Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-27
Building Material
Trust Feared
By German Builders

by UCIAlldAt OAAANOA .
Berlin, Oct. S.-The specter CT
gigantic monopoly in building mate
rails in Germany is raised by critics
of the restoration agreement recently
concluded between Hugo SHINES, the
industrial magnate, and Marquis de
Lubersac. president of the cooper
alive associations in the French de-
vastated areas.
1t is pointed out in these circles
that the combine organized by Stin-
mes for carrying out the contract
takes on the nature of a great trust.
II is fOreseen that the deliveries in
volved will not only constitute a
i.cavy drain on materials needed for
reconstruction at home. but will mean
further rises in building costs which
already are more titan eighty times
higher than they were before the war.
SHINES trust" the critics assert,
will be in a position to dictate the
costs Of construction materials in the
domestic market.
This angle of the deal is viewed
with all the more concern because
ready has reached an acute stage in
Germany. The case of Berlin is cited
as an example. Before the war,
10000 family dwellings were erected
annually in the German capital, but
since 1914 building operations mere
have been virtually at a. standstill.
Thus Beiin's construction alone is
some 100000 dwellings in arrears.
1t is further argued that the de-
liveries of seven mlliard gold marks
worth of goods to France in four and
! one half years must inevitably lead
to further imitation in the German
mark. The amount is computed at
the current rate as equivalent to
some 250 to 500 milliayds of paper
marks. The question is raised as to
how the German money! printing
presses ever will be able to cope
with the demand for currency which
will follow.
One of the bitterest opponents to
the SHINES -Lubersac agreement is
the press service Sozialistische Kor-
respondent.
Commenting on the high praises
sung for SHINES in other quarters
when the deal was announced, this
agency expresses the conviction that
the &c commission accruing to him
was his only guiding consideration.
1t calls attention to the magnatcs
former opposition to the Wiesbaden
agreement and other PREPARATIONS poi
cies. and says: But when Marquis
de Lubersac approached SHINES.
SHINES suddenly became fulfill
ment' politician, Rathenau's heir, and
! the winner of ninety million rold
marks profit"
The Suedieutsche Monatshcfte
monthly publication issued at Mu-
Mich. has published leading article
headed "The Sabotage Of Recon
struction by the French Government
1t contends that the sufferers in the
French devastated areas have long
been in favor of cooperation with the
Germans for reconstruction of the
regions, but were opposed in this by
the French government and French
builders.
In the same issue appears q re-
view of the progress made in East
Prussian reconstruction following the
damage done by the Russians carly
in the war. 1t is cited as evidence
of what might have been done in
/ France had operations been COM
! mencod Immediately after the close
Of hostilities. and had there been the
! will for reconstruction as there
was in Germany
This review states that more than
10000 buildings We're demolished and
some 100000 more or less seriously
| damaged during the Russian 0ccu-
patton in 1914 and 1915. All personal
property of any value belonging to
the inhabitants was taken to Russia.
it alleges. and in February 1915, when
the territory was freed, scarcely a
domestic animal was in evidence
except few half-crazed cats and
dogs"
On the basis of pre-war prices, the
material damage in East Prussia was
estimated at some 1,500,0OO,0OO gold
marks. Before the end of the war,
the review states, more than half of
the destroyed area had been rebuilt
and. because material was then
cheaper, the government saved con-
siderable money by expcdtng the
reconstruction.