The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-02-27
WAGE CUTS NOT
TO BE OPPOSED
Members of Unions to
Accept Reductions
Conference Finds
LANDLORDS FLAYED
Tulsans Urged TO Invest
Money in Homes and
Buildings Here

Tina, ud.v,1..: mamb,rs of local
UNIONS will ctcuuaiy agree 10 work
for less than prices prescribed b.
union scales. even though such
scales are not reduced uy action OF
tho unions. tnnt II such % turn ot
events docs not occur there ar,
plenty OF ldlo uou-uuiou men O..
handle most uf tho building coutcm.
plated here. that "sub-iandiorda'
are largely rt8pouaIblo for tho hlEu
peak ou which rouls are now rost.
ms. and that local BuIIdlng aud loan
associations should be- given moro
liberal financial support by local in
vcstura are somu of tho most i'm
portant statements contained in tho
report of the chamber OF commerce
committee. submttcd To- the board OF
directors aud officially approved.
Three meetings were held within
three weeks attended by contractors,
union men. real estate dealers, deal
cfs In building materials ana uthCts
Go determine whether reductions
would bc volunteered to an cxtout
sufficient to Justify those contcm-
gums ""iu'lh pAuJtNtA lp pIotttu
with them.
Men Pledge I'uil Days. work.
At the last meeting question
mares were collected from repre-
scntatives OF the various firms ana
organizations, who stated In writing
now lar they would bu willing 10
participate IN the proposed general
reduction. Union men refused flat
~ TO mako reduction IN wages,
but stated thoy would assure a full
days work uuhampcred by rcstriG-
lions from heads OF the various
locals
Tho committee condemns the
practice OF contractors In working
ON a percentage basis, and In de-
mhndtng a per cent or commission
from building supply houses on ma
teriala purchased from them.
LuIn.bcr Prices Are Down.
Among other things the report
states that the price OF lumber en-
tcring into the construction VI or
dinaTy buildings In Tulsa had been
reduced 20 per cent to 90 per cont.
and that this price Ia more apt to
Increase than to decrease further.
Other reductions have been pledged
by brick manufacturers. plumbing
houses, sheet metal concerns, paint
dealera. concrete block manufactur-
ers aud hardware companies.
''The unions generally are still on
the peak, or war price, basis states
the committee, and decline to
make any concessions In price, how
ever they have filed statements that
there VIII be no restrictions on the
output OF men In their respective
crafts; that "a fun days work Will
be given for "A full days pay ana
that there shall be maximum pro-
duction for each man employed.
Your committee Is OF the opinion
that this IN itself will. by increased
production. decrease the cost OF
labor bills. Your committee In OF
tho further opinion that buildings
can be constructed In Tulsa at the
present time with experienced and
competent workmcn at n scale OF
wages less than the union scale, and
that there is a sufficient amount OF
such labor seeking employment to
handle practically any construction
work started"
Suh-landlOrds are blamed 90 n
great extent for prevailing high
ron.s, says tho report: These In
termedlate landlords are almost en-
tirely responsible for the excessive
rents charged IN this city. and an
appeal should he made to owners
OF buildings not TO permit the sub
renting OF their buildings at largely
increased prices by any of the
original renters or tonants'
Invest Money la building,
Tulsans are urged by the report
20 invest moro monoy In building
and loan associations which are in
strumental in building many homes
in the city. I'VE desire to call es-
pecial attention TO the fact that in
vestmcnts In building and loan as
soCiatlons are safe, secure, profit
able and tax free, and that through
their channels the monled interests
OF Tulsa can render n very great
service IL they will invest literally
In building and loan company stocks
and thereby furnish additional
money FOR larger construction
plans" It states.
Tight money is preventing the
construction Of many homes, ac-
cordiug to the report. condition
that would be at least partially re-
lievod II building and loan associa-
tions possessed more FUNDS.
in concluding the report, the com
mlttee states its belief that the ma
terial market Is not likely To show
any further decrease within the next
six months, but rather mat thelt
will be an increase.
"From reports reaching your com
mittee from small grocery dealers
merchants and from uthCr sources
your committee IL convinced that
there IS very acute situation of
unemployment among mevhtn,r'
and laborers. owing to tho practca
suspension OF building operations 80
this city. The situation IA so Rcut,
that II is serious problem how
these mechanics are going TO ohtalJ
the necessities OF life, their ctedl
in many instances being practically
exhausted, and In stimulating al
active building campaign tho none,
Interests Of this city will be doinl
a great work in furnishing IA,
necessities OF life TO a large numbo
OF people whose condition IL becom
ing serious, IL not alarming.
your committee has on file de
tailed statements which show yer,
material decline from the pea
prices OF com modities such as gro
ceries and clothing. but no appreo
liable decrease has been made II
rents and prices OF meals al ros
tauranta, cafes and hotels"