New-York tribune., 1921-10-17
France Invites
Irons to Direct
Her rRebllildin,e!;!. g.
<
Former Head of Contracting
Firm Which Made Rec
ord on Cunard Building
May Rehabilitate Region
Revival Foreseen
Trade Here to Benefit bv
Plans to Drive Germany
From Devastated Area

Henry c, Irons, formerly of the firm
of Irons & Todd, builders, has been in
vited to take entire charge Of the re-
construction work in the devastated
areas of France, according to an an
nouncement in the current Dow Service
Daily Building Reports Mr.. Irons last
night partly confirmed the report. al
though refusing to discuss the details
of it.
81 cannot, of course, discuss this
matter" he said, "beyond saying that
| have received and am now consider
ing an invitation to take charge of GER
tain construction work in France |
can add nothing more at this time"
Help to Export Trade Seen
In building trade circles, which look
forward to a great gain in export bust
ness as the result Of the selection of
an American for this gigantic task,
it is generally believed that not only
has Mr.. Irons been picked for the job
but that he has instructions to install
the most modern and bcst-equipped
structures Of every kind in the dis
tricts laid waste, in order that France
may have the advantage over Germany
in trade competition.
Experts who inspected the .prospec-
tive building fields in France, returned d
convinced that the magnitude of the
project was far beyond the ability OF
any one man, and that contracts for
the rehabilitation of the devastated
areas would be parcelled out among
several big firms. The subject has
been one often discussed in the build
ing trade because of the impetus the
rebuilding project is expected to give
to American Industries.
In preparing to deal with the prob
lem France sent experts to this coun.
try several months ago who inspected
{ the American industrial system thor.
oughly, giving particular attention tc
the housing provided for workmen
They are said to have been impressed
/ particularly by the $11 10000 Cunart
Building, 80 per cent Of which was ther
occupied by paying tenants, although
only twelve months had elapsed sine,
the first girder was laid over the sub
way right of way in the basement.
Labor Difficulties Overcome
The building had been put up unde,
the most trying circumstances. 1t.
plans were drawn and perfected. ever
TO the financing of its erection, durint
the war, so that building could start a,
soon as peace was declared Labor wa,
scarce, wages high and strikes preva
lent during the time of its construc
tlon. 1t was difficult also to get ma
torials.
Nevertheless, the Cunard Buildjo,
went up story by story, strictly ac
cording to the schedule laid out whe,
the country was at war and it was tn,
firm of Irons g. Todd, of which Hcnr
1. irons was member, that put it W
The record made in the constructed,
Of the Cunard building is believed t
have had much weight with the Frcncl
invest stigators and to have led to tn
invitation which has been extended t
Mr. Irons.
1t is said to be the present intentio
OF tho French governme ent to rebuilt
in those parts Of the country lai
waste by Germany so swiftly and &
scientifically that Gcrmnny's manufac
, tnrcQ vi no comm lnt IA, oi+c1aceoJ