Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-06
GOVERNORS URGE
BUSINESS BOOST
Conference Calls for Indus
trial Revival and Lifting
of Restrictions
AGAINST RED DOCTRINE
Ernest Trigg Advocates
Home Loan Banks and Re.
duced Freight Rates
By the Associated Press

Washington. March 6.--Governors and
Mayors returned today to their homes
after a three days conference here
called by the decree OF President Wilson
to discuss labor and business conditions.
Before adjournment the conference went
on record as favoring the carrying out
by the railroads OF a program OF impor-
tance not only as an aid OF transporta -
tion. but also TO alleviate Unemployment.
the reduction of freight rates on build
ing materials and the settlement OF
government contracts and the lifting OF
all restrictions on business and industry
at an early date
The conference also condemned radi-
cal doctrines sanctioned government ap-
proval OF price schedules, but opposed
fixing of costs, and recommended con-
tinuation by the government OF assist
ancc TO public utilities. After n heated
debate the conference, by viva voce
vote. defeated n minority report OF the
committee on resolutions recommending
that Congress be called Immediately in
extra session.
TrigE's Rrconstruction Plea
A feature Of yesterdays session Of the
conference was an address oy Ernest I.
Trigg, Of Philadelphia, who. speaking as
L president OF the National Federation OF
Construction in Industries, advocated
the establishment of a federal home loan
bank as an agency TO enable building
and loan associations to borrow money
on their securities Sharp reduction OF
what he demonstrated the almost pro-
hibitlve freight rates and building ma
terial was urged also by the speaker.
Mr.. Trieg said the reconstruction In the
~. "a mn ri nf ha n
tons war debt, and should be paid first
because it would supply improved facil-
tiles for earning and paying the re-
mainder. He added:
The war schedule of freight rates
on certain building materials made ef-
fective in June. 1918. which was un-
doubtedly Planned to stop traffic in
building materials and TO curtail and
limit civilian construction during the
war. should be reduced without delay.
That prohibitive schedule is still In ef-
feet. Judge Loyetts priority order or
October ., 1917, has been lifted, thus
releasing construction materials, IL and
when II can be afforded TO move them.
Another matter worthy Of considera-
tion as means OF encouraging new
building, Mr.. Trige asserted, was the
possible waving Of al taxes on such
buildings for a period of years, such
as may be consistent with the local
needs
Industry Reviving
The general tendency of the con-
struction industry" he continued, may
be roughly gagged by the following ap-
proximatiens:
"In November but 6 per cent OF the
normal construction was going on: IN
December but 10 Ter cent; in January
but 20 per cent The month OF February
will possibly show a corresponding IN
crease.
From reliable sources I am informed
that the cost of living has gone up
during the war about 65 per cent, while
the cost of construction has Increased
so per cent TO 80 per cent. according
to the type of building, and that the
index number for commodity prices has
gone up about 1O6 per cent, but thar
land has increased little and in some
places has decreased.
THE restrictions which were placed
on the industry during the war have
been mainly through freight. fuel,
finance and advertising. The cumulative
effect of these has been TO disorganize
the industry and deaden the constructive
initiative OF the country az whole,
and now, when We are faced with the
problem of absorbing skilled labor tenn
porarily out of adjustment, and OF in
creasing the national wealth and earn
ing power the industry naturally turns
to the government for temporary aid.
although in the last analysis construction
must be done by private enterprise"
Mayors attending the meeting at
special session OF the conference last
night laid plans for an association OF
Mayors to meet in Washington each
year in February.
Governor Sproul Of Pennsylvania, was
proceedings by slight attack Of ton
sillitis He expected TO leave for home
this morning.