Evening star., 1922-03-11
EDITORIAL DIGEST
A New Building Code.

Although President Harding de-
ciined to call a national conference
on housing on the ground that 1t was
a local problem. which the govern
ment could do little to relieve, the
administration, through the Attorney
General. has taken a step which the
press predicts will so stimulate build
ing us to relieve the housing sltua-
ton materially. Mr.. Daugherty has
secured through conference with rep
resentatives of bricklayers. masons
and plasterers' organizations a new
code, which modif1es number of
practices Of the building trades.
which. it is held. have been holding
up building costs and hindering con-
struction. The revised code is enun-
ciated in the form Of decree of
federal court, which provides penal
ties for violation, and. as one writer
points out, more than 100000 men of
the affiliated crafts must abide by It,
Just what this decree will accom-
plish is outlined by the Boston Herald:
1T lifts the limit that has restrict
ed the productive efficiency of the in
dividual workman. 1t permits the
employer to purchase his materials
wherever he pleascs and from any
body who has the right goods to sell,
to abolish the informal agreements
between labor unions and contractors
associations for mutual advantage in
boosting prices and limiting output.
It forbids the use by labor of con-
tractors or makers of material for
the collection of debts or the en-
forcement of claims"
Not the least noteworthy feature Of
the agreement in the way of prece-
dent "is the manner in which 1t has
been accomplished" the Philadelphia
Bulletin thinks. Although, as the
faced prosecution for conspiracy, CO.
ercion and many improper acts in the
restraint of trade and industry, and
could have been proceeded against
under the Sherman law, probably re-
sulting in prison sentences" the union
ports, "to talk 1t over. They agreed
to the error Of these practices" and
they, pledged themselves for the fu-
ture."
The decree aims squarely at some
Of the worst abuses which have been
strangling the building industry, as
various editors analyze it. The first
stipulation will end the "slackerism"
which the Minneapolis Journal says
has obtained wide currency in labor
circles" by which "a standard days
conform to the ability or willingness
of the least eficient workers." the re-
suit Of which has been greatly to
increase costs" Under the new code.
the Journal believes, the efficient
the advantage for himself and for his
employer of his ability"
Putting an end to extortion, the
Boston Transcript notes. ..does not in
fringe upon the Legitimate activities
Of the labor unions: There Is nothing
with the proper efforts Of the unions
to establish hours or conditions of
labor. But the individual workman
will be freed from arbitrary lfmita-
ton Of his output" and his organi-
cation will not be made a bludEeon
in the hands. Of men who would ex-
nioit the home builder and the bust
The Attorney General declared that
1.-THE decree constitutes new bill of
rights for the home builder, the rent
payer. the manufacturer and the
business man who has to build" and
the Richmond Times-Dispatch con-
siders the statement fully 1nstined.
Further, the paper remarks, 1t estao-
fishes "a new policy OF goVernmens
toward labor unions ana .raae .a anu q
these powerful organizations. into
accord with the government FOR the
protection of the paramount risnts
! Of the public whose interests the gov
ernment must serve
/ The New York Times not TOO opti-
misticalIy remarks that the decree
will do much If it lessons s,aa. the ,coas eoss
Of construction, making decent nome
once more an economic possibility
and viii do more III it revives the
wholesome competition which alone
makes stable progress possible" But
the Newark News sees foreshadow-
ing Of a ..salvation for business gem
era1ly" in the agreement. for with the
extension to ali the building trades
Of the principles laid down. and their
enforcement, "the great building IN.
dustry can begin to come up for air"
and the Lexington Leader also be-
up to the rules Of the new code will