The Washington times., 1924-08-09
HOOVER URGES
BUILDING IN
WINTER
Seasonal Tradition Costly,
Declares Secretary of
Commerce
By THOMAS e. BROWN,
International NeHa QerHice.


The seasonal ups and downs ex.
perienced in the construction indus.
try could be practically eliminated
II the building season in the United
States were heightened to include
many Of the winter months, when
work could be accomplished, accord
ing to Secretary Of Commerce
Hoover,
This statement by the Secretary
was contained in supplemental re-
port to the findings and recommen-
dations made public by the commit.
tee on seasonal operations in the
construction industries, appointed by
him as an outgrowth OF the Presi.
dents conference on unemployment
in the country several years ago.
Hoover urges the elimination of
the wastes occasioned by this sea-
sonal idleness through the develop
ment of information as to the prob
able future demands for labor and
materials and the institution of con.
structiOn and repair schedules. He
reiterated the committees findings
that custom rather than bad weather
Is responsible for building trade
workers in most American cities be-
ing employed less than three-quar.
tiers of year.
Makes Waste.
1.-The need Of elimination Of tho
wastes of seasonal idleness has
been brought forcibly to the. atten.
ton of the construction industry"
Hoover said, land the public by
reason of high labor costs and the
failure Of building trades to attract
young men to their ranks.
"Lengthening of the building
season would mean greater produc.
ton from the men now en-.
gagged in the building trades and
would also go far toward attracting
capable young apprentices"
He cited the reed of organized
community effort by representatives
OF constructive industries, the pro.
fessions concerned and the public
to find the facts as to local handi-
caps, peaks and depressions of
employment and the kinds Of con-
! struction needed for the elimination
Of wasteful customs. He specifi.
cally recommended the adoption Of
schedules with reference to season
al as well as cyclical conditions,
contending that efforts to encourage
long-range planning of public works
deserve the support Of the public,
legislators and public officials.
He explained that the remedy
does not lie in any form Of Cavern.
ment regulations. The function Of
the committee appointed to investi-
gate the construction industries was
to determine facts and ito point
! a nndH hak l.
with our national conception Of in
dividual and community Initiative"
Can Work in Winter
The committees report states that
the effect Of bad weather on build.
ing operations has been greatly re-
duced and further holds that, with
! due precautions and proper equip
ment, nearly all construction work
can be carried on in winter and at
no great difference in cost.
LAS the methods of handling win
! ter work develop" the committees
report states, "and manufacturers
supply dealers and labor take more
| interest in encouraging winter work,
the cost can be appreciably reduced.
"Forethought in planning and the
use of information as to the sea.
sonal trends will reduce interest on
investments and will release funds
for other productive uses" the re.
port explains in this relation.
Trustees and others charged with
large financial responsibilities have
an opportunity and a responsibility
in cutting down the present
wastes"
The committees report also rec.
ommends that public construction
be deferred when private construc.
ton work is at it's peak. To give
contracts for the construction of
public works by States and mu.
nicipal governments when private
construction work is at its peak
level was declared to be uneco.
| nomical.
Out of 200 questionnaires sent TO
engineers in all parts of the coun.
try by the committee a majority
OF the replies expressed the belief
that public construction work offer
interferred with private construc.
ton work.