Evening journal., 1921-08-30
some CUT IN
BUILDINGCOSTS
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cesgfully followed in Philadelphia
and other cities
2 Appoint a committee of finan-
ciers to follow up the bankers and
try and find ways and means to raise
mortgage money to finance private
building enterprises. Proper ex-
pansion OF credits will encourage
business men and instill a new con-
fidence.
3. Appoint a committee to follow
up real estate men to find ways and
means of reducing rents and real
estate costs; also the professional
men for the purpose OF reducing
the cost OF professional services of
doctors, lawyers. etc.
4. Invoke the aid OF Delaware's
representatives in the Congress OF
the United States to secure the en-
actment Of the Home Loan Act, with
a view providing much needed credit
facilities in building Of small houses,
which should prove Of great assis-
tance in remedying the housing
problem and the rent situation.
Last nights meeting was held in
the Levy Court room In the Public
Building. Mr.. Warner presided.
Between 60 and 70 builders, supply
dealers, labor representatives and
business men attended.
Rents and railroad freight rates
must come down. and banking In
terests must give greater assistance
If there is to be anything like a real
revival, or boom. in building con-
struction. the special committee re-
ported. While prices still are above
pre-war levels, there has been con-
siderable reductions In labor and
material costs this year over last,
except in some instances for which
the special committee states, 1T can
find no reasonable justification."
Chairman Warner stated that the
committee claimed no credit for the
deflation in prices in the past few
months. competitive conditions" ,"
he continued" have been a large
factor" Outside OF agriculture, he
stated. the building industry. which
composes many allied industrise, is
the most important in the nation
gives more employment directly and
Indirectly. and absorbs the largest
measure OF capital issues.
Any increase in the aggregate
payroll in building trades would re.
3 dound to the benefit of all mer.
chants and other industries and
banking interests the report set out
Referring to the new public librar,
= and marine terminal. Mr.. Warner
E said the contracts for their construc
tion indicated reduction OF 40 pc,
! cent in aggregate cost compared L
! prices a year ago.
> Robert w. Kramer. president o
. the Central Labor Union, insiste'
that the committee should go thor
oughly into the rent question. II
n also condemned what he termed th'
exorbitant fees OF doctors and law
, yers for professional services. "W'
started out to reduce everything,
I he declared We have done oui
: share: let the professional men com'
70 down"
Real estate men present testified
that lower rents meant better busi
e ness for them, although It was state,
q that some INSCRIPTIONS ones raise'
q rents for the sole purpose Of obtain
o ing higher commissions. You can
II expect labor 20 come down below
h lpoint whore they can't pay rent
one man declared
]. A. Bader claimed that railroa'
a freight rates are a great detrimen
$ to building. I'VE will never do an,
q business under present rates" h'
: said. ''The railroads got a big In
: crease In rates. then cut wages. bu
= are still enjoying the graft of thos
. high rates" he added
IL was pointed out that on car