Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-12-31

he relieved OF the excess profits tax mill
stone.
/ believe the business skies are bright
caing and that within few weeks re
Will see cvidences of stability and IN
creased activities in all lines. The pres
ent situation calls for patriotic optimism
and cooperative action. We must ap-
HrOach cur read1ustment problems with
the same spirit of patriotism as that
which characterized our activities during
ne war
The business man must be satisfied with
q fair profit; and labor must strive for
the highest efficiency in production. There
must be no ''slackers" anywhere along
the line. The policy of demanding q
maximum wage for a minimum produc-
ton is economically unsound. We are
now paying the penalty for such an alb
surdity. We must all make up our minds
60 work more, spend less. and be satisfied
With fair wage and a fair profit. Such
q policy will help materially IN clarity
ing the commercial atmosphere and in
bringing US back to normal
: i !
by HARRISON WALTERS,
President Of the Building Contractors
Association of Indianapolis.
4 Ny ATTEMPT to forecast the out
"a look for building and construction
- - work for 1921 TO be other than
pure guessvork must take into careful
consideration many and varying factors,
some natural and incident to the bust
ness at all times, and some arising en-
tirely out of the present peculiar condi-
lions incident to the readjustment OF all
business.
Natural influences are without doubt
-
and point conclusively toward a season
OF exceptional activity.
These factors might be generally sum-
married. as follows:
Need of new construction and recon-
struction due to normal progress.
Catching up work deferred on account
OF war activities and abnormal wartime
costs.
Supply Of labor.
Supply Of materials.
Transportation.
Consideration Of these factors singly
and in their relation to each other shows
an unusually favorable outlook.
CONSTRUCTION
NEED ACUTE
The need for new construction is acute,
especially in housing. 10 the extent Of be-
ing a national problem. Schools and cd
ucatIonaT institutions are in such condl-
tIon as to seriously impair their efficiency
due TO lack Of buildings and extensions
Recent reports Of Investigations OF our
state institutions show conditions that
are shocking beyond belief. Modern. safe
sanitary buildings must be provided at
once if we are to avoid the consequences
OF actual criminal neglect.
Deferred private projects. many with
plans completed and publicly announced,
amount TO 4 large volume.
Labor is plentiful and as a consequence
shows a marked tendency to increase
its efficiency An excessive surplus OF
labor is never a desirable condition. but
a healthy competition is the most effec-
tive stimulus to maximum production.
Labor that has n healthy interest IN its
sob very qnickIy dispOses OF the strike
agitator and petty trouble maker.
Material supplies are available in prac-
ticany all lines. with stocks on hand or
production facilities to insure deliveries
Transportation shows 4 decided i'm
prOve;nent.
All of these conditions are favorable,
in fact. would seem to indicate an ideal
situation with respect TO supply and de
mand.
The most important and really deter
mining factor is, OF course. in capital
necessary to finance construction enter
prises, without which the need, however