Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-03-29
FOR A REVIVAL OF BUILDING.

1t is to be regretted that the builders and the
union men cannot get together on a satisfactory
wage scale based on peace conditions as TO
stimulate building. It is not expected that
wages will 60 back to what they were before
the war. but that they cannot continue at the
present wartime scale Is recognized by all ex-
cept the unions themselves.
Prices in practically everything have been
reduced. This is particularly true in regard to
buildins materials. Il remains only for labor
to accept the inevitable to revive building an
extensive scale. This will help business along
every line.
While in some communities the trade unions
have accepted what has been considered fair
reduction. in a majority OF instances the men
Absolutely refused wage cut. insisting upon
maintaining in time of peace scale that was
established during the war when times were
nbnormaL
Finding that further parleytns was useless,
the employers have. In some cases. taken mat
tiers in their own hands and made q cut in
wages Sunday 1t was announced that such
action had been taken by the Building Trades
Employers Association OF Essex County. A
reduction of from 10 to 40 per cent. affecting
ssu different building trades will go into ef-
1DcJ IN NEWARK ana Vicinity On may l. Ahc
men announce that this will mean a strike.
rhs builders argue that they cannot be much
worse OFF with the men strike because
building is almost at a standstill anyway.
But strikes are bad things no matter which
way they are looked at. They are TO be avoid
ed whenever possible. The economic law of
supply and demand. however, cannot be over
come by any man-made laws, rules or agree
paents.
When the cost of building reaches a certain
figure building operations cease. Plans are
pigeon-holed until such time as the price falls.
Materials have responded to this economic law
and have come down. Labor holds out, but 1t.
too, must yield before building ever be re-
ytvsd on its old-time scale.
These things are beyond the power of man
- any organization of men to control. strik-
ing illustration of how this economic law af-
iecis c4pitai as well labor is to be found
In the railroad situation today. The railroads
sought to overcome their difficulties by in
creasing rates. But they got the cost of ship
ping so high that people can't afford TO ship
any more and there Is decided falling off in
freight. This is partly due to the general busi-
ness depression it Is true, but 1t might be said
with equal truth that the high cost of shipping
has much to do with the depression In busi-
ness
A reduction in freight rates will be necessary
before shipping resumes its normal condition
and the railroads working in that direction
now. They cannot successfully defy the natural
law that shuts off business when prices become
too high.
so it is with labor In the building trades
and. strikes strikes. the cost Of labor has
got to come down before any real progress can
be made toward a revival OF building. Hun
dreds of plans are waiting until this reduction
takes place. In the meantime rents continue
to mount up-governed, as~everything else, by
this economic law OF supply and demand. AS
long as there are few houses those who are
willing to pay the most for them are going
to get Them
No doubt the employers would be willing to