The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-10-23
BUILDING EXPERT
TALKS ON FACTORS
S. w. Straus, Of New York,
Cites Conditions Affect
ina Construction.

Commenting on the building sltua-
ton, 3. w. Straus. OF 3. w. straus q
Co, or New York. says:
Building operations continue TO be
hampered by adverse labor condi-
lions. inadequate transportation and
shortage of various materials. While
actual unemployment in some OF the
building trades Is noted there Is
pronounced shortage In others which
has had the effect OF delaying the
ultimate completion OF operations.
s~rhere is no Immediate prospect Of
these conditions being changed. as
there appears TO be an under supply
OF men in the country engaged In
some OF the essential trades with
nothing to indicate an Immediate re-
pIenishment through the process or
immigration.
ut is likely that. with these oondi-
lions prevailing In the industry oper-
atoms throughout tho country Will
proceed in a limited way and the
housing shortage will continue acute
for a considerable time. 4.
"There seems to be no Immediate
possibility of price stabflization.
Costs continue in their upward ten
dency, and ID Is not probable that
ultimate sterilization viii be effected
At present levels. While there Is
condition of shifting prices in other
commodities, general costs OF buiid-
ing work remain firm with steady
pressure toward higher levels. THESE
conditions are apt to be rejected In
the general rent situation for all
types of structures.
DESPITE every effort that has been
bring
relief TO the housing situation, little
or no change has been effected. Con-
struction work has proceeded In tho
face OF so many adverse circumstances
that builders have been unable to
estimate with any accuracy the date
of compilation. and the longer time
consumed in finishing operations has
made the general situation more
acute. Unless underlying conditions
are subjected to sweeping changes
the lack of housing facilities of every
will continue for num-
Der OF years.
Those who are expecting imme-
diate lower building costs should keep
these facts in mind. and they also
should remember that in the funda-
mental economic situation there ex-
lists conditions OF high taxes, high
wages. high interest rates and q gem
eral public manifestation to live more
sxpensively. We also have been going
through a long period OF underpro-
duction, and sterilization will come
only as the people by working and
saving. bring the supply of material
wealth OF the country to a point
where IL equals the demand and in
addition have created a substantial
surplus.
Enthusiastically the public protest
against high prices within the last
six months has been emphatic, and
the people have shown a willingness
to curtail buying rather than tolerate
Increases in the cost of living. But
stability Of costs must in the long run
be effected mainly by greater eff
cheney and thrift. There must be an
honest days work for an honest days
pay. that Is, eight hours work for
eight hours pay, not four hours work
for eight hours pay.
THE deficiency Of supply as COM
pared to demand is greater perhaps
in the housing situation than In any
other phase of our national life 1t
is for this reason that the tendency
toward higher costs is more pro-
nounced in the building situation
than in any other department Of in
dustry, and the likelihood or . con-
tinuation OF these conditions for some
time to come appears to be quite con-
elusive"