Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-01-17

7 \ q large Middle West city an effort
l. has been made to get all these ele-
ments together on a stable basis and a
set program fair to all and at the same
time make possible the resumption Of
construction work
Whose idea it was is not essential to
the narrative The main facts viii do.
They may not be exactly as set forth
here, but in general they VIII be correct.
Here they are: In that city there is
in the municipal government a man Of
exceptional ability. He is quiet, soft
voiced yet determined man. He has the
confidence of the people and deservs it.
Being an engineer he knows construction
work
Being a person of orderly mind he
started out by preparing table show
ing the comparative prices OF every
thing entering into the costs Of con
struction work based on the level of
1913. including the maximum in 1920 and
the prevailing rate late in 1921. The
items in this table included brick, rein
forcing bars, lumber, paints, yarnish,
tiles, iron pipe, plumbing materials, cleo
trio equipment cost of living, wages Of
building craftsmen. freight rates, etc.
This chart showed some remarkable
Irregularities in deflatiOn.
Then he got together data regarding
DullQln8 projects
costs. Next he went out and interviewed
the persons having charge of those prof.
ects and discussed the whole situation
with them, the great worth Of restoring
confidence getting the wheels of indus
try started, etc.
Tt HE archbishop Of that diocese said
1 there were hospitals, parish churches
high schools, etc, which were needed
and which would cost about $40O0,O0l
but which he could not sanction at pre-
vailing prices.
The engineer asked the archbishop for
| a percentage figure on materials and
labor at which he would recommend the
placing of contracts. The archbishop
gave it.
please put 1T in writing" the visitor
/ said.
The archbishop did so.
| The Federal reserve people wanted q
new bank building, but were holding
/ of for lower prices The engineer got
a specific statement as to the reduction
| in material and labor costs that would
| satisfy them.
please put that in writing" he said
| 1t was put in writing.
T Twas the same with the head Of the
4 Jewish hospital, the chancellor Of ;
! great university, q large textile con
Germ. a big theatrical syndicate, tbs
| Scottish Rite Cathedral Association, etc
| please put that in writing" he sale
| to each. And they put it in writing.
! Then he went to the material people
Here" he said. u have pledges foI
work aggregating S15,O000OO If l can ge
| costs down. What will you do? Volume
makes it possible for you to cut. have
no doubt 7 can increase this total tc
/ $50, O0O, OO0, perhoPs $50 ,000,o 00 if all con
cerned do their duty"
The material men told what they
could do in the matter of price over d
! set period of six months or so.
Put that in writing" he sadi.
| Then he went to the bankers He got
| from the foremost fnancier of the city
/ guaranteed rate at whcih he would
make loans on building construction ant
also a cut in commission charges
Put that in writing" he asked. i
was put in writing.
| Next he went to the labor leaders. He
showed the pledges he had obtained
/ He showed also that wages in the build
! ing crafts in that city were the highes
J or nearly the highest in America, car
/ penters, cement fnishers, electricians