Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-23
BUILDERS Numbered
BY ADVANCE TRADE
REPORTS IN NATION
Labor, Transportation and
Shortage of Material
Still Noted.

Building operations continue to be
inadequate transportation and short
lage of various materials, declares S.
W. Straus, of New York, in a state
ment issued today.
Actual unemployment in some of
the building trades is noted by Mr..
lStraus, while there is said to be
pronounced shortage of labor in
others. tending to delay the ultimate
completion of building operations
No Presoect of Change.
There 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-
punishment through the process of
Immigration the statement points
out.
There seems to be no Immediate
possibility of price Sterilization.
Costs continue in their upward tend
ency. and it is not probable that ulti-
mate sterilization will be effected at
present levels. While there is con-
dition of shifting prices in other COM
modities, general costs of building
work remain firm with a steady pres
sure toward higher levels. These
conditions are apt to be reflected in
the general rent situation for all
types of structures.
Efforts Unsuccessful.
Despite every effort that has been
made throughout the country to bring
relief to the housing situation, lit
tie or no change has been effected.
Construction work has proceeded in
the face of so many adverse circum
stances that builders have been un-
able to estimate with any accuracy
the date of completion. 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
description will continue for a num-
Der of years.
Those who are expecting immediate
lower building costs should keep these
facts in mind, and they also should re-
member that in the fundamental eco
nomic situation there exists conditions
of high taxes, high wages, high interest
rates and a general public manifestation
to live more extensively. We also have
been going through a long period of
interpretation, and sterilization will
come only as the people, by working
and saving, bring the supply of mate
rial wealth of the country to point
where it equals the demand and in adj
dition have created a substantial sur
plus
Enthusiastically the public protest
against high prices within the last six
! months has been emphatic. and the peo-
pie have shown 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 efficiency and thrift. There
| must be an honest days work for an
| honest days pay-that is. eight hours
| hours work for eight hours pay
1.-The deficiency of supply as compared
| 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 pronounced in the build
| ing situation than in any other depart
ment Of industry, and the likelihood of
q continuation of these conditions for
some time to come appears to be quite
l conclusive"