Evening star., 1921-01-22
HOUSING SOLUTION
IS AN EARLY NEED
Building Accommodations
Considerably Less Than
One Year Ago.

Early solution of the nations hous-
ing problem is an urgent need con-
fronting builders with the advent OF
the new year, it is pointed out in a
statement issued by S. w. Straus, bank
er. of New York.
From the most reliable statistics
obtainable at this time the actual
amount of building accommodations
throughout the country are consid-
erably less than they were a year
ago. he observes. While the figures
indicate. he explains, an increased
cost of new building contracts award
ed during the year 1920 of about
B per cent, as compared with 1919
this was more than discounted by the
and the loss of available space
through fires and deterioration. he
says.
Continuing. the banker states:
Mr.. strauss Statement.
Overcrowding in the large cities has
reached such a serious state that
health authorities are sounding an
alarm. These unwholesome condi-
tions also develop social unrest and
lawlessness. and it is apparent that
every possible agency should lend itself
to the work of helping in the practica'
solution of this grave problem.
1T is to be hoped that large
building movement will start this
spring and summer but no one can
tell what developments may arise
meanwhile. Lack of price stabiliza-
ton has been one of the chief causes
Of the slowing up of construction
work since the armistice. Vast
been held back because of the feeling
that building costs would recede
later. However, experience has shown
that those who waited Rave gained
nothing. while those who went ahead
with their plans have no cause for
amount of work projected was about
twice as much as the amount of ac-
tual operations.
This feeling is being fostered by
the slump in prices in many com.
modities It should be borne in mind
in the general range of commodities
and those in the housing situation are
not analogous.
Do Not Affect Housing.
1.-The conditions which cause f1uctu-
alton in the prices of general COM
modities do not directly or greatly af-
feet the prices being paid for housing
and. while substan-
TALLY all other commodities have
fiuctuated since the pre-war period
construction costs and income from
property have shown q steady up
ward tendency.
Some of the abnormal prices and
bonuses viii ch have existed in the con-
struction business will not continue
to be paid, but general fundamental
conditions at this time do not indicate
that there is wisdom in Withholding
building operations.
with a general understanding and
appreciation Of these facts the build
ing industry should proceed during
the year 1921 with added momentum
The amount of available skilled labor
and our physical equipment for man
|ufacturing building materials are not
adequate to the development Of activ-
tiles Of such magnitude as will make
possible the early elimination Of the
housing deficit. This gives additional
importance to the necessities Of a
speedy resumption of building activ-
tiles.
"While there has been a general
discussion for some time of prospec-
tive legislation designed to stimulate
building operations, 1t is to be remem-
bered that. such developments gener-
ally move slowly, and it is hardly to
be expected that any help of this ma
ture will be forthcoming soon enough
to affect 1921 building conditions
Moreover, only such legislation as
shall be absolutely fair to all sides
will be Of constructive value, and any
parernalistic efforts which do not
take into consideration the funda-
mentals Of supply and demand will
not prove themselves to be helpful"