The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-10-13
WAGE
REACHES ITS
PEAK
No Likelihood of Labor Cost
Decreasing in Immediate
Future, IT'S Said.

There is no likelihood of reduc-
lions in the cost of building labor
In the immediate future, according
to a survey of the labor situation
in the building industry made pub
lie Yesterday. The survey was COM
piled by s. w. Straus & CO.. based
largely on data gathered at the con-
vention of the building trades de-
nartment of the American Fedora
ton of Labor at Portland, Greg, at
which $4,000 organized building
.. 4 of the country were rep
resented.
..ttitude Of labor as 1t was
expressed at the building trades de-
partment convention and In reports
and statements by the leaders OF
organized labor indicated that in
some trades still higher scales can
be expected with a continuation
of present activities" the survey
states. "All building labor Is en-
ployed at the present time, accord
ing to the reports Of union officials.
Apprentices Increasing.
1.-THE number of apprentices Is In
creasing rapidly, it was announced,
and the attitude Of the majority OF
organizations was indicated as being
favorable to the removal of all re.
strictions. The advent Of these ap-
prentices is expected by labor lead
ers to be a factor in stabilizing
wages within the next two or three
years.
Sterilization Of the industry to
mitigate the evils Of labor migration
and seasonable employment was
urged at the convention.
cit also was urged that, in the
interest Of the entire industry,
building activities should be kept
going normally rather than to en-.
deavor to make up the present
building shortage through abnormal
activities over a short period. The
hope was expressed in this connec-
ton that construction work on
types Of buildings not Immediately
necessary. particularly public build.
ings, be temporarily deferred and
that the efforts Of the industry as
much as possible be concentrated
on home & building with view Of
safeguarding the public against q
continual upward tendency IN
rents.
'Strict adherence to wage con.
tracts In the building industry was
voiced by the convention, which
was warned. by President Gompere
that the obligation upon the unions
and the men was that where there
were agreements in existence with
employers the men must continue
to work from the beginning OF the
excavation to the completion Of the
operation.
Strife Eliminated.
"Jurisdictional strife was report
ed as being largely eliminated. The
controversy between the bricAayers'
and plasterers' unions as to juris-
dicticn on certain work, which was
regarded as a menace to the indus
try, was reported settled, both sides
having agreed to cease hostilities
at once = and prevent future stop
page OF work. The national board
Of jurisdicrional awards was di
rected to continue its efforts to
bring about an immediate settle
ment of the jurisdictional contro
versy between the carpenters and
sheet metal workers.
Minimum wage scales in the
building trades on the eight-hour
basis, as submitted tQ the conven.
ton, showed that labor is getting
the highest wages in history. Brick.
layers throughout the country are
receiving from 81 to $3.50 per hour
carpenters. So cents to SIPS; plas.
terers, 81 to $3.50; building laborers,
rs cents to $1.10; structural iron
workers, 75 cents to $1.371s; plumb.
ers, from 80 cents to $3.50; fathers,
20 cents to $1.621s; electricians, 10
cents to $l.25; stonecutters, rs cents
to $3.50. It was stated, moreover,
that many workers are receiving
bonus payments Of from 81 to 81
per day in addition to the regular
wage scales"