The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-28
E1 WORKED
OUT euA I'd
On COST LISTS


4 !
Tho steering committee of the
JOINT conference. in session Thurs
day and Friday last week Is spelL
ing system 1t all times with 4 can't
tai 8.
In session Saturday afternoon.
members Of this committee forum
lated plans that are intended to
make passing the buck" unpopu-
lar.
The joint conference was partici-
pated in by building contractors,
labor. business men and the pub
lie. The conference body proved
an unwieldy one.
The conference was the opening
wedge for the formation Of commit
tees that have az their duties the
obtaining of figures which will
settle widespread arguments and
questions affecting various fields Of
endeavor.
The steering committee Of the
Joint conference of last week nam
ed John Solier, Jr., general con-
tractor. Davenport. as chairman,
ITO supervise future activities.
Charles Reagan. editor of the Labor
Review, was named general secre-
tary. Other members of this COM
mittee are: Rev. R. W. Babcocx,
representing the Moline Rotary
club, and Carl LeBuhn, represent
ing the Davenport Kiwanis club,
are tho representatives of the pub
lie on the steering committee; Will
liam Bunk, general contractor,
Davenport. with Chairman Soller,
represent the employers; P. ]. Carl
son, Carpenters union, Rock Island
with Mr.. Reagan, representing Ia
Dor.
As the result of the meeting OF
these men Saturday afternoon Mr.
Reagan is established in Parlor Z
at the New Harper. as the aid to
the various committee chairmen.
Summons Witnesses.
| With this start toward coordina-
ton. the chairman Of the 12 com
mitees, each having its particula,
investigation work to perform, are
being asked today to make ar
rangements for their committees
to be in session at certain hours
each day at the Harper hotel head.
quarters. There are three room.
at the disposal of these commit.
tees and each committee can BIZ
allowed not less than two hour.
each day.
| Another and more importan,
phase Of this plan is that with thu
committees holding regular SEES
sions system can be put int
effect for the summoning of wit
nesses before the committees.
is foreseen that as the work of tn,
committees progress there will b
need for them to hear more ant
more detailed evidence. ANY com
mittee desiring to interview any
one on matters of importance t.
the progress of the work will max,
known the name of the witness de
sired and such person will be i'm
mediately summoned to appear. II
answer such summons is deemed
duty Of anyone called, according t
the views Of the steering commit
tee.
! Stenographers Take Evidence.
F., Stenographers will take verbat
i'm reports of all evidence given
which will give full record o
the proceedings and forestall an,
possible future discord over claim
Of Misrepresentation.
!, The various committee chairmel
have been so informed of the plan
of the steering committee for con
tducting the investigations and the,
are calling their committees to
gether for organization for tn
work at hand.
). This morning the committees o.
rents and steel met at the confer
ence headquarters to organize TO
beginning their work. The financ
committee met at the Central Trus
bank for like purpose and the la
Dor cost committee met at the of
flee of Mayor Harry M. Schriver a
l O'Clock this afternoon.
Big Conference April ).
The committees are to be givel
until April 5 to complete their in
; vestigations. These reports will
then be rendered to a committe
of the whole, made IN of three rep
resentatives each from every or
ganization which goes to make VI
the life of the tri-cities.
When completed the findings ar
to be, listed in general reports 70
submission to the conference Apri
IS. The IL committees are inyesti
eating the following: Lumber ant
material prices. plaster and cement
steel. brick and tile. paint an!
glass, hardware and electrical sup
piles, finance, transportation
4 plumbing supplies, rent. labor cost
j living cost. The personnel OF TIL
various committees was announced
in The Argus Saturday.
1t was declared that cost of thu
investigation would be light, con
fined to rent for the rooms at tht
| New Harper and salaries for two
stenographers. one Of whom is tx
be hired by the employers and tn,
other by labor. The employers ant
the labor group have agreed Il
accept such costs at equal basis un
less there is offer from othel
sources to aid in defraying suel
expense.
/ The steering committee believe
that plans are laid that will resul