cost Of building be materially reduced
architects and builders interviewed by The American
Architect this week. generally agreed that there
must come further breaking away from many existing
sereotyped methods Of operation The decided opinion
was that fithe workman is persuaded to a
Interested attitude in his work and endeavor fully
operate with his employer for the good Of the organza-
ton that real economies be made in many directions.
Unless this condition is reached-unless workmen
poyed in the construction OF houses endeavor to provide
better efficiency combined with increased output and
fully realize their responsibility not only to the
munity but to themseyes-here can be no hope OF an
improved housing situation within the coming months
In the New York district it had been hoped that with
the final signature affixed TO the contract between the
Building Trades Council and the Building Trades En-
poyers Association agreeing upon wage scale for 1920
there would come Of peace and unprecedented
building activity
No sooner was this accomplished. however than
all plans were knocked into cooked hat by the
ment Of the Iron League Erectors Association that It did
not Intend to abandon the open shop This association,
alone Of all the trades in the building industry per-
sstently fought attempts to adopt the policy Of the closed
shop.
There remains to be just what effect this indie
pendent action will have building operations projected
In Now York, which, 10 is estimated, Will be si0-
100000
II is decidedly disturbing development however for
under the 1920 building contract inst signed union men
employed on building operations where non-union men
are working permitted to strike.
Architects have been appealed TO with the hope that
solution be found The erectors association has
written TO members Of the architectural profession ask
Ing aid in restang their attitude toward The open shop
by The insertion IN all contracts for the erection Of struc
ural steel work Of labor clause Not only does The
agreement provide FOR 1920 but clause has been signed
providing for 1921 schedule under The following
terms:
should the cost Of living materially change, upon five
months notice from the Building Trade Council The
Building Trades Employers Association given prior to
January 1921 the scale for the calendar year 1921
shall be reopened and readJused."
Speaking the subject OF increased pay and lesscnel
working hours prominent New York architect stated
that the workman the lob does not to realize a
the who buys the house for the increased cost
Of production.
"Home building under such menacing difficulties he
said, threatens to to a standsti There never
work in office than today. But the question is
how Il going TO be nanced2 An honest days work for
an honest days pay will do TO relieve the housing
situation than all the political propaganda arising out Of
the cry OF rent-proneerng about which have heard
much in the past six months. fear rents will be in
creased next spring and that they viii rise with the cor
responding cost of mainiaing property. cannot UNDER
stand why the workman doesn't understand that rent
payer in the final analysis he pays the feisht."
II construction is TO be tied up by strikes how is the
housing problem TO be soyed2 Labors present program
makes extremely dincult for capital 10 enter the build
ing field.
Education may help the laborer TO his mistake but
that Is a slow process II he doesn't adopt diff
ferent attitude toward his work, estimate
the damage that will result to industrial progress