Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-07
w. S. HAYS
On BUILDING Trade Needs

TTNIIE creation of board or tribunal OF
i some sort, such as has already been sug-
gcsted. which would act as a stabilizer for the
building industry and go n long way toward
solving the most important problems of the
situation, Is more important right now. in
the opinion of W. S. Hays, consulting engl-
neer on management and industrial rcia-
tions. than the continuous attempt to reduce
the wages of labor.
Mr.. Hays, who is at present retained by
the Council of Associated Business Trades
Of Philadelphia and who will be ono OF the
sneakers at the councils Building Waste"
meeting tomorrow night. declares the need
is paramount for thousands of small homes
for mon with families earning Sl2OO to
$500 year.
eve must focus our attention says MIR.
Hays. ION the lowest paid worker OF any
industry. We must aid and encourage him
TO acquire and develop skill and full use OF
the talents God gave him.
''In the building industry the laborcr asks
fifty cents an hour and fifty hours Tor every
week in the year. or $1,000 annual iuComc.
Taking away savings and insurance OF S24o,
union dues and Carfarc to and from work.
his net income for living expenses would b"
reduced to SlWO-littlc enough to maintain
even n scmblancc of an American standard
of living. He can't live on less, and we
should help him earn more. lncOme-tnN cx'
pcrts set $4,000 as the figure for family
of five.
BASED on Department of Labor statistics,
the workers. home should cost about $50
year, or SO a month. Philadelphia needs
thousands OF homes of the kind urged by
housing experts of our city, which the work
nGman can rent or buy and maintain at
that figure.
Average Fewer Than Forty Weeks Year
"lndcr existing and past marketing con
ditionS of the building trades. they average
thnp fhrt lsg n
ing time. Hence their savings and the
health OF their families are sacrificed. The
building industry needs II permanent sta
bilizcr in The form Of some board or tribunal
such aS Mr. u. Knirkerbacker Boyd sug-
gcstcd In this column last fall. This should
b" adopted at once. The Building Trades
Council urges its adoption.
Representatives Of al, employers and all
trades should gather and create such body
to permanently place the Philadelphia build
ing industry on sound basis with tho
public interest rs its keynote, Construction
is vitallv needed at otcc. This stabiIizcr,
If adopted. will avoid any further delays; tn"
public will have confidence in il and both
sides must respect and obey it's decisions.
"Thc following functions should belong,
properly, to this proposed tribunal:
"First Research work for better con
struction standards.
Second. Provide year round employ
mcnt for efficient. reliable, skilled and un
| skilled workers who want to work. Instead
! Of an employment office, the personnel work
would b" 4 sales department of tn" services
| of the skilled workers of the industry to the
| public.
'"rhird. Health and safety control and
| benefits given in other industries, such as
medical attendance. trained nurses, ctc.
'"Thcsr further should be provided
| Fourth. Group life insurance.
| Fifth Elimination of waste and un =
| necessary costs.
sixth. Elimination Of legislative and
| financial restrictions.
! Seventh. Creation of efficiency and nro .
| ducton and pride In craftsmanship.
Eighth. DEVELOPMENT by contnct and
60 operation with all civic movements Of nm
increased demand for the services of the in :
dustry.
"Ntnth. Cooperative marketing of such
services.
"Tcnth. Creation of rcspect for the union
card as mark of Il mnu's skill, rtlici"ncy
and proficiency. and make it mpossibIc for
men to sccur" full certificates not mstIy
earned and ilnpartlnlly given.
eleventh, Creation Of higher paid closscs
of workers than the basic wage set by III,
American standard of living, in order TO on
courage men to remain in their rospectiy,
trades and develop and train themselves r.
great proficiency
Now Is Time to Call for Bids
Now Is the time to call for bids on con
struction work. Prices are practically n
the bottom, The ultimate fall from lO2l
peak prices may take years TO be realized