Weekly journal-miner., 1921-01-12
CARPENTERS CONFER
 ON COST OF LIVING
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(Continued from page one)
 ~--~--o-~-~-~-~~~-~>~>~~ matter, because we believe we are right. We aim to show the people that we, are progressive enough to do our part in the bringing about of the necessary increase in building ac tivity. It is my hope as represen- tative of the union, to be able to say to others concerned in the building industry that we, the car 'penters, have done our share and to ask them point-blsnk what their contribution is going to be.
 This is a period of readjustment. Some argue that this element in our industrial life should be first to of fer it's offices and others argue that some other element should be first to act. We are acting, not arguing"
 Two other factors enter into the situation, according to members of the carpenters craft--the contractors and the supply dealers. The re-- moval by voluntary offer of the union of one objection to initiating construction at this time, will put the proposition squarely up to the other factors.
 How it is Figured
 By comparing the cost of an es- timated days supply of the com mon necessaries of life as it stands today with that of period prior to the war, Rogers has learned that while these staples set the working man back $2972 before the war, they now cost him $4268. These, of course, are merely the preliminary figures The wages before the war were $4.5O for eight hours. On the basis of the comparative figures, the present scale could be- cut down to $7.6O.
 Not all the common necessarles are listed in the report. This would be too great an undertaking. Items have been used, however, as control figures, one commodity serving to show the general effect of prices on "a considerable list of allied com modities. For instance, while under wear. sox, hats, etc, are not listed, d suit of clothing is, and the prices of clothing before and since the war tend to show the general effect of all clothing prices.
 Of interest i'll connection with last nights action of the carpenters union. is the following extract from the Weekly Lumber Market Re port" from the American Lumber man." Chicago This report was re- ceived yesterday by the Journal Miner.
 The year opens with feeling of joptimism in all branches of the lun- Der trade. Though immediately after Christmas the volume of inquiries began to increase and today is heavy, purchasing at present is on very slight basis. These inquiries are not expected to result in immed- fate placement of orders, as they arise from inventory-taking by retail Ilumbermen who, by means Of these inuuiries, are seeking to determine what they will have to pay for stocks to fill up items and grades that have been allowed to decrease to dangerous level.
 "One reason for optimism on the part of the lumber trade is the fact that wholesale lumber prices have been so generally deflated; and this action has been very largely follow ed by retailers. In this connection the general public is not aware of the significance or the real size of reduction of B per cent in the sell ing price of lumber. Actually such decrease puts lumber back at the price which prevailed before the sensational advances. For example; Assuming that before the sensational advances a certain grade of lumber sold for $40 a thousand feet and that during the rapid advance in the market the price of this grade in creased 50 per cent or $20, making the selling price 500, wholesale. A reduction of B per cent is equal to $2O, making the selling price the same as before the increase. { GENTLEMEN ASK REMIT OE EnDECT TEADGEC