The New York herald., 1922-01-11

doubts over the status of cases and
avoid duplication of work in presenting
evidence to juries.
Mr. Daugherty said the several States
will be relied on to start actions under
their own Jaws in the larger number of
cases which may grow out Of evidence
gathered by the Government agencies.
He said officials in Washington will
lend all possible aid and make their
files available to facilitate the presenta-
ton for trial of cases for profiteering.
II was declared to be probable that
the Government inquiry will eventually
20 into production and retail prices Of
fuel because OF the fact that labor costs
enter vitality into production costs. The
Department of Justice already has
taken cognizarcc of the fact the wage
agreements between miners and opcr-
ators expire on April 1, and confer
ences have been begun looking to a
possible lowering of wages In order that
coal costs may be reduced
Rents soon Near Normal.
Rents soon will he near normal In
New York and other big cities of the
country. according to reports to va
rious branches of the Cove, nment.
Gradual reductions are being made in
every section. In Boston, rents bear the
same proportion to cost of building as
in 1914, 1t Is reported. Big reductions
have been registered In Chicago. Phila-
delphia and other cities.
The greatest building boom in history
Is expected to develop this coming April.
Contracts will be let for thousands Of
homes and apartments this winter, 1t is
predicted The sign "for rent" familiar
In pre-war days. will be put in use again
by real estate dealers.
Approximately $50, ,oo0. 900 is being
spent each month this winter on new
buildings, OF which total almost two
thirds goes for residential structures,
according to reports to the Federal
Reserve Board. For the same period of
1920, the rate of building was about
SIS, 900, 900 month Most of the build
ing now going on is in the Southern
States. where the winter period is so
mild that work can be continued
throughout the year.
Before cold weather set in, States
north of tho Mason and Dixon line re-
ported building contracts at rates not
eQua1ed even in pre-war days. The.
New York district of the Federal Re-
serve banks for instance. in November
reported building contracts greater than
In any year for which reports were
made. Most of the work was for resi-
Dental property. 1t was emphasized.
In New England and the Middle West
a building boom also developed during
the summer and autumn. 1t is these
records which led officials to the belize
that winter has but temporarily post
pcned building activity that will de
veiop into a. real boom next spring.
That means a quick end to the nation
vide housing shortage.
The nation lacks approximately H..
0o0.001 dwellings, and family shelters,
according to an estimate made by the
National Unemployment Conference. To
make UP this shortage would take about
two years at the present rate of con-
struction. 1t would mean steady en-
ploymes.t during that time for abo,
100000 building laborcrs. carpenters,
electricians and mechanics of other
trades.
A big reduction In rents will b.
forced. however during 1922 by tn.
homes and apartments now projected.
ii Is explained. This means the end of
the war period living cost standards.
Food, clothing and most other neces-
stiles have experienced big drop In
prices. Only rents remain near the
levels established during the war period
Residents of New York ana other
cities are paying for milk approximatei,
so per cent. more than before the war
according to reports 10 the Department
OF Labor, while farmers receive only
slightly more.
Middlemen are responsible, delegates
to the National Agricultural Conference
will be told.
How to eliminate some OF the middle