The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-04-28

Chicago, April 2S-Steps to ward off an increase in building material prices and construction costs wh1ch might precipltate another buyers strike" are expected to be taken at national conference of constructor interests which opened here today tor three days session.
 Delegates to the conference. il was stated today realize that building ac- tivlties are increasing and that there is danger of a corresponding increase in building material prices. The conference, it was announced, Will emphasize the necessity of keeping down building costs in order to en- courage maximum construction dur ing 1922.
 The conference is sponsored by the National Federation of Construction the United States Government will cooperate in the work of the confer ence The conference will have three phases:
 Where Construction Stands.
 l. It will endeavor to show by eX- hibits just where the construction in dustry stands today in such work as research, simplifcatiOn and stand ardiZation of designs, distribution, pro- duction and utilization of materials.
 2. It will endeavor to show just what is being done by the various na- tional organization in the conStrUc- ton industry, pointing out the dupli- cation of effort and expense and the economic waste resulting
 3. It will endeavor to determine upon a future policy for the industry as a national unity.
 The important feature of that phase relating to a national policy will be the devlslng of ways and means of keeping down the cost of construction and reducing below the prevailing fig ure the cost of home building, es- pecially the cost of the more moder- ately-priced homes essential for work ing people.
 Who Will Attend.
 A'n"ng the prominent men who are eX' ected to attend the conference and participate in the deliberations are Herbert Hoover, Secretary of the U. S. Department of Commerce; Senator Philadelphia, president National Fed eration of Construction Industries; John H. Kirby, president National Lumber Manufacturers Associa ton; i; Irving B. Illicit, president National Association of Real Estate Boards; Henry K. Kendall, president Anneri- gan Institute 0f Architects; Walter Stabler, controller Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; Robert D. Kohn vice president American Institute of Architects and leading factor in the Building Congress movement in New York City; Alexander M Linnett president U. $. League of Local Build ing and Loan Associations; Walter tKle, Cleveland, president National iBuilding Trades Employers Associa- $tion; Guy c. Mills, president the Ma Etional Association of Builders Ex- tcnanSeS, Dr. w lLSOn Compton, gen eral manager National Lumber Man !ufacturers' Association; General R. C. Marshall, Jr., general manager of the Associated General Contractors of America; Ralph F. StOddard, secretary Common Brick Manufacturers Asso- ciation; L. D. Woodward, deputy man agar American Bankers Association Association; George D. McIlVaine, president Trade Executives Assocfa- ton; L. w Wallace, president Society of Industrial Engineers; E. J. Meh- rem. president Associated Business Papers, Inc.
 More than 1000 architects. en- neers, realtors. contractors, sub-con- tractors, banking and insurance men, equipment producers, material pro- ducers and distributors, constru ction trade press editors and organization executives are expected to attend this conference, which will be held in the Drake Hotel.
 This is the first time a national conference of all elements in the con